Video Credit: Matt Givot Photography

America’s cities and institutions are entering a period of significant change and evolution. People are rediscovering the city center and are expecting a widening list of services and a higher caliber of signage and wayfinding to match. While many factors contribute to the success of a civic environment, the role of effective wayfinding, signage and graphics cannot be underestimated. From downtown districts, gateway entries and directional sign systems, to expansive convention centers, expressive public service offerings and law enforcement facilities, they all require an exhaustive set of unique graphic requirements to ensure their success.

Cities can employ the same techniques used by products and corporations to build a stronger civic personality and better reflect a city’s image to visitors and residents alike. The goal is to create an enhanced sense of place for each by identifying, differentiating, consensus building and reinforcing the primary function of each through understanding the unique visitor expectations.

One City’s new sign program might include monument signs identifying the Civic Center and civic buildings and pedestrian directional and directory maps to direct visitors within the Civic Center. Another might call for a dramatic new gateway placed at its entrance to greet visitors and create a bold welcome. Yet another system may need to help visitors find civic landmarks and shopping destinations by using an existing identity to reinforce the Cityʼs brand throughout the city. And more intimate solutions are often required for specific sites and facilities – they might include donor recognition walls, maps, etc.

Expressive, appropriate and strategic signage solutions are a valuable addition to the community. By enhancing a city’s positive public image, distinctive wayfinding signage can make a city and institution ever more user-friendly to visitors, residents and local employees. Implementing an innovative civic brand strategy can create a more dynamic sense of place.

Hunt Design helps cities serve the public with efficiency and dignity through effective wayfinding and signage programs.

Our services for cities include

• Signage programs
• Signage master plans
• Wayfinding
• Maps and directories

Representative Projects