Talking Signs

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Friday October 05, 07 09:41

LANDSCAPING INNOVATION

By Brian Burton

Two Canadian companies recently combined their creative and technical resources to introduce an award-winning innovative new product to the North American marketplace.

Folia Industries, of Huntingdon, Quebec and Voxsys Audioguides of Quebec City launched their new product late last year at the annual convention of the Society of Environmental Graphic Design *, (SEGD) in Miami Beach, Florida. www.segd.org

(*Practitioners in the specialized field of environmental or urban graphics as it is sometimes called include professionals involved in designing and installing "wayfinding" systems, architectural graphics, audio devices and outdoor interpretive or educational signage.)

The signage product, which generated considerable interest at the convention, combines an extremely durable outdoor signage system fabricated from phenolic resin panels (manufactured by Folia Industries of Huntingdon, Quebec, www.folia.ca, with automated audio components. The
" talking sign" created has considerable potential in the architectural, municipal, parks and recreation, and tourism markets.

The product has quickly proven to be ideally suited for use in interpretation centers, aquariums, zoos, museums, parks, memorials, and observation towers. The system is also being utilized for city and building tours, factories, shopping malls and many other applications.

The system is now installed few sites including the Cosmodôme Space Center in Laval and the Laurentides Touristic and educational center near Tremblant, both in Quebec.

According to Alain Blanchette of Voxsys, (www.voxsys.net ) the firm was the first to develop an "audioguide" system that operates without batteries for outdoor sites that can withstand extreme weather conditions and among the first to offer a system that integrates visual information. The visitor carries either a small headset connected to an Audiokey or a card, called Audiotag, used to touch contacts on the panels that activates the soundtracks.

"The basic module for our various products is a miniature electronic case sealed in the Folia panel, which stores, amplifies and distributes audio information." reports Blanchette. "This case is compact and lightweight designed to contain a variety of messages that can be modified at will.

AudioSign is a product that combines solid graphic outdoor signage panels by Folia Industies, with the Voxsys "Audiotour" system. AudioSign is the result of a cooperative effort and shared expertise between the two companies.Folia Industries specializes in manufacturing custom high-pressure laminate signage for multiple outdoor and indoor applications.The signage laminate manufactuered from phenolic resin panels that are impervious to moisture, UV, bacteria, graffiti, scratching, cigarette burns, vandalism,etc.)

This new system is designed to enhance site tours in any tourist setting using special technology to transmit sound through solid material. The system also incorporates features that enable users to individually adjust the volume and loudspeakers that can be connected to entertain a group of people. The product has been extremely well received by exhibition designers and managers of zoos, aquariums, historical sites, museums and parks everywhere in North America. AudioSign received the BEST NEW PRODUCT award at the 2001 annual show of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design.

Wayfinding, Signage and Infrastructure

We do not often think of signage as a component of the infrastructure. However, they are a vital and important part of the urban environment and their design and placement has evolved into specialized field. The term semiotics refers to a discipline originally defined by the linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and the philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce in the early 1970’s. The term actually refers to this study of man's quest for meaning. It is often used however, to describe the formal study of signage.

Research at the beginning of this century by behavioral psychologists helped to define such issues as memory, spatial recognition, and information processing, and began to shed light on how we use our senses to interpret the physical world and execute a plan to "navigate" to a desired destination.

In the 1970’s, researchers began to study how we navigate complex spaces by staging tests of orientation and memory in large building complexes, building interiors and malls. These studies revealed that there were many different levels of ability in "wayfinding" and that the process was influenced by many environmental factors, such as building symmetry, user expectations, language, information from signs, other people, and memory.

Objectives of Signage

Although the materials, construction and design of signs have changed dramatically over the years, the purpose of signs remains the same; to communicate quickly and effectively. Well-designed signage and wayfinding strategies assist in facilitating the design, construction, and management of sites. Well-conceived signage should reflect and enhance the nature and essence of a site and achieve convenience and safety.

Signs can also provide a means to reinforce the site values and long-range goals. At a primary level, indoor and outdoor signage should;

• Be attractive, durable and functional.
• Provide a sense of place in an ever-changing environment.
• Create a welcoming environment in which people move in an orderly, logical, and safe manner throughout a site.
• Assist in circulation patterns that improve the visitor’s ability to navigate and move comfortably within interior and exterior spaces.
• Create an appropriate graphic image and identity that is adaptable.
  Provide a means of integration with the design standards for site and landscape elements.
• Achieve convenience and safety.
• Create a new dimension of experience for the visitor.
• Complement other elements in the landscape.
• Customized Landscape Signage

According to Shannon Wells, Marketing Manager for Folia Industries, customized landscape signage is a functional way to convey and reinforce a theme and message that is consistent with your overall site and building design. "It’s a good idea to establish the scope of your signage and signage graphics during the early stages of the design process" advises Wells. "This enables you to incorporate key signage elements effectively and allows you to provide greater consideration to aesthetics and functionality."

