owntownWayfinding: avis A Design for a Pedestrian D Signage Sytem

Janelle Imaoka June 2012

Downtown Davis Wayfinding: A Design for a Pedestrian Signage System

2012 Senior Project, Janelle Imaoka

Presented to the faculty of the Landscape Architecture Program at the University of California, Davis in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Bachelors of Science of Landscape Architecture

Accepted and approved by:

Heath Schenker, Senior Project Faculty Advisor

Katherine Hess, Committee Member

Jennifer Ivanovich, Committee Member

Stephen Wheeler, Committee Member Downtown Davis Wayfinding: A Design for a Pedestrian Signage System

Janelle Imaoka Senior Project, University of California, Davis

June 2012 ABSTRACT

The intent of this project is to develop a this need and also as a way to encourage walking pedestrian wayfinding signage system for downtown in Downtown. A new pedestrian signage system Davis. will improve navigation in Downtown and the The goal of this project is to design a signage connections between Downtown and adjacent UC system that helps pedestrians reach destinations Davis campus and Arboretum. around Downtown. The system shall minimize This project required a thorough study of visual clutter and integrate well into the Downtown the existing pedestrian use of Downtown, which environment. includes identifying most-visited destinations and The following points highlight the unique major routes taken to get to them. Analysis of the qualities of the design and why this design for a current wayfinding conditions was gathered and pedestrian signage system should be considered consolidated, followed by the definition of goals for and implemented by the City of Davis. The signage the new signage system. The project culminated in system provides signs that: the design of a signage system. The system will not • Help pedestrians get to their destinations only provide visitors and residents with information • Encourage walking for reaching destinations, but also strengthen the • Strengthen Downtown Davis’ identity Downtown identity through graphic elements and • Are cost effective aesthetically pleasing in-ground signage. • Are easy to maintain and install Currently, there is no signage system to help pedestrians get to various Downtown destinations. A pedestrian system was chosen as a way to address

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Janelle Imaoka aspires to be a landscape architect designing public places. She has an immense appreciation for plants and would love to create places in the urban environment that integrate native and low maintenance plants. Outside of her days spent in studio working on projects, Janelle loves to bake. Her favorite desserts to make include blondies and mochi cake and she has a particularly good recipe for gingersnaps. Janelle plans to do a lot of traveling after graduation and in the future. One of the first places she’d like to visit is Thailand.

ii D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my parents to whom I am so grateful for all they have done. They made my college education possible and have helped me get to where I am today.

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank my committee - Stephen Wheeler, Katherine Hess, and Jennifer Ivanovich - for the advice and direction they gave me throughout the project process. Special thanks to Stephen who reminded me to have fun with the project and make it my own. my friends who were my moral support through the sometimes stressful periods and who stayed up with me through some of the late nights. Special thanks to Tien Bach whose keen eye for detail helped me greatly.

iv D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: analysis SECTION 2:programming SECTION 3: schematic design identifying the need establishing sign types 6 schematic design 15 existing signage 1 establishing location of signs 7-13 colors 16 downtown connections 2-3 message schedule 14 branding 17-18 establishing pedestrian flows 4 orientation map design establishing destinations 5 19-21 direction sign design 22-25 typography 26 in-ground sign design 27-32 conclusion 33 sources 34 appendix 35-37

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 v LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1-1: map kiosk 2-12: First & A St. 3-18: Existing Downtown Map GNU Group 1-2: Farmers’ Market banner 2-13: First & C St. 3-19: New Map 1-3: visitor information directional sign 2-14: Firist & A St. 3-20: New map in existing kiosk 1-4: leaning parking directional sign 2-15: Third & F St. 3-21: Directional sign side A and side B 1-5: City Hall identity sign 2-16: Second & E St. 3-22: Elevation of directional sign on existing 1-6: narrow sidewalk. 2-17: Second & F St. lamppost 1-7: UCD-Downtown connection 2-18: Third & G St. 3-23: directional sign at First and E St. 1-8: Arboretum obstructed . 2-19: Fourth & G St. 3-24: directional sign at Second and E St. 1-9: Arboretum connection obstructed 2-20: plan view of sign at First & E Street. 3-25: myriad pro font luckymanpress.com physically and visually at Davis Commons 2-21: plan view of sign at Second & E St. 3-26: Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Improve- 1-10: major and minor paths. 3-1: E Street Plaza ments “welcome mats.” adamtanski.com 1-11: Downtown observation mapping. 3-2: Downtown Architecture 3-27: Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Improve- 1-12: GNU’s major and minor paths GNU Group 3-3: Garbage receptacles ments compass rosette SEGD.org 1-13: destinations 3-4: City logo cityofdavis.org 3-28: Freedom Trail theconstitutional.com 2-1: directional sign blogspot.com 3-5: Arboretum logo arboretum.ucdavis.edu 3-29: Arboretum connection in-ground sign 2-2: directional, Rosemount lazylightning.org 3-6: UCD logo 3-30: Installed Arboretum connection in- 2-3: map kiosk, Berkeley 3-7: Downtown Logo ground sign 2-4: map, London SEGD.org 3-8: rail symbol. 3-31: Glass Pavilion in-ground sign pavilion.org 2-5: in-ground, Boston icahdq.org 3-9: Arboretum symbol. 3-32: Davis Bike Loop daviswiki.org 2-6: in-ground freshtilt.com 3-10: E Street Plaza symbol. 3-33: Conceptual Map 2-7: Downtown entrance and parking lots/ 3-11: Davis Farmers’ Market symbol. 3-34: Installation of Conceptual Map in- structures 3-12: Central Park symbol. ground sign 2-8: decisoin points 3-13: UCD symbol. 2-9: observation mapping 3-14: Farmer’s Market logo davisfarmersmarket.org 2-10: eisting map kiosks and existing light 3-15: Arboretum logo arboretum.ucdavis.edu poles 3-16: E Street Plaza 2-11: map placement master plan 3-17: UCD logo ucdavis.edu

