sarah's notebook

Knop Law Primary School opened on a brand new site in September 2010, following the relocation from old buildings nearby.  The project has received numerous accolades for its design, including an RIBA award.

Picto worked closely with architects ADP (formerly GWK) and contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, starting the process 18 months in advance, defining the brief and ensuring a suitable budget was allocated within the project costs.

The end result is a suite of signs which are eye catching, colourful and informative.  The package includes external branding and directional signs, traditional sign-written graphics, three dimensional location graphics and a series of door signs incorporating tactile and Braille messages.

The typography and layout of all the signs was designed to meet with DDA guidelines.  The typeface Century Gothic, selected by ADP so that the perfectly circular “o”, “p” and “a” could be used around the circular glazing for the sign-written graphics.  Where possible easily recognisable symbols have been used to enhance messages.  The colours were chosen to match the palate used for the interior finishes and have been applied to provide good contrast.

External signs feature graphics with a protective lacquer finish and tamper-resistant fixings.  The school logo was modified so it could be cut in solid vinyl colours for the main building sign.  Using solid vinyls keeps the cost down and provides a longer lifespan than other manufacturing techniques.

Three dimensional location graphics: 25mm thick MDF spray painted 2 colours on spacers, simple and cost effective !

Information signs feature tactile and Braille graphics and use pictograms where appropriate. Classroom signs feature paper inserts to display teacher names.

Traditional sign-written graphics wrap around the glazed panels. External directional sign with protective lacquer finish and concealed fixings.

Signs may incorporate tactile (raised) and Braille information to assist people who have visual impairment. The use of tactile graphics reaches a far wider audience, but in our experience the addition of Braille is a minimal extra over cost and creates a good impression.  We regularly use this specification in buildings accessed by the general public although it is not a legal requirement in the UK.

— Keep messages short and jargon free

— The minimum letter size for tactile information is 15mm cap height

— The minimum size for tactile pictograms is 100mm high (where possible)

— Use a simple sans serif typeface and range messages left

— Specify a Braille notch at the start of this part of the message

— Locate signs at the same height and position, pictograms for toilets should be mounted on the door itself with all other signs going to the side of the door on the wall (we generally try to make this the same side as the door handle although this is not always possible).

Tactile signs with Braille mounted onto toilet doors at Gateshead Leisure Centre

Tactile and Braille signs — summary of recommendations for fixing and layout

Really like the recently refurbished toilets at M&S Metro Centre featuring large format whimsical pictograms and showing that signs can be simple, informative and also fun !  Shame they don’t continue through and use them on the directional signs around the now huge store.

At the same time I really dislike the arrows.  The horizontal bar is way too short which goes against DDA best practice for arrow design and they look like a bit is missing.

Nice idea M&S.

Applied vinyl graphics over a metre high onto painted plaster walls at toilet entrances (I did nt measure them !)

Continuing our work signing new and refurbished primary schools, we were commissioned to develop a scheme for Milecastle Primary School in Newcastle.  Working with architects ADP, we have developed a package of external and internal signs branding the school, providing wayfinding and feature graphics using bright colours and simple typography to compliment the building design.

The new school is a comprehensive refurbishment of 1960s buildings.  Built-up aluminium letters featuring the school name are incorporated into the building facade.  A raised supergraphic runs along the main corridor with dynamic silhouettes of children playing.

Classrooms are identified with tactile and Braille signs mounted to the side of each door, incorporating a paper insert for teachers names.  Key spaces such as the library, hall and dining room are identified with 3D graphics.

Raised supergraphic spanning 23 metres runs along the main school corridor

Detail: Built-up aluminium letters, 800mm high by 80mm return depth, powder coated 1 of 5 RAL colours. The reverse side of each letter is left as an open construction. Each letter is fitted onto a flat plate which is bolted through the steel framework, with top support bars.

Part of Durham University, Palace Green Library is in the heart of the World heritage site located next to the iconic Durham Cathedral.  Dating back to 1833, it houses the University’s special collections including early printed books and medieval manuscripts.  Academics and visitors come from all of the world to visit the library and view the collections.  It’s scheduled to display the Lindisfarne Gospels in 2013.