Many projects often involve working with professionals in the field of environmental graphic design, (EGD), a relatively new field compared with architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. Most EGD professionals come from an architectural, industrial design or two-dimensional graphic design background. EGD designers typically combine the skills of an industrial designer (three-dimensional thinking, with knowledge and experience of materials, processes and fabrication techniques) with the skills of a graphic artist (two-dimensional type and graphics layout).

Folia Signs and Environmental Graphics

Folia signs have a 10-year guarantee against fading or deterioration, and the signage panels (fabricated from phenolic resin*), can be shaped, formed and contoured in many different configurations. Folia supplies customized landscape signage for;

• Directional, interpretive and wayfinding
• Signs for zoos, parks, heritage sites, nature preserves.
• Public transportation systems and highway directional signs
• Thermoset Plastics and Phenolic Resins

The field of thermoset plastics has evolved considerably from the early 1900s when Dr. Leo Baekeland discovered that a hard, infusible polymer made from phenol-formaldehyde could lend itself to hundreds of applications. (Bakelite is named after the well-known inventor.)

With it’s excellent properties, products made with phenolic resins* are increasingly being developed, manufactured, and distributed throughout North America and the world. As a result of continual modification and improvement, new applications for phenolic resins are continually being found.

Phenol and formaldehyde are among the most basic building blocks in polymer chemistry. The condensation reaction may be initiated by a number of alkali or acidic catalysts, resulting in a polymer. This polymer, in conjunction with various organic and inorganic reinforcing systems, offers a variety of unique properties and characteristics. The polymer acts as a matrix for binding together a number of substrates such as wood; paper; fibers (e.g., fiberglass); or particles (e.g., wood flour, foundry sand) to form a highly crossed-linked composite.

PHENOLIC-BASED PRODUCTS

• Dimensional stability at elevated temperatures
• Creep resistant
• Excellent fire performance
• Cost effective
• Outstanding durability
• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
• Excellent thermal insulation properties
• Excellent sound-damping properties
• Corrosion resistant

About the Author: Brian Burton is a Member is Standing Committee for Technical Evaluations for the Canadian Construction Materials Commission and is a regular contributor to many leading landscape design and engineering publications. To contact Brian, email him at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Evolution of Signage Science

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Friday October 05, 07 09:33

By Brian Burton

The following editorial demonstrates the growing recognition of the importance of environmental graphic design (EGD)* for wayfinding and interpretive signage projects.

(*Environmental graphic design refers to the planning, design and execution of graphic elements in the built environment. It includes graphic communication systems that identify, direct, inform, interpret and visually enhance the environment.)

The Washington, DC downtown renewal project involved a site with an exceptionally high level of usage and illustrates environmental graphics at its best.  In some respects, this installation also provided excellent examples of the evolution of signage science*.

(*Signage science uses prediction and confirmation of prediction as well as systematic carefully planned experiments carried out either in the laboratory, studio or in model scale. An approach which is much more effective than “trial by error”.)

The project involved a considerable amount of teamwork between the environmental graphic design professionals and management, interpretive writers and other professionals.   The project also involved close attention to what was termed "political navigation".  In simple terms, this meant the EGD team had to meet the requirements and expectations of all the stakeholders involved. 

WASHINGTON DC WAYFINDING

According to David Vanden-Eynden of Calori & Vanden-Eynden/Design Consultants of NYC navigating downtown Washington DC will be a great deal easier in the future! Recently, the well- known firm designed and coordinated installation of over 100 wayfinding signs and maps in Downtown DC and around the National Mall.

Vanden-Eynden, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Environmental Graphic Design points out that these signs will assist the 22 million people who visit Washington, DC every year find their way to the White House, Ford's Theater, or Chinatown. David adds, “Even more signs will be added over the next year including vehicular direction signs and signs hi-lighting the Districts series of Heritage Trails.”

Washington Wayfinding

If any factor could be considered remarkable about the project reports David, “ It was the political navigation required in seeking the consent and approval of the many stakeholders in Washington.  The effort involved receiving input from close to 70 stakeholders and addressing their concerns.  The wayfinding project also involved many presentations about the various components and elements of the design and installation as well as aspects of purchasing, installation and maintenance.”