vi D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system INTRODUCTION

Designing a wayfinding signage system This is where a design for a wayfinding requires an understanding of how people interact signage system for Downtown Davis comes in. with the environment to find their way. Wayfinding Implementing a signage system provides a quick describes the process of reaching one’s destination. and a cost effective way to make Downtown Davis This process involves a two-way interaction between – a fully built environment – more navigable for the the wayfinder and the environment. Environmental wayfinder. cues and other pieces of information are given to the wayfinder who uses this information to carry out actions – or movement – towards reaching the destination. Wayfinding occurs in many different settings ranging from the inside of buildings to entire cities (Arthur 1992). The way a city is designed can affect whether it is difficult or relatively easy to navigate it. Designing an imageable city, for example, makes for a city that is easier to navigate. Such design involves the consideration of physical elements of the city such as paths, nodes, and edges (Lynch 1960). When the city cannot be redesigned – which is usually the case – a signage system is implemented (for more information on wayfinding, see appendix).

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 vii

SECTION 1: ANALYSIS identifying a need

A survey of the existing signs are existing signage somewhat ineffective. was gathered by They are very small, and walking Downtown, their green and white which encompasses color palette causes a 32-block area. The them to camouflage types of signs found into nearby tree were banners that canopies. Some signs 1-1: map kiosk. 1-2: Farmers’ Market banner. 1-3: visitor information di- identified destinations, are leaning and need rectional sign. 1-4: leaning parking directional sign. 1-5: City Hall iden- maps, plaza directories, repair. tity sign and a few directional Directional and signs that pointed map orientation signs to information and are addressed more in parking. Currently depth here because the signs do little in they are the main giving information in components of the a clear and consistent proposed pedestrian manner. Downtown signage system. The lacks a uniform signage current directional system. signage is inadequate. In general,

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 1 There is no were also studied. The The routes information that connections – both between campus and guides the pedestrian physical and visual – Downtown at First to Downtown are poor. This problem Street are unclear. To destinations aside is identified in the illustrate, the sidewalk from some parking Connections Concept on the southern side directional signs. and Implementation of First Street between Orientation maps are Plan, which was a B and D Streets is too well placed within collaborative effort narrow for pedestrians. Downtown. However, between the City of It is recommended the signs could be made Davis and UC Davis to that this pathway be more user-friendly identify opportunities improved to create through simplification for improving physical a better corridor and changes in the connections between between campus colors used. Downtown, campus, and Downtown. The Current and the Mondavi poor connection is conditions of Center District. The also due to the lack connections between document also contains of gateways or other 1-6: narrow sidewalk. 1-7: UCD- Downtown and recommendations design elements that Downtown connection; lack of sense of arrival adjacent UC Davis for improving these create a sense of arrival campus and Arboretum connections. to campus.

2 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system 1-8: Arboretum There also lacks draw many people and obstructed . 1-9: Arboretum connection a good connection become an important obstructed physically and visually at Davis between Downtown destination. It is Commons and the UC Davis important that people Arboretum. Currently, can find their way to physical connections the East End Gateway. to the Arboretum Because it cannot from Downtown be done physically are discontinuous or visibly, it will be and narrow, while addressed with signs in visual connections the proposed signage are obstructed. system (City of Davis The pathway that 2006). leads through Davis Commons and its rear parking lot is proposed as the new major corridor to the Arboretum. The new East End Gateway to the Arboretum will

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 3 establishing pedestrian flows F Street G Street D Street E Street

The proposed observations taken 1-10: major and minor paths. 1-11: Downtown

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street G Street signage system during a design studio University Avenue observation mapping. A Street E Street D Street F Street B Street 1-12: GNU’s major and includes designs and GNU Group’s minor paths for directional signs research. Both sources Fourth Street that are currently identified a heavily

nonexistent. In used path along ThirdNorth Quad Third Street California Avenue West Quad University Avenue designing such a Street and E Street. A Street B Street C Street system, it is important First Street was also Second Street Second Street to first identify the identified as a heavily Rice Lane major paths. These are used path because it is First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street the routes along which one of the major routes A Street signs are placed and it leading to campus. It is minor KEY

CIRCULA TION Pr major epared By: is along these routes along these three paths Arboretum Drive VEHICULAR PATHS PEDESTRIAN PATHS

BICYCLE PATHS that pedestrians will that the bulk of the MAIN SITE ACCESS

SECONDAR Y SITE ACCESS need information that signs for the proposed PRIMAR Y VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FLOW

Progr USE am Location: helps them get to their system will be placed. PARKING STRUCTURES PARKING LOTS Do wntow PARKING ENTRANCE n D Cal avis, iforni destination. (For information on MAIN SITE DESTINA a TIONS DESTINA TION ENTRANCES SIGN PROFILE ANAL YSIS ™ Major paths GNU Group and its SPA ™ Work Product Revisions / B were determined using involvement, see ulletins: information gathered Appendix)

from both behavior Checked by:

