Merit Award
Chicago Streetscape Signage Standards Manual
Location
Chicago, IL
Client
City of Chicago, Dept. of Planning and Development
Design Firm
Two Twelve