The actual construction of the signs and wayfinding components involved work with a specialty metals fabricator, a foundry, various extrusions and subcomponents as well as the actual signage panel materials.   “In terms of color, durability size, delivery and quality the graphic panels supplied by Folia Industries Inc are of exceptional quality.” reports David   “In fact, we conducted our own “scratch and burn”, tests that involved our best in-house efforts to destroy the panels.” (Simulating chemical exposure, attempts at vandalism, extreme temperatures etc.) In addition to reviewing the products testing results and specifications, we also talked to our colleagues in design and manufacturing. Our attendance at the annual tradeshow at the Society of Environmental Graphic Design conference allows us to view products in person and talk with the manufacturers.

The Downtown Washington Project won an award from the Society of Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Awards, 2002 Wayfinding; District of Columbia Citywide Wayfinding Program, Washington, DC, Calori & Vanden-Eynden, Ltd., New York, NY cvedesign.com

ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS; The planning, design and execution of graphic elements in the built environment. EGD includes graphic communication systems that identify, direct, inform, interpret and visually enhance the environment.

WAYFINDING: A term used to describe the program of applying environmental graphics and/or architectural sign systems. The art of helping people find their way by utilizing visual communications such as signs, directories, landmarks, edges, paths etc.

Effectively Designed Outdoor Signage

Although the materials, construction and design of signs have changed dramatically over the years, the purpose of signs remains the same; to communicate quickly and effectively.

• Effectively designed environmental graphics are important for identification, direction and traffic control and are an integral part of landscaped environments. According to Shannon Wells, Marketing Manager for Folia Industries Inc who supplied signage products downtown Washington DC, in addition to informing and orientating, graphics provide an opportunity to create, enhance and reinforce an image and theme.

• Signs communicate directly and indirectly using typography, character, pictures, color, and characters. Sign design and fabrication evolved gradually into a form of creative expression and communication that are recognized as cultural and social artifacts.

• Technology advances have led to a rapid and dramatic expansion of materials and techniques for sign production bringing with them bolder colors, enhanced graphics, new three-dimensional forms and animation in signage. The newest technology also brings sound and audio to environmental graphics.

   

Objectives of Signage

Well-designed signage and wayfinding strategies assist in facilitating the design, construction, and management of sites. Well-conceived signage should reflect and enhance the nature and essence of a site and achieve convenience and safety. Signs can also provide a means to reinforce the site values and long-range goals.

At a primary level, indoor and outdoor signage should;

• Communicate effectively and concisely.
• Create an appropriate graphic image and identity that is timeless and adaptable.
• Provide a sense of place in an ever-changing environment.

• Be attractive, durable and functional.
• Create a welcoming environment in which people move in an orderly, logical, and safe manner.
• Create circulation patterns that improve the visitor’s ability to navigate within interior and exterior spaces.
• Be attractive, durable and functional.
• Provide a means of integration with consistent design standards for site and landscape elements.
• Achieve convenience and safety.
• Create a new dimension of experience for the visitor.
• Complement other elements in the landscape in an elegant and timeless way.

Caption; The Downtown DC Business Improvement District, (BID), worked closely with the city to implement a physical improvement program that included brighter and more attractive street lights, top quality signage and wayfinding systems, upgraded sidewalks, new street furniture and landscaping. New streetscapes and uses for public places such as markets and sidewalk cafes are being developed to make downtown DC vibrant throughout the day -- and into the evening.

Photography supplied by Judy Davis of Hoachlander Davis Photographers, Washington DC

 

Orientation maps contained overview, neighborhood, and subway maps. Pedestrian directional signs standout on the streetscape. The design of pedestrian oriented signs works well in historic, contemporary, and unique settings.

The Discover DC signs provided information on neighborhood destinations. Neighbor identification signs let visitors know when they enter a specific area. Simple materials and construction allow for common components among sign types.

Effectively designed environmental graphics are important for identification, direction and traffic control and are an integral part of landscaped environments. According to Shannon Wells, Marketing Manager for Folia Industries Inc www.folia.ca who supplied signage products downtown Washington DC , in addition to informing and orientating, graphics provide an opportunity to create, enhance and reinforce an image and theme.

 

About the Author: Brian Burton is a Member is Standing Committee for Technical Evaluations for the Canadian Construction Materials Commission and a member of the Society of Environmental Graphic Design. To contact Brian email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.bba.on.ca