UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding for this South Florida University.
For more than a decade, the University of Miami has trusted our design experience on a number of different environmental graphic projects. With three different campuses, the present day University is an evolving mixture of historic buildings, core architecture, renovated spaces, and new construction. The original wayfinding program on campus has struggled to grow with the expanding University, and much of our work involves creating new signage standards and updating existing graphics to better meet the current needs. Over the last ten years, some of our completed and active projects include the design of new University-wide interior sign standards, new pedestrian orientation wayfinding for the medical campus, a new exterior wayfinding program for the Virginia Key campus, Health District gateway branding, updated directional signage on the Coral Gables campus, University shuttle shelter graphics, historic and public art program signage, GreenU trash recycling graphics and signage, and construction and temporary sign standards and graphics.
A NEW STANDARD
In 2013, we designed new standards and specifications for all of the interior signs on campus. Prior to this, there was no consistency in the sizes, formats and layouts of interior signage on campus, and new buildings under construction had no reference or guidelines to follow for their interior sign program. Working closely with the University architect's office, we developed new specifications for common University-wide sign types that would become the standard for all new constuction, and could be retro-fit into existing buildings over time. The design standards needed to be flexible, and capable of adapting to different University environments and interiors, while still maintaining common designs, layouts, branding, materials, colors, and text treatments. Our final specifications define for each sign type the approved layouts, dimensions, colors, branding use, type styles and sizes, materials, construction, ADA compliance, and typical mounting locations. Since the completion of the initial guidelines, the University has successfully implemented the new system into numerous buildings on campus.
MEDICAL CAMPUS AND HEALTH DISTRICT
The University is a key stakeholder in the area now known as the Miami Health District, and during the past ten years the UM's medical campus has experienced rapid growth and expansion. Many of the projects that we have created for the medical campus are designed to improve awareness of the region and improve visitor direction and orientation within this maze-like District of medical treatment and research institutions. To increase awareness of the District, we designed gateway super graphics that utilize the existing public Metrorail track structures that run along NW 12th Avenue—the 'main street' of the District. This required careful design and coordination with both the FDOT and the Miami-Dade Transit Authority to be sure that the structures were not compromised and that our graphics did not hinder their ability to inspect the supports for stress fractures. To improve pedestrian wayfinding we designed and positioned new orientation maps and signs on campus, and re-structured the location content to make it more legible and user friendly. We also designed signage and graphics for the University's campus shuttle shelters to clearly brand each stop, and distinguish them from the City of Miami shuttles that travel along some of the same route.
DISCOVERY AND EXTENDING THE BRAND
At the request of the University we have explored and conceptualized numerous wayfinding projects aimed at positioning and reinforcing the University's brand on campus and within the community. Building upon the success of the Health District branded Metrorail structures, we explored several different options for bringing similar style branding and wayfinding to the University's Metrorail station in Coral Gables. Other projects include conceptual designs for new vehicular wayfinding signs on the Coral Gables campus, and branded wayfinding for the new alumni center. Today, we are proud to continue to assist the University with its wayfinding needs and deliver thoughtful designs that enhance their campuses and elevates their brand.