010111CIV4

Approval:

P rogram Number : ZZ.3067.01 Draw n By: LK Original Is sue: 4 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system 03.29.2012 Scale: As Noted Title: S ign Pro Circu le Analysi lat s ion – ™ Pedestria Sheet: n

© 2011 GNU Group. All rights01.2 reserved. F Street G Street D Street E Street establishing destinations

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street Identifying the important destinations G Street University Avenue

A Street Hattie E Street F Street D Street B Street Weber Museum Regal around Downtown was also needed for determining Theaters

Central Park locations of signs. Once these were determined, UC Davis Fourth Street Farmers’ Market each route used to get to each destination could be

US Bicycle identified and signs could be placed. Hall of Fame Only important destinations were North Quad Third Street California Avenue West Quad

University Avenue Chamber of Comm. selected. Destinations were chosen based A Street B Street C Street E Street Plaza on their significance to Davis culture and the Pence Gallery Second Street Second Street everyday needs of both visitors and residents.

Visitors’ Bureau UCD Campus Varsity Amtrak Rice Lane Theater Station Regal UC Davis Arboretum: collection of various gardens for Theater education, research, and public enjoyment First Street First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue Arboretum terrace garden: a plant collection Davis Commons Davis Commons lawn/seating area: outdoor seating A Street Arboretum Terrace Garden Hattie Weber Museum: history of Davis UC Davis Arboretum Farmers’ Market: weekly event Arboretum Drive Central Park: seating, gardens maintained by volunteers Bicycle Hall of Fame: museum of cycling and its history, 1-13: destinations non-profit Pence Gallery: exhibits, annual events, non-profit Visitor’s Bureau: visitor information Chamber of Commerce: visitor information E Street Plaza: performance area, seating Amtrak: historic landmark Regal Cinemas/ Varsity Theater: entertainment

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 5 SECTION 2: PROGRAMMING establishing sign types

The sign types selected proposed system. give the wayfinder an 2-1: direction- al sign. 2-2: for the proposed Directional overall image of the directional, Rosemount. system are directional signs provide the area (Gibson 2009). 2-3: map kiosk, Berkeley. 2-4: signs, orientation wayfinder with the In-ground signs map, London. 2-5: in-ground, maps, and in-ground necessary information are an aesthetic way to Boston. 2-6: in- signs. Another type of for reaching his or provide the wayfinder ground signs called identity her destination. with information. signs is placed at each This information They do not add to destination. Their comes in the form of the visual clutter of purpose is to notify words, symbols, and the environment and the wayfinder that arrows that guide the should be considered he or she has arrived wayfinder in the correct in every sign system. at the destination. direction. Directional Because the focus of signs are placed along the proposed system the routes to each was more about destination. designing signs that Orientation help pedestrians reach maps are maps that their destination, encompass the area of identity signs were interest. They contain not addressed in the lots of information and

6 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system establishing locations of signs F Street G Street D Street E Street

Determining or pathways that

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street the best location for connect campus with G Street University Avenue A Street E Street D Street F Street B Street directional signs and Downtown. Entrance orientation maps was points are good places Fourth Street based on the paths and for signs, because the destinations identified information given

North Quad Third Street in the Analysis section, there can prevent California Avenue West Quad University Avenue

A Street B Street C Street as well as analysis of the the pedestrian from following five elements: getting lost. Garages Second Street Second Street Downtown entrance are relatively more

Rice Lane points, decision points, important entrance

First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street sidewalk traffic, existing points than lots because poles, and existing they experience the A Street Parking orientation map kiosks. most traffic. Paths that structure Arboretum Drive lot 1. Entrance points are lead to Downtown important because this from adjacent UC Downtown Entrance is where pedestrians Davis campus are begin their journey to important entrance 2-7: Downtown entrance and parking lots/structures their destination. These points for people who are usually locations like come to Downtown parking lot entrances by foot or by bicycle.

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 7 F Street G Street D Street E Street

2. Decision points decision plan (Arthur are places along the 1992). Therefore, signs

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street

pedestrian’s journey should be placed at or G Street University Avenue A Street E Street D Street F Street where paths cross before intersections. B Street at intersections or The decision points any place where the established in Fourth Street pedestrian must choose Downtown were their direction (Lynch predominantly 1960). It is here where intersections along North Quad Third Street California Avenue West Quad the pedestrian will look major paths and University Avenue B Street C Street A Street for the information occasionally, exits to help him or her of parking lots. Second Street Second Street reach the destination.

A sign is useless if it Rice Lane gives the wayfinder

First Street information for Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street reaching a destination A Street before he or she needs 2-8: decisoin points it. People see only the information that Arboretum Drive pertains to their current

8 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT 3. Sidewalk traffic was concentration of observed at every restaurants, parking street to identify the lots, and shade. PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT side of the street that For some streets, experienced more use. traffic was about This side of the street is equal on either side. If where new signs would this was the case, the be placed. Placing signs existing light poles and on one side rather than orientation map kiosks, both was intended addressed below, as a way to minimize determined the optimal visual clutter and cost. side for signage. Placing signs on the side that exhibits more traffic would maximize PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT the signs’ exposure and 2-9: observation mapping use.

