Signage

Simplifying a system of signs for a more inviting and visitor-friendly experience.

Evanston Township High School has been a cultural destination in the heart of Evanston, Illinois since it was built in its current location in 1924. Despite many improvements to the school building over the years – including four wing additions in the late 1960s – a complete system of signs had never been installed throughout the massive four-story, 1.2-million-square-foot building.

Working with many staff and contractor teams, I was responsible for planning, managing and implementing the high school’s first-ever signage and wayfinding project. This transformation of space would result in a more accessible and welcoming destination for the general public and an improved experience for students and staff navigating to, through, and from the school’s seven wings and 839 rooms. The project was established to help ETHS achieve the goals and a detailed list of recommendations outlined in this Board Report.

The school district partnered with Cardosi Kiper Design Group (CKDG), a company specializing in signage for educational campuses. Research efforts included a public survey as well as eight (8) feedback sessions with representatives from all target audiences, and a series of meetings with staff stakeholders to discuss existing signage, survey results, desired visual outcomes for signage, and overall wayfinding goals. Additional time was spent touring the school building to audit existing room and building signage. Research indicated that the previous sign system created an intimidating atmosphere for new visitors, students, and their parents because signs contained outdated information and the wayfinding system was ineffective in guiding visitors around the massive school building. Confusion was exacerbated by inconsistent sign types throughout the building, including temporary paper signs created by staff to fill signage gaps. View additional signage project research findings.

Deliverables:

Project Management
Public Outreach Strategy
Stakeholder Engagement
Sign Message Development
Creative Direction / Supplemental Design
Communications Strategy
Email Campaign
Social Media Campaign
Media Relations

Results:

Using this data, a gap analysis was established with CKDG that determined the types of interior signs required to replace current signage with ADA-compliant signage, opportunities to fill signage gaps in the existing wayfinding system, and ways to amplify the use of the current color coding system. A plan also was created to address the room numbering issue, resulting in a coordinated effort to renumber 606 rooms out of approximately 839 total rooms in the school. To complete the sign project, an installation plan was designed in partnership with Allegra Evanston, who also provided printing and installation services for all of the signage.

Press:

‘Illogical and confusing’ signs at ETHS to be replaced by next school year – by Lee V. Gaines, Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune

Evanston Township High School revamps old signage – by Elena Sucharetza, Assistant City Editor, Daily Northwestern

CFO: Evanston Township High School signage project could cost upward of $300K – by Lee V. Gaines, Evanston Review

ETHS launches branding and signage project – Evanston Now

ETHS provides update on new school signage and wayfinding – by Evangeline Semark, ETHS

BEFORE – Examples of old signage within the school building:

Lack of adequate wayfinding system led to make shift handmade signage around the building.

Directional signs used two different naming schemes (Beardsley School / North Wing ) that added to confusion; many signs were worn, hard to read, and had inaccurate information.

Wayfinding system provided little-to-no direction to high-traffic destinations from all approaches, and contained room numbers or locations that were out of sequence, outdated, or illogical.