Toronto Streetscape Elements, Urban Design Ideas Competition.

Toronto has it right. They have a competition to Redesign streetscape elements within their city. Link Here.

I Especially like the "Tree Pit Grates. helping denote specific neighbourhoods. Here are some more ideas that Dunedin, New Zealand could look at.

Creating a building’s theme.

How signage plays a role in creating a building’s theme. 

Developing a signage program requires a delicate balancing act for many reasons.

First, many agendas often conflict with one another. Many architects sometimes believe signage defaces their masterpiece.  The end-user or project manager, the general contractor, may relegate signage to the lower tier of priorities when crunching budgetary numbers. Local officials, who often concoct sign codes, may also not be receptive to  needed changes to accommodate signage. 

Last, but not least, the environmental-graphic designer and sign fabricator routinely negotiate a minefield of codes, short deadlines and tight budgets to deliver a satisfactory end product.

Because of the complex, intertwined nature of environmental graphics, a successful solution often requires an expert to design and orgainise things like directional graphics, room-ID placards and other wayfinding signage. All these play a vital role in familiarizing visitors to the buildings amenities, whereas exterior building graphics undertake the dual tasks of identifying the building and providing graphic reinforcement for its architectural identity.

My advice, don't leave it to the last minute. It's as important as the architecture and a holistic approach is best.

Signs for the digital age – in cardboard

What makes a good wayfinding system?

I Found another great resource here about wayfinding. Arrows and Icons Magazine.

The concept of wayfinding is an important part of any well designed environment. When visiting a strange new place, viewers need to be able to find their way to their destination. A good wayfinding system will allow them to reach their destination easily, quickly and (hopefully) with as few headaches as possible. So what things make a wayfinding system successful? See Here.

The perfect Wayfinding font.

Having designed wayfinding signage for the past 15 years, I have always limited my font use to typefaces like Helvetica, Meta or FF DIN to improve the legibility of a typeface (at distances). But have now found this research focusing on Designing the ultimate Wayfinding typeface.

Ralf Herrmann has given us this gem. The research is solid and makes good sense. Read for yourself here at OpenType.

Kiss and Ride?

On our last trip to Taiwan I was riding on their very fast Bullet Train and at one of the stations, I found this sign.

"Kiss and ride".

At first it really didn't make any sense to me. But in a funny way (if I stop thinking like a westerner). It makes perfect sense. Imagine two snooker balls meeting on a table, They meet and kiss-off one another to part on their own journeys.

Anyway my point is, Wayfinding signage at Airports, Train stations and any public spaces need to communicate to many different cultures. International standards are an important aspect of any signage programme, that shouldn't be overlooked.

Wall graphics, to get you thinking.

IMG_6811
Originally uploaded by daiukun

Anything can be done. here is a digital print on a wall Designed at SHoP Architects. 290 Mulberry showroom installation.

Gym

Gym
Originally uploaded by I like

Here is a great use of the environment for advertising. Says it all really.

Pentagram do it again

Pentagram has designed the identity and environmental graphics for the recently refurbished Launchpad, an interactive gallery aimed at schoolchildren in the London Science Museum.
Pentagram are not scared to weave graphic design into the fabric of the building to enhance signage and to communicate ideas.

William Morris Ironwood Chair

Father of the Arts and Crafts movement, William Morris had it right. Designer must be a craftsman. It's not enough just to be a designer.

What's the G with the DCC?

Because I'm a sign fabricator I notice every new sign in the city. This one was not so hard to miss. I think the Dunedin City Council need to have a little talk to their contractor about this little error in judgement.

At first, I thought it might be a clever design. Maybe it is?

Reverse Graffiti

Great idea for a water blaster. Very possible and I would like to find a project to use this medium.
San Francisco’s Broadway tunnel is a highly traveled thoroughfare in the heart of the city. Over 20,000 cars, trucks, and motorized vehicles pass through it per day. Its walls are caked with dirt and soot, and lined with patches of paint covered graffiti from days gone by. Reverse graffiti artist “Moose”, and the power of Green Works plant based cleaner. Created this impressive artwork.

Typographic Trees

why not associates have added some new work since I last looked. ‘typographic trees‘ is a very exciting-looking work in progress for Crawley (UK) library that once again shows why not’s mastery of environmental typography… I lived in Crawley for 3 months while on my O.E.

Where's the bathroom?

This is a clever way to promote a wayfinding business,  Clip Art type Package sets or to order...

New Zealand Ministry for the Environment,

This link from the Ministry for the Environment, about Urban Design Protocols, case studies, Action Plans and the Value of Urban Design: The economic, environmental and social benefits of urban design. Lots of reading and Pdf Downloads.

THE NEW ZEALAND URBAN DESIGN PROTOCOL

The Urban Design Protocol is (quoting from the text) a voluntary commitment by government, local government developers, design professionals, educational institutes and others to undertake specific urban design initiatives. The actions that signatories take will, together, make a significant difference to the quality of New Zealand towns and cities.

The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol mission statement calls for “a significant step up in the quality of urban design in New Zealand, and a change in the way we think about our towns and cities”.

Christopher Doudney, University Architect, University of Otago.
Web resource and paper.

Dunedin City Council Street signs and markings.

The Dunedin City Council say on their website...

"Contact the DCC if you think we need new street signage.
or
*Think more signs or markings are needed.
*Have noticed incorrect spelling or another flaw.
*Notice a road marking or sign is missing or damaged in some way".

Dunedin City Council

Postal: PO Box 5045,
Moray Place, Dunedin 9058
New Zealand.
Tel 03 477 4000
Fax 03 474 3594

Ministry for the Environment Urban Design Toolkit

The Urban Design Toolkit is a living, web-based resource.

 
The Urban Design Toolkit is a compendium of tools that can be used to facilitate high quality urban design. For some, the Toolkit will provide an important resource, assisting them in the application of quality urban design projects. For others, the Toolkit may provide increased insight into the breadth and depth of urban design and a starting point in identifying how to achieve quality design. The Toolkit includes a wide range of tools that are typically used by a number of different professions, both in New Zealand and overseas. The bringing together of these elements into one resource will enable a broader understanding of potential tools and provide a wider knowledge base to different professions.

Dunedin Townhall and Townscape issues.

Proposal for the re-development of the Dunedin Town Hall,
Proposal suggests any options which have not have been investigated, and to specifically comment on the functional, operational, legal, heritage, planning, urban design and architectural issues which arise when the Dunedin Town Hall is Re-developed.

Take note about Dunedin "townscape experience". That is, integration of Historic sites/would significantly enhance the public enjoyment of the city.

Wayfinding has been overlooked. Perhaps a minor consideration. 

Pedestrian Wayfinding in Timaru CBD

Findings from Report by Rodney Tolley
prepared for Timaru City Council. I wonder if anything has changed?

Dunedin has a similar issue and should be addressed.