Heavier traffic PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED on one side over the other was due to one or more of the following:

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 9 F Street G Street D Street E Street

Howard Way Russell Boulevard 4. The location of into consideration determined that in- Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street G Street University Avenue A Street E Street F Street D Street existing poles is nonetheless. If ground wayfinding B Street

considered secondary pedestrian trafficelements would also Fourth Street to sidewalk traffic. on either side of the contribute greatly to Signs will be mounted street was found to be the system. Locating North Quad Third Street California Avenue West Quad University Avenue on the poles that relatively equal and these in-ground A Street B Street C Street are in the pedestrian suitable poles were elements is different Second Street Second Street right of way and have present, the side on than for that of signs. Rice Lane adequate space on which existing maps Though they will still First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street them for a directional were located was the be used to direct Map Sign A Street sign. Signs that utilize selected side for the pedestrians to various Light pole

Arboretum Drive existing light poles new signage. destinations, they will 2-10: eisting map kiosks rather than requiring a Spacing of signs be used for conceptual and existing light poles new post to be placed will be placed at an purposes, intended minimizes visual interval of every other more for creating clutter and expenses. block. This provides interest. Therefore, 5. The location of consistency, which the locations of these existing orientation is important for the signs will be at primary map kiosks was pedestrian wayfinder destinations where a less prioritized (Joel Katz 2007). they are likely to be factor, but was taken It was seen the most.

10 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system F Street G Street D Street E Street

2-11: map place- Sign Placement Plan ment master plan

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street G Street University Avenue A Street E Street F Street D Street B Street 11

Fourth Street

North Quad Third Street California Avenue West Quad 7 University Avenue 8 9 4 10 A Street B Street C Street

Second Street Second Street 5 6

Rice Lane

First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street 1 2 3 Directional Sign

A Street Map Sign In-ground Sign

Arboretum Drive

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 11 Proposed Sign Locations

2-12: First & A St. 2-13: First & C St. 2-14: Firist & A St. 2-15: Third & F St. 2-16: Second & E St. 2-17: Second & F St. 2-18: Third & G St. 2-19: Fourth & G St.

12 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system New Sign and Existing Signs and Elements

Second Street

First Street E Street E Street

2-20: plan view of sign at First & E Street. 2-21: plan view of Existing street furniture (signs, garbage cans, mailboxes) sign at Second & E St.

Proposed sign

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 13 message schedule

The message schedule is the information – identified in the Analysis section – will appear on usually the destinations – that appears on directional every sign along its route. This consistency avoids signs. Instead of signing every destination on every confusion for the wayfinder (Joel Katz 2007). (For sign, it is more efficient to develop a system. This Message schedule, see Appendix) system involved a classification of each destination. Each destination was classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on their importance. The purpose of classifying destinations is to determine how far destinations are signed (Joel Katz 2007). Primary destinations are the most important either because of their significance to Davis culture or their attendance. These destinations appear on every sign in the system. Secondary destinations are places for art and information for visitors and would appear on some signs. Finally, tertiary destinations are places for entertainment or gathering and eating. Tertiary destinations will not be signed, but will appear on orientation maps. The system of classified destinations will serve to direct pedestrians to the primary destinations from anywhere in Downtown, and then guide them to secondary destinations once they get closer to their destinations. Each destination – which was

14 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system SECTION 3: SCHEMATIC DESIGN

This section consists of general design goals although the pedestrian has time to stop and read and approaches followed with an explanation of the sign, there is still a limit to what he or she can colors, branding, forms, materials, and typography take away (Berger 2005). selected for the system. There are no national standards for pedestrian signage systems. There is a wide array of different approaches to their design so they can come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes. The signage system is usually made specific to the setting by applying the unique characteristics of the setting like its architectural styles, for example. Another consideration that can vary widely is the information displayed on the signs. Because pedestrians can approach the sign and take more time to read it than can a driver or a bicyclist, the sign can contain more detailed information if desired (Farrell 2007). The goals of the proposed signage system are to create a signage system that is both consistent and simple. Consistency is key to a successful signage system, which minimizes confusion and is easy to follow. Simplicity is also important because

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 15 colors

The approach for of blues and black with color selection was to some shades of green use colors that give the with some other colors signs a modern and that complement these clean feel. The logo colors. colors for UC Davis (blue and gold) and the Arboretum (teal) were most influential in determining the color palette. The architecture of Downtown, which has a very modest and 3-1: E Street Plaza. 3-2: Downtown simple look and the Architecture. 3-3: Garbage receptacles. existing logo for the 3-4: City logo. 3-5: Arboretum logo. 3-6: City of Davis, which is UCD logo a blue penny-farthing were also considered. The color palette consists predominantly

16 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system branding

Branding is one logo was intended to of the ways through help instill the layout which a signage system of Downtown as a can display the unique memorable image as qualities of a particular well as become the logo environment. The for downtown Davis for brand for downtown which there currently owntown Davis will consist of is no established logo. images that evoke The logo contains avis a Downtown image black text that stands when seen. To develop out against its light D a downtown Davis bluebackground. brand, a new logo was designed. The design of the logo was based

3-7: Downtown Logo on the Downtown grid. It is contains the Downtown area and depicts blocks as well as the adjacent train tracks for context. This

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 17 A selection To further instill the 3-8: rail symbol. 3-9: Arboretum symbol. 3-10: E Street Plaza of symbols was also images as symbols, symbol. 3-11: Davis Farmers’ Market symbol. 3-12: Central designed as part of the they will be repeated Park symbol. 3-13: UCD symbol. 3-14: Farmer’s Market logo. 3-15: Downtown branding. on the three sign types. Arboretum logo. 3-16: E Street Plaza. 3-17: UCD logo Each symbol represents a primary destination in and adjacent to Downtown. The design of each symbol was based upon an image evocative of each destination. Because the images are familiar and deeply rooted in the destination, they are easier to understand and commit to memory (Berger 2005).

