University of Essex
Colchester Campus
Studio
Thomas.Matthews Communication Design
Project Scope
Brand Strategy & Identity, Wayfinding & Signage
Role
Design, Artworking, Project Management
Images
© Thomas.Matthews / Jill Tate
From an initial opportunity to design the wayfinding and signage for the new Essex Business School, the scheme worked so successfully that a comprehensive internal and external signage system and graphic approach was developed, leading to an overhaul of the entire campus signage strategy.
The signage strategy clarified what signs should be used where informed by key user journeys – vehicular, cyclist or pedestrian – helping the estates team understand the logic and purpose. Zoning through colour was introduced, separating the campus into three clear areas: North, Central and South.
The landscape undulates and hides key buildings from view depending on your approach, so signage placement followed a breadcrumb approach to aid navigation across campus.
A comprehensive signage toolkit was created, outlining internal processes, signage elements (signage panel system/graphic approach/colour/typography/pictograms/maps) and all signage types.
The creative approach for the signage was developed after researching the history of the campus and exploring the campus – getting a feel for the place. Key inspirations were the brutalist and mid-century architecture, material textures, the modular forms and linear grid details seen across the buildings.
The resulting signage is bold and unapologetic in form, highly functional and legible. To further define each building, textures relative to the materials found within were selected alongside a colour.
Following the success of the system, threshold signs onto the main Colchester campus needed updating, helping signpost the University from the nearby main road.
The solutions had more presence – larger, more durable in the outdoor environment and vastly improve legibility.
Maps were re-designed and introduced across Colchester, Loughton and Southend-On-Sea campuses.