The library is currently undergoing a phased refurbishment upgrading facilities and exhibition spaces. Working with Colin Williams of Inscape Design, we are providing a range of signs, including specialist display graphics in polished stainless steel, high quality architectural banners, poster cabinets, an internally illuminated map digitally printed onto fabric and the first phase of a wayfinding scheme, designed to change and grow as the library spaces are refurbished and developed.

The photo at the top shows polished stainless steel letters applied to a glass display wall.  Detail on the crest is chemically etched and infilled white.  The smallest letters are 35mm high !

Architectural banner identifying the retail space. Double sided graphics are digitally printed onto blackout fabric which hangs perfectly flat.

Polished stainless steel letters on spacer fixings with crest split into 4 sections, painted purple with white silk screen printed detail. The smallest letters are 30mm high. Getting this right is the real test of a good sign installer !

Seemless polished stainless steel logo, Nigel Wright Recruitment, Newcastle © Picto

Occasionally we are lucky enough to be able to specify these top end metal graphics which are fabricated in the States.  They are traditional “built up letters” that are made to such a high quality you can’t see where the material joins at the edge (normally you would see where the face of the sheet material joins the return edge, which is perfectly acceptable in most cases).

We are currently specifying some 10mm deep polished stainless pictograms using this process which will be fitted to walnut finish doors for some very posh toilets in Birmingham.  Full project details to follow in due course.

Gateshead Councils’ £36m Building an Active Future programme has been a three year project to develop and rebuild leisure facilities within the borough, giving residents access to top class facilities and encouraging fitness and well-being.

Working direct with the client and following a competitive pitch, we were awarded the contract to develop and implement a signing strategy to be rolled out to all the sites — two brand new leisure centres at Blaydon and Heworth, and three fully refurbished centres at Gateshead, Dunston and Birtley, all of which feature state of art swimming pools.  This was then carried out to several smaller refurbishments including an indoor bowling centre and football pavilion and a new reception, changing and hospitality centre at Gateshead Stadium.

Our remit was to develop a scheme which would be put into each building as the construction work was completed.  The scope of work covered wayfinding and the identification of facilities, entrance information (opening hours, smoking policy and CCTV), pool safety signs and policy statements.  We were asked to supply robust specifications, suitable for use within high use public facilities and capable of withstanding the additional demands of a chlorine-based environment.  All of the Councils projects have a strong emphasis on access for all and our proposals were evaluated and then assessed on completion by the Gateshead Access Panel.

left: information presented at each entrance using reverse applied digital prints which are cost effective to change when updates are required; right: great emphasis was given to using simple unambiguous language with easy to understand pictograms when appropriate

left: cut out painted aluminium letters and symbols clearly define facilities within each centre; right: signs within pool areas are powder coated aluminium finished with anti-chlorine lacquer and fitted using either stainless steel screws or bonded using 2-pack epoxy resin to withstand the damage caused by chlorine

About three months prior to each buildings completion, we met with the client and went round the facilities, establishing how they would operate and what signs would be required.  We then prepared and submitted a full schedule of signs, including locations and fixing positions for feedback and sign off.  Throughout this process the client remained committed to presenting information consistently and to a high quality specification.

left: facility signs with tactile and Braille graphics are mounted to the side of doors at a consistent height throughout all the centres; left: studios and meeting rooms incorporate robust A4 paper carriers, the client is committed to keeping their communications to a high visual standard

Frosted film applied to glazing at Jesmond Road Primary School, Hartlepool. Architect: ADP © Picto 2011

As well as complying with building regulations Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings 2004) glass manifestations offer a wealth of opportunities for applying graphic decoration to buildings.  This may be anything from simple circles, squares or other decorative shapes, more complex patterns, branding, information (for example opening hours, details of services, mission statements), wayfinding or full colour printed images.

To meet with the regulations clearly defined manifestations are required at two levels on glazed doors and panels in public and non-domestic buildings, 850mm to 1000mm and 1400mm to 1600mm, providing sufficient contrast from both sides in all lighting conditions.

Left: Forest Gate Library, London — photographic image printed onto clear film (architect FaulknerBrowns) Right: Bede 6th Form Sports Centre, Billingham — etched vinyl figures © Picto 2003 & 2009

Materials and production techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated.  Self-adhesive films are available in a range of etched finishes and tints, coloured vinyls can be solid, translucent or transparent.  Full colour graphics can be printed onto optically clear film at very high resolutions in CMKY and white ink. Results can range from the very subtle to bold and bright vibrant colour.