18 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system orientation map

Orientation Also, the map neglects maps offer a lot of to show a connection information and give to the Arboretum, the pedestrian an which is an important overall picture of his destination adjacent or her setting. The goal to Downtown. Another of the orientation map major change was the design is to improve addition of a Parks upon the existing & Gardens category. Downtown map by These areas are simplifying it and excellent places to making it more legible. gather, and contribute The current Downtown to the life of Downtown. Davis map was found The size of the to be difficult to read area depicted on the because of the intense map encompasses colors used for the the whole Downtown background, and the because it is a rather overuse of color to small area (Berger 2005). categorize different areas in Downtown. 3-18: Existing Downtown Map

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 19 Symbols were used to promote simplicity because pedestrians are will to walk ½-mile (a 10 minute they can communicate in a way that words walk) maximum, while ¼-mile (5 minute walk) is the cannot (Berger 2005). The symbols for the primary preferred distance for walking (Davis Connections). destinations along with symbols for parking, The orientation map will replace the current information, and Art & Entertainment were used. map displayed in the six kiosks around Downtown The repetition of the primary destination symbols and a new map kiosk is proposed at E Street between also promotes consistency in the signage system. Third and Fourth Streets. I further simplified the existing Downtown map by leaving out information that the pedestrian does not need. The information a pedestrian will look for are the locations of destinations in Downtown and parking areas if he or she came by car. This is why the freeway was not drawn, and was depicted as a symbol, instead. Each map will depict a “You Are Here” icon to help the pedestrian locate his or her self on the map. Encouraging walking was a major goal of the proposed system. By displaying walking circles, wayfinders can become aware of the time it would take to reach their destination. Pedestrians can walk across Downtown in less than ten minutes. Most

20 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system Map Design 3-19: New Map. 3-20: 10 minute walk F Street G Street New map in existing D Street E Street kiosk owntown avis D Sixth Street Sixth Street Sixth Street walkable. bikeable. livable.

5 minute walk

Howard Way Russell Boulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street 5 minute walk University Avenue

A Street Hattie Weber E Street D Street F Street UC Davis owntown B Street Museum Toomey avisField

D G Street UCD

Hattie Weber Museum Central P 6 min. Regal Park Cinemas P Fourth Street Farmers’ Market P E Street Plaza 3 min. Hickey US Bicycle P Gym Hall of Fame Downtown Map UCD Arboretum 3 min. YOU 10 minut F S G E S D S S t r t t r t r r eet eet eet town eet own e w North Quad Third Street alk ARE avis UCD Campus Sixth Street Sixth Street Sixth Street California Avenue West Quad

East Quad 6 min. D University Avenue Chamber of walkable. bikeable. livable. HERE Commerce

5 minut Freeborn H o Russell Boulev Fifth Street Fifth Street ard Fifth Street 5 minute walk A Street B Street C Street w YOU ARE a Uni v HERE r d e w W

A S Hattie Weber t ersi E S F D B S a Museum y

S alk S UC Davis t r E Street t r

Toomey Field t t r t r r y A eet eet eet eet eet G v enue UCD S t r eet Central P Plaza Regal Park Cinemas P Fourth Street Walk Downtown Davis P Farmers’ Market P Memorial P

Hickey US Bicycle P Gym Hall of Fame Union Pence YOU North Quad ARE Third Street Gallery W East East

Uni Chamber of est HERE Commerce v Q ersi Q Freeborn B A C uad uad S S S E Street t t t r t r y A r eet eet eet Plaza

v P Memorial enue P Union Pence Gallery Second Street Second Street Second Street Second Street Amtrak Varsity Station Theater Amtrak Quad Visitors’ Bureau P Rice Lane Varsity P Station

Regal Cinemas Theater First Street Quad Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street Downtown Visitors’ Davis P Commons Park Shields Library UC Davis P Arboretum Parks & Gardens Bureau A S Terrace Garden t r

eet Information P Parking UC Davis P P Arboretum Museums Art & Entertainment Rice Lane NORTH

Walkable Downtown Davis P Regal Cinemas First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street Downtown Davis P Commons Park Shields Library UC Davis P Arboretum Parks & Gardens A Street Terrace Garden Information P Parking UC Davis P Arboretum Museums Art & Entertainment NORTH

Walk Downtown Davis

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 21 directional signs

Directional signs tell the pedestrian how to get owntown owntown avis avis to their destination and D D appear along routes to the destinations. The Hattie Weber Museum 6 min. major components of a Central Park directional sign are the 6 min. destination names, an Farmers’ Market arrow pointing to the 6 min. correct direction, and E Street Plaza E Street Plaza sometimes distance 3 min. 3 min. and/or timed walks. UCD Arboretum 3 min. UCD Arboretum 3 min. The design UCD Campus UCD Campus intent of my signage 6 min. 6 min. system was to create

YOU ARE HERE YOU ARE a system that evokes a HERE modest and clean feel. Walk Downtown Davis Walk Downtown Davis

3-21: Directional sign side A and side B

22 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system The scallop top of the with the trees – was not sign adds a touch of used for the sign color. visual interest and The directional helps draw the eye to signs are made of the Downtown logo. metal panels and A color palette of light are modular. Each

owntown Davis blue, black, and white destination name as

Hattie Weber Museum 6 min. maintain the clean feel. well as the directional Blue was chosen as the arrows is a separate

E Street Plaza 3 min. major color because panel. The modularity Downtown Map UCD Arboretum 3 min.

