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Oberlin

CITY OF OBERLIN

Wayfinding  |  Signage Design  |  Brand Development

The City of Oberlin engaged Guide Studio for a multi-phase design process to enhance their city's sense of place and usability. As part of the Guide team, I was involved in an in-depth discovery with stakeholders, an audit of the city's current wayfinding elements, development of brand positioning and signage designs, location plan and message schedule, and a phased implementation plan. 

Work and images property of Guide Studio, Inc.


Project Goals & Positioning Statement

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CONCEPTS

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"Eclectic, Yet Integrated" is based on Oberlin’s history of championing diversity in all aspects of life – race, gender, sexuality, age, thought, architecture and the arts. The city embodies the concept of integration, not only with its history of forward thought and action (the Underground Railroad, women in college, etc.) but also in its growth and layout (the interweaving of college and city). Patterns derived from the eclectic architecture and landscape throughout the city not only represent the many levels of diversity, but because patterns are naturally repetitive, they evoke a sense of connection and integration.

Diverse • Entwined • Genuine • Multi-faceted • Organic • Accepting • Natural • Open • Interwoven • Welcoming


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"Captivating Resonance" is based on Oberlin’s progression — intellectually, culturally and historically. It exudes vibrancy and presents multi-faceted experiences that offer intrigue to viewers/users.

Resonance (noun): 1 the quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating: the resonance of his voice. 2 the ability to evoke or suggest images, memories, and emotions: the concepts lose their emotional resonance. 3 Physics the reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object.

Reverberating • Energetic • Complementary • Stimulating • Eclectic • Progressive • Intriguing • Vibrant • Narrative • Generous


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Final DesigN

"Eclectic, Yet Integrated" was chosen by the stakeholders because the design honors the historic features around the city, makes a statement loud enough to be seen, used and recognized, but also fits into the environment without drawing attention away from said historic buildings, art, and structures.

Each sign type was assigned a pattern and a color from the brand palette so as to create a system of subliminal recognition for the users. In this way, the signs bring a variety of colors throughout the city (a nod to the diversity and eclectic makeup of the city's architecture, citizens, and spirit), but also function as efficient and helpful tools that allow visitors and students to maneuver through the city seamlessly and effortlessly. 

To prevent the signs from appearing too heavy in the open and lush historic downtown, the patterns were die cut out of aluminum panels, leaving a semi-transparent surface capable of mounting to, but also see through.


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