Toku Restaurant, Regent Street — Stylish interpretation at this Japanese restaurant incorporating graphics, intricate pattern and modesty screen (unknown origin)

Finally remember the sizes required to meet with the regulations are a minimum…images can be as big as the space available !

Following on from The Mind of a Wayfinder (posted on 19th October), this is how most projects start out…as scribbles in my current notebook, often supported with site photos on my iphone.  Luckily I can (mostly) understand what I meant once I start the process of detailing everything up…

Directional sign at the Wheelwright Centre, identifying the East stairs and directing to rooms, toilets and back to the Central hub, with colour coded horizontal bars © Picto 2011

We’ve just completed our second project for Kirklees College, a package of interior wayfinding signs for The Wheelwright Centre, part of the campus at Dewsbury.

The Centre was formerly Wheelwright Grammar School for Boys and is now home to the much respected Batley School of Art & Design.  A large Victorian building with 135 rooms over six levels, it’s been extended over time and sits in its own grounds.

All the walls along the corridors are used as display spaces for student work (a really nice feature of the building) so directional signs are kept to a minimum at key junctions.

When we first talked to the College about wayfinding within buildings we were told that previous attempts had not worked that well — many of the College’s buildings are complex spaces which users find difficult to find their way around, department names on modular directional signs and directories needed frequent updating, the high spec system used in some buildings was easily damaged and both costly and time consuming to replace.  They liked the idea of colour coding levels and had recently put up some low spec signs to test this idea.  We were asked to suggest a new scheme, incorporating the colour coding, which was then put into one of their smaller buildings as a prototype phase.

The first thing we did was simplify the material specification, focusing on robustness and finish to address the issue of damage.  Identification, information and directional signs are manufactured in sheet aluminium which is painted and silk screen printed with a protective matt lacquer finish.  The signs are fitted using concealed fixings.

Wayfinding is based around the room numbering system.  Each room is clearly identified by its unique reference with the first two characters representing the building and level.  Rooms are then included on directional signs and directories, which also feature key facilities such as learning resources, places to eat and toilets.  Accessible routes are also included on directions where appropriate.

Typical floor directory

Each level has a directory, located at key access points (generally at entrance points and by lifts and stairs) which includes a building directory and a plan of the floor you are on showing room numbers, key facilities, lifts and stairs with a “you are here” marker.  Artwork for the directories is set up by Picto and printed out on to rip-proof poster paper which is sandwiched between two sheets of toughened glass.  The glass is supported on security fixings which can only be removed via a special tool.  Changes can be quickly incorporated and new posters output and fitted by the College, making it cost-effective.  The College’s system of colour coding and chevron branding runs through all the signs.

This very simple scheme can be adapted to the specific needs of a particular building, for example the glass directories were replaced with printed foamex in a space used by students with special needs.

left: The Wheelwright Centre front facade, right: colour coded 3D graphics are used to draw attention to the student social space located in the basement

Implementing the scheme in the Wheelwright Centre had its own challenges.  Because of the way the site has evolved and been extended at different times it is a labyrinth of corridors, levels and staircases, making to difficult to know which level you are on, find your way to a specific room, let alone back out again !

At first we really struggled with how to direct people around this building.  During the survey we just had to keep walking round and round until a logic could be established.  The hub of the building is the lift and staircase which runs around it, giving access to every floor — we called this Central lift & stairs (using symbols for the lift and stairs).  There are three other staircases which give good access — the West stairs runs between Levels 2, 4 and 6; the South stairs runs between Levels 1, 3 and 5 and the East stairs between Levels 3 and 5.  All the walls along the corridors are used as display spaces for student work (a really nice feature of the building) so directional signs are kept to a minimum at key junctions and always incorporate the direction back to the Central hub.  The student cafe and social space, located in the basement level are given added prominence using 3D colour coded aluminium graphics.

New signs at the Wheelwright Centre, left: clear identification of levels using the colour coding, right: room number incorporating chevron detail

The College have just asked us to look at a third, equally as challenging building…watch this space !