10 minut F S G E S D S S t r t t r t r r eet eet eet town eet own e w it is characteristic of alk of the signs enables avis UCD Campus D Sixth Street Sixth Street Sixth Street 6 min. walkable. bikeable. livable.

5 minut

H o Russell B oulevard Fifth Street Fifth Street Fifth Street 5 minute walk w YOU ARE a Uni v HERE r d e w W

A S Hattie Weber t ersi E S F D B S a Museum y

S alk S UC Davis t r t r

Toomey Field t t r t r r y A eet eet eet Davis – appearing in eet eet G

v panels to be replaced enue UCD S t r eet Central P Regal Park Cinemas P Fourth Street Walk Downtown Davis Farmers’ Market P

Hickey US Bicycle P Gym Hall of Fame YOU North Quad ARE Third Street W East East Uni Chamber of the UC Davis and the est HERE Commerce if they are damaged v Q ersi Q Freeborn B A C uad uad S S S E Street t t t r t r y A r eet eet eet Plaza

v P Memorial enue P Union Pence Gallery

Second Street Second Street Amtrak Varsity Station Quad Theater Visitors’ Bureau P Rice Lane P Regal City logo – and is not Cinemas rather than having to First Street Peter J. Shields Avenue First Street Downtown Davis P Commons Park Shields Library UC Davis P Arboretum Parks & Gardens A S Terrace Garden t r

eet Information P Parking UC Davis P Arboretum Museums Art & Entertainment NORTH likely to blend in with replace the whole sign. Walkable Downtown Davis the visual environment. This makes for a cost This is the reason why effective sign system. green – the current color of many Davis

3-22: elevation of di- signs, which causes the rectional sign on ex- signs to camouflage isting lamppost

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 23 Destination names it takes to walk – which destination symbols and directional arrows is never more than ten are depicted on the can also be swapped minutes – people will directional signs. as destination names hopefully choose to They appear in two are changed. The walk over driving or places: next to each signs are double-sided even biking around destination name and and if a destination Downtown. Matt in the conceptual map does not appear on Tomasulo of Raleigh, as a thumbnail at the both sides, a bicycle North Carolina installed bottom of the sign. pattern is printed similar signs displaying The thumbnail can act instead of listing a walking distances to as a quick way for the different destination. different destinations. pedestrian to locate his This makes the panels His intent was to offer or her self – especially interchangeable. people a choice to when a map kiosk is Timed walks to walk when oftentimes not available – and is each destination are people do not even explained in greater intended to encourage consider walking detail in the discussion walking in Downtown (Sacramento Bee 2012). of in-ground signs, and appear along the To promote below. side of the sign. By consistency among seeing the actual time sign types, primary

24 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system Installed Directional Signs

3-23: directional sign at First and E St. 3-24: directional sign at Second and E St.

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 25 typography

Typography was (Arthur 1992). Where another consideration this size was too large Myriad Pro of the sign design. to fit properly, a font Sans-serif fonts are far height of one-inch more legible than serif minimum was used. fonts. The font selected for the directional signs and also used in all other signs was Myriad Pro. Whether a font is legible also depends both on the distance at which the sign is viewed as well as the size of the font. 3-25: myriad pro font The general gauge is that one inch of text is legible per fifty feet of viewing distance. A height of 1.75 inches is commonly used and is the size that was selected for the signs

26 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system in-ground signage

The use of in- 2012). ground signs was The Freedom Trail inspired by several case in Boston is a case studies. The Brooklyn study that inspired the Bridge Pedestrian design of the in-ground Improvement project Arboretum connection. spurred the design for Rather than a set of in-ground signage. words or images as Concrete “welcome signs, the Freedom mats,” compass rosettes, Trail is a red brick path and embedded steel embedded in the 3-26: Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Im- letters were used to sidewalk. Pedestrians provements “welcome mats.” 3-27: Brook- lyn Bridge Pedestrian Improvements direct pedestrians follow the path along compass rosette. 3-28: Freedom Trail to surrounding which they will see neighborhoods from various significant sites the Brooklyn Bridge. in American History. The project is a good example of an in- ground sign system that is both attractive and successful (SEGD

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 27

I used this concept The sign depicts a landscape. this characterized

forests once once forests riparian wide the and

when the North Fork Fork North the when like looked it what imagine

you will reach the Arboretum. Along the way, try to to try way, the Along Arboretum. the reach will you

vegetation, water, food, and shelter – and and – shelter and food, water, vegetation,

of creating a “trail,” meandering river elements: riparian four the of each

meandering river – whose waves represent represent waves whose – river meandering

important habitat types to wildlife. Follow this this Follow wildlife. to types habitat important

was once rich riparian habitat – one of the most most the of one – habitat riparian rich once was

