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Wayfinding Subgroup, April 6, 2012

Subgroup meeting 4/6/12 10:30 am-12:00 pm, HIG 222

In attendance: Melissa Acker, Eric Boyce, Jeff Brown, Kevan Frazier, Debbie Griffith, Don Gordon, Mark Harvey, Ben Judge, Gregg Kormanik, Garrett Male, Patrice Mitchell, Rob Nelson, Christine Riley, Aaron Sanders, and David Todd.

Rob Nelson called the meeting to order at 10:30 am. He introduced Chad Roberson and David Lancor from NC-based design firm, Pearce, Brinkley, Cease and Lee (PBC+L).

Rob asked the Wayfinding Subgroup members to introduce themselves and describe the biggest barriers they believe UNC Asheville has in terms of wayfinding and signage.

  • Lack of signage to indicate Campus boundaries
  • Overuse of jargon without appropriate signage (e.g., quad)
  • Barriers of limited resources
  • Insufficient use of technology
  • Map issues
  • Mislabeling on Google maps
  • Emotional frustration for visitors
  • Bermuda Triangle
  • Safety implications for wayfinding (e.g., 911 addresses with no coordinating information)
  • Parking issues
  • Consider the amount of money that could be pooled from temporary signage
  • Balancing sustainability and visual appeal
  • Coordinating signage with the brand manual
  • Challenge of modularity and flexibility in whatever signage we consider
  • Governance issues with signage and the process haven’t been established

Rob Nelson asked for an update on the status of the interactive map being developed by a joint effort with Information Technology Services and Communication and Marketing. Luke Withrow reported that they continue to develop the interactive map with various layers that can be added and removed (e.g., parking features, academic buildings, accessibility). Debbie Griffith added that Communication and Marketing had recently made updates to the printable version of the map.

Chad Robertson and David Lancor thanked the group for the opportunity to work on UNC Asheville’s Wayfinding project. Because of other projects PBC+L has worked with on campus, they are familiar with some of the challenges that we face, like our topography.

They reviewed some of the topics that weren’t touched on by the group.

  • Main entrance. Do we create a different entrance experience for different constituents?
  • Having something in place for new students in fall.
  • Developing a centralized and organized process for wayfinding.
  • Modes of transportation.
  • The "way" of wayfinding.
  • Options for improving University Heights: One-way traffic or cut off University Heights in front of Highsmith.
  • Appearance of the backs of cars.
  • The issues at the Bermuda triangle.
  • Temporary signage (including quality, placement and adherence to the brand)
  • Secondary wayfinding, admissions space in particular. We need a second layer of wayfinding.
  • Incorporate flexibility with wayfinding.
  • Not everyone will come to campus the same way. There are various paths to Sherrill Center and to admissions.
  • Look at how people are using the campus. There are 176 reserve-able venues on campus.

Additional Feedback from PBC+L and timeline for the project:

  • The constituent feedback provided by our wayfinding survey is invaluable and a time saver.
  • Start looking at the Bermuda triangle.
  • We need a clear and comprehensive wayfinding signage package.
  • Conduct some experiments with mocked-up signage. See reactions, understanding what the design problems are.
  • Topography is an issue.
  • Look at potential growth.
  • Look at the campus as a whole, including the peripheral properties.
  • The branding manual is great. We appreciate that kind of documentation. It helps clarify and enhance the brand.
  • Functional factors of wayfinding: Educational, community use, events, farmer’s market visitors. Wayfinding will help inform, direct and warn.
  • Usability factors, visible, legible, graphically correct, respond to your brand.
  • Technology, materials, how signs are produced, reproducible, temporary, costs considerations. Electronic signage, kiosks, etc.
  • Response to design problem, compare and evaluate, get feedback from the University.
  • Look at human movement, identification options. Study functions, groups, connections between different areas. Symbols, labels, structuring, hierarchy of the signage. Needs a secondary, and a tertiary method.
  • Graphic analysis, refer back to branding document.
  • Develop mock-ups, sketch-ups, presentations.
  • Details, drawings, materials, develop standards, specs, roll it out for public. Budgets and costs, phasing will be developed.

Rob Nelson thanked PBC+L and the Wayfinding Subgroup. The meeting concluded at 12:05 pm.

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