Old Royal Naval College
Wayfinding & Signage
Studio
Thomas.Matthews Communication Design
Project Scope
Wayfinding & Signage
Role
Design, Artworking, Portfolio Images
The Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) is the centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a long and celebrated 600-year history.
As part of a new brand position and evolved visual identity, a key area was to review the wayfinding and signage across the site. The subsequent findings revealed that visitors often accessed the site without realising and struggled to orientate themselves, making it hard to find key destinations.
The site is porous with numerous entrance points, leading to disorientated visitors. The strategy to help resolve these issues began with ‘Activating the thresholds’ – celebrating the entrance points and raising the profile of the brand. After this first step and visitors were on-site, large ‘heads up’ map signs were introduced to help orientate visitors and helping them on their next step.
The signage was created with updatability in mind. A tray panel system was used across the wall, railing and totem signs – making any future changes a simple process.
An additional requirement was to create a system that on-site partners could use whilst remaining harmonious. Bold colour changes on the sign panels clearly define where you are within the site: Yellow (Old Royal Naval College), Cyan (Trinity Laban) and Royal Blue (University of Greenwich).
Totem signs were a particular challenge. The requirements were: updatable, portable (when filming on site took place), secure, sturdy and to include interpretation.
The final designs were four-sided (two sides for intepretation and two for directions), updatable panels with locking systems and a weighted internal lower section and baseplate including adjustable feet for the variety of different surfaces found the site.