Putah Creek Creek Putah around land The waterway. tum

- Arbore for the design of an dotted with wildlife Davis UC the through

that runs runs that channel remnant a

It is now now is It Davis. of City the in oods diverted to the South fork to prevent prevent to fork South the to diverted

Arboretum-Downtown typical of the riparian was Fork North Creek’s Putah 1900s, early the In connection. habitat that starts FORK NORTH OLD THE This trail at the metal plaque will create a visual at in front of Davis connection to the Commons. It traverses THE OLD NORTH FORK

Arboretum, which is the pedestrian path In the early 1900s, Putah Creek’s North Fork was currently lacking due to through the Davis diverted to the South fork to prevent oods in the City of Davis. It is now its obstruction by Davis Commons parking lot a remnant channel that runs through the UC Davis Arbore- Commons. The sign is and ends at the East tum waterway. The land around Putah Creek titled The North Fork End Gateway. was once rich riparian habitat – one of the most important habitat types to wildlife. Follow this Tribute, in reference to meandering river – whose waves represent each of the four riparian elements: the Old North Fork of vegetation, water, food, and shelter – and Putah Creek. The North you will reach the Arboretum. Along the way, try to imagine what it looked like when the North Fork Fork was diverted to and the wide riparian forests once characterized this landscape. the South fork, but used to run through what is now the 3-29: Arboretum connection in-ground sign Arboretum waterway.

28 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system 3-30: Installed Ar- Each wave boretum connec- tion in-ground sign of the meandering river represents one the elements of the complex riparian habitat characteristic of Putah Creek: vegetation, water, food, and shelter (EDAW 2005). The river portion is painted directly onto the pavement with a stencil, and the plaque is made from a metal alloy and is embedded in the pavement. The plaque displays historical information and the significance of the sign.

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 29 An in-ground “You are here” icon is paint (Bike Loop 2012). sign at the Glass also placed on the in- This simple technique Pavilion in Toledo, Ohio ground sign to locate is how both the inspired the design for the pedestrian on the conceptual map and the conceptual map in- map. This in-ground meandering river of the ground sign. It contains sign will appear at every Arboretum connection a simplified building primary destination will be applied on the plan with pathways and is accompanied pavement. This is a cost arrows that point to by an enlargement effective way to apply various areas inside the of the symbol for the signs and would building. that destination. require reapplication The conceptual This further helps to every few years. map was designed to instill the symbols as act like a simplified memorized images. map of Downtown. It The material depicts the pedestrian selection was inspired paths leading to the by the Davis Bike Loop. primary destinations The Loop is a 12-mile

(represented by long route in Davis 3-31: Glass Pavilion in-ground symbols), laid over that is marked using a sign. 3-32: Davis Bike Loop the Downtown grid. A stencil and green spray

30 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system Conceptual Map Design 3-33: Conceptual Map

YOU ARE HERE

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 31 Installed Conceptual Map 3-35: Installation of Concep- tual Map in-ground sign

32 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system CONCLUSION

Because on the sidewalk and themselves on being there are no national stainless steel letters professionals, they standards for can be embedded should know about pedestrian signage in the pavement. it.” Signs cannot be systems, there are Wayfinding should be expected to solve the endless possibilities thought of as an art problem of confusing for their design as well as a technical floor plans and outdoor (Farrell 2007). Signage application. spaces. But when systems are intended Most considered during to improve navigation importantly, signs the design process in the environment should not be an rather than after, it but can do much more afterthought in the can contribute to the than simply provide design of buildings and design of a navigable information. Signs public spaces. In People, and visually rich setting can express a city’s Signs, and Architecture, (Arthur 1992). unique identity, like Arthur writes, the fact that Davis is a “When wayfinding college town and its design becomes a Downtown is laid out consideration in its on a grid. Signs are own right…planners not limited to panels will be made aware mounted to light poles. that it is a vital part of Images can be painted design, and if they pride

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 33 SOURCES

Books EDAW. Lower Putah Creek Watershed Management Arthur, Paul and Romedi Passini. 1992. Wayfinding: Action Plan. 2005. Vacaville, CA. People, Signs, and Architecture. Whitby, Ontario: Farrell, Michael. 2007. Best Practices in Bicycle and McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. Pedestrian Wayfinding in the Washington Region. Berger, Craig. 2005. Wayfinding: Designing and Implementing Graphic Navigational Systems. GNU Group. March 2012. Downtown Davis Wayfinding Mies, Switzerland: RotoVision SA. Preliminary Sign Profile Analysis™. Davis, CA. Gibson, Davis. 2009. The Wayfinding Handbook.New Joel Katz Design Associates. 2007. Downtown Omaha York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press. Wayfinding Project: 100% Design Development. Golledge, Reginald G. 1999. Wayfinding Behavior. Omaha, NE. Baltimore MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Meetings May 3 2012. GNU Group presents research to kickoff Jacobson, Robert. Et. al. 1999. Information Design. preliminary design. Tom and Sarah. Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Websites AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Art). aiga.org/ Lynch, Kevin. 1960. The Image of the City. Cambridge, symbol-signs. 19 May 2012. MA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The M.I.T Press. Davis Bike Loop Brochure.

Periodicals Freedom Trail. thefreedomtrail.org/about/history_ Sacramento Bee. “Put One Foot in Front of the Other.” 19 notebook.html. 12 April 2012. April 2012. SEGD (Society of Environmental Graphics). segd. org/designawards/5126/5138.html#/design- Documents awards/5126/5138.html. 19 May 2012. City of Davis/UC Davis. 2006. Downtown-Campus Connections: Concepts and Implementation Plan. Davis, CA.

