The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual i The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 2013 ii The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual Created 2001 Revised 2004 Revised 2009 Revised 2013 Prepared for: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Level 6, 66 Harrington Street The Rocks NSW 2000 The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 1 Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Principles for wayfinding 3 Legibility 3 Hierarchy 3 Content 3 Integration 3 3 The wayfinding strategy 6 3.1 Sign typology 6 3.2 Strategy implementation 6 4 Sign design 8 Remote signs 8 Special threshold A signs 10 Special threshold B signs 11 Threshold pillar signs 12 Directional pillar signs 13 Finger signs 14 The Rocks wall map signs 15 Precinct directory signs 16 Street signs 18 Interactive screens 19 5 Wayfinding signage details 20 5.1 Typeface 20 5.2 Information hierarchy 20 5.3 Destination signage policy 21 5.4 Maps 21 5.5 Symbols 23 See also The Rocks Signage Policy 2013 2 The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 1 Introduction This document outlines a policy for wayfinding signage in The Rocks. The policy embraces the development of a directional signage system to provide precise information at key decision points throughout the public domain. It includes designs for elements of the signage system and details such as materials, finish, colours and graphics. The Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual document is volume 3 of the three volumes which make up The Rocks Signage Strategy and should be read in conjunction with volume 1 Signage Policy and volume 2 Commercial Signage Technical Manual. The Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual was originally adopted by the Authority in 2001 and was revised in 2004 and 2009. The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 3 2 Principles for wayfinding Wayfinding is described as the The key principles underlying the Integration strategies people use to find their way wayfinding strategy are: The wayfinding technical manual should in unfamiliar or new settings, based on integrate with, and be visually related their perceptual and cognitive abilities Legibility to existing and proposed signage and habits. Successful wayfinding strategies for neighbouring districts means that the navigator can move Wayfinding information should such as Sydney City, Walsh Bay and in the space from their present location be clearly identifiable as such and Circular Quay. to a destination, even if the location be part of a recognisable system. or the destination is imprecisely known. While clarity and visibility are high The draft City of Sydney Wayfinding Effective wayfinding: priority, the system should also Strategy Report 2012, recommends reinforce an overall corporate identity the city update its wayfinding signage > Creates an identity at each location, or ‘brand’ for The Rocks, as outlined pillar system to provide visitors to the different from all others in volume 1 Signage Policy. city with a more readily legible map > Uses landmarks to provide orientation and a consistent approach across its cues and memorable locations various wayfinding systems. One of the Hierarchy core outcomes is the desire to improve > Creates well-structured paths Wayfinding information should be integration of text, messaging and > Creates regions of differing visual presented in a logical and systematic graphic design across its various character network, which recognises and responds wayfinding signage types, and with to the sequence of: the wayfinding systems delivered > Provides signs at decision points by adjoining land owners. to help wayfinding decisions > External approach to The Rocks The Authority supports improving > Uses sight lines to show what > Arrival at The Rocks legibility, consistency and integration is ahead. > Proceed to primary destinations with the City’s system while retaining in The Rocks its own unique signage style. Improvements will include: > Proceed to secondary destinations in The Rocks > The use of The Rocks 3D perspective drawing to better graphically represent > Arrival at final destination the precinct and orient the visitor to > Exiting The Rocks. the key places of destination > The coordination of type facing, Content colour schemes, graphic motifs and international symbols so City and Wayfinding destination information Authority maps are visually similar should be limited to key places and activities within The Rocks and > The use of radius circles from ‘you to immediately adjacent precincts are here’ positions to indicate walking to The Rocks. distances to key points of interest Temporary wayfinding to destinations > The greater use of directional walking and events within The Rocks will only be trails on maps to take visitors to key available for Authority public events and places of interest for temporary public facilities associated > The introduction of Near Field with events. Communication (NFC) type technology to allow visitors to directly download content from the signs to their mobiles. 4 The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual Figure 1: Sign location map The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 5 6 The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 3 The wayfinding strategy Wayfinding signage is implemented > Interactive screens Pillars that 3.2 Strategy implementation through a coordinated family of signs support Interactive screens may In order to differentiate areas of The of differing size, complexity and visual be located at key entry points into Rocks and provide information about prominence, designed to register and The Rocks and major nodal places more remote areas, The Rocks has been convey messages at key approaches, within The Rocks for the purpose divided into a series of distinct precincts. arrival and decision points through of providing a range of tourist and Each precinct offers its own unique the precinct. visitor information services additional history, character and combination to threshold pillars including: Proposed wayfinding signage of retail, commercial and visitor amenity. is deployed throughout The Rocks – Deliver ‘what’s on’ event and The precincts are: as illustrated in figure 1. other activities to supplement the > Circular Quay West information services of the Sydney While some components of the strategy Visitors Centre > Rocks Square are unique and require customised design, most are standard elements – Deliver ‘where to’ information > Campbell’s Cove which are illustrated in figure 2. to assist visitors to find required > Nurses Walk destinations > George Street North 3.1 Sign typology – Enable interpretive information to be accessed throughout The Rocks > Gloucester Street North The system comprises: – Provide visitors with a larger range (See figure 3.) > Threshold pillars Signs at the of information than printed maps boundaries of The Rocks to indicate To guide visitors from main pedestrian can offer. entry to the precinct. Incorporates routes into The Rocks precincts, a City map facing the departure side The system also incorporates: directional pillars and finger signage and a Rocks map facing the arrival will contain the precinct name with > Remote signage side. supporting pictograms giving information > Special threshold A signage about what amenities can be found in > Directional pillars Guiding signs the precinct. In this way, visitors will be for choice of direction at key decisions > Special threshold B signage encouraged to leave the main pedestrian points. Scaled to suit main pedestrian > Temporary (event) signage routes to explore the more hidden and routes of George Street and Argyle remote areas of The Rocks. Street. Incorporates a Rocks map on > Interpretive signage one side and directional information Precinct pillars and wall signs containing > Street signage. on the other side, guiding to local and detailed maps of each precinct more distant destinations. combined with tenancy listings are placed at strategic points to provide > Directional fingers Provide directional detailed information about each precinct. information at primary decision points at crossroads and in areas where pillars are not suitable. Fingers confirm and complement directions obtained on a directional pillar. > Precinct pillars Directory signs for tenant information in Rocks precincts to provide specific and detailed information. Incorporate a map of the precinct, tenant directory that is changeable and a poster promoting Rocks events. The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 7 Figure 2: Sign family Figure 3: Precincts map 8 The Rocks Signage Strategy Wayfinding Signage Technical Manual 4 Sign design Remote signs Signage has been designed as a family Directional information to The Rocks From east of installations to integrate with the built should begin at key motorist decision E1 Inbound approaching the Eastern environment and the heritage character points approaching The Rocks. These Distributor’s toll plaza of The Rocks. Specific aspects of the should be incorporated into standard design include: RTA signs, as ‘white on blue’ destination E2 Inbound approaching the signs similar to those already used intersection of William and > Detailed maps that provide an for Darling Harbour. Recommended College streets overview of The Rocks and specific locations are listed below: precincts within The Rocks E3 Inbound on Oxford Street approaching Whitlam Square > Sign pillars that are of an appropriate From