34 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system APPENDIX

A. Background Research on Wayfinding process information. The person uses cues from the Kevin Lynch coined the term, wayfinding, in environment to carry out his or her decisions at the the 1960’s, in his book, The Image of the City (Lynch right time and place. For example, at the approach 1960). Wayfinding describes the process of reaching of an intersection the wayfinder is cued to choose one’s destination. Before the term wayfinding was between left and right. The decision is executed used, the ability to spatially orient oneself in the when the wayfinder makes the turn. environment was thought to be the same as being It is important to mention that the decision able to form a cognitive map. While cognitive plan is not complete beforehand. It is constantly mapping describes the relation of one to the being developed along the wayfinder’s journey environment and their ability to locate themselves as new information becomes available. A decision within an environment, wayfinding describes the plan is structured and starts general with the goal movement and constant change of one’s relation to of reaching destination x, and gets progressively the environment as they journey to their destination. specific with each consecutive decision (Arthur Wayfinding acknowledges the two-way interaction 1992). between the wayfinder and their environment On a citywide scale, wayfinding involves that enables a disoriented person to reach their the physical elements of a city. These elements destination (Arthur 1992). help people construct mental images of the city. Wayfinding is successful if the wayfinder In The Image of the City, Kevin Lynch identifies five is able to reach his or her destination. In order for such elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and this to occur, the wayfinder must do three things: landmarks. Paths include the corridors on which the develop a decision plan, execute the decisions, and wayfinder moves, while edges cannot be traveled on

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 35 but rather delineate boundaries and the beginning B. GNU Group of something new. Districts are sections – like the GNU Group is a bay area-based environmental downtown – of the city. Nodes are concentrations graphics firm that develops wayfinding systems. It of activity or junctions where to two paths cross. was selected by the City of Davis to design a signage Finally, landmarks are physical objects used as a system for Downtown and its work was being point-reference (Lynch 1960). conducted during the course of this senior project. The five elements contribute to what Lynch GNU’s research as well as meetings were used as a calls the imageability of the environment. An resources. This project and GNU’s project possess imageable environment is one that “evokes a strong different goals and methods. image” in the wayfinder. When a city is imageable, GNU Group’s main goals are to get cars to the wayfinder is able visualize the environment, and parking areas efficiently. Its signage system will therefore locate themselves in the environment. consist of directional and identity signs for guiding Unless the city is either brand new or undergoing cars to parking lots. GNU Group’s other goal is to significant rebuilding, it is not entirely possible to direct pedestrians to destinations, which will consist manipulate the five elements (Lynch 1960). of directional signs and identity signs for guiding pedestrians. This project addresses pedestrians only. The goals are to get pedestrians to their destinations through the use of directional signs, maps, and aesthetically pleasing in-ground elements, and to also promote walking.

36 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system C. Mesage Schedule

1 2 location First & A st. First & C St. side side A side B side A side B message Central Park Central Park UC davis campus Farmers' Market Farmers’ Market E Street PlazaUCD Arbore- E Street Plaza tum UCD Arboretum Amtrak Station Amtrak Station

3 4 location Davis Commons Third & F St. side side A side B side A side B message Central Park Central Park Amtrak Station UCD Campus Farmers’ Market Farmers’ Market UCD Arboretum E Street Plaza UCD Campus E Street Plaza UCD Arboretum E Street Plaza Visitors’ Bureau Amtrak Station UCD Arboretum Pence Gallery Bicycle Hall of Fame Amtrak Station Central Park Hattie Weber Museum Bicycle Hall of Fame Farmers’ Market Pence Gallery Hattie Weber Museum Hattie Weber Museum Visitors’ Bureau Pence Gallery Visitors’ Bureau

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 37 5 6 location Second & E St. Second & F St. side side A side B side A Side B message Central Park UCD Campus Central Park Amtrak Station E Street Plaza UCD Arboretum E Street Plaza UCD Campus UCD Campus Amtrak Station UCD Arboretum Bicycle Hall of Fame Farmers’ Market Hattie Weber Museum Pence Gallery

7 8 location Third & A St. Third & C St. side side A Side B side A side B message Central Park Pence Gallery UCD Campus E Street Plaza Visitors’ Bureau Bicycle Hall of Fame UCD Arboretum Amtrak Station Hattie Weber Museum Amtrak Station UCD Arboretum Bicycle Hall of Fame E Street Plaza Hattie Weber Museum Pence Gallery Farmers’ Market

38 D O W N T O W N D A V I S W A Y F I N D I N G : a design for a pedestrian signage system 9 10 location Third & E St. Third & G St. side side A side B side A side B message Visitors’ Bureau Visitors’ Bureau UCD Campus Amtrak Station UCD Campus UCD Arboretum UCD Arboretum UCD Arboretum E Street Plaza Visitors’ Bureau E Street Plaza E Street Plaza Hattie Weber Museum Pence Gallery Bicycle Hall of Fame Central Park Central Park Farmers’ Market Bicycle Hall of Fame Farmers’ Market Hattie Weber Museum

11 location Fifth & G St. side sida A message UCD Campus UCD Arboretum E Street Plaza Central Park Farmers’ Market

J A N E L L E I M A O K A I senior project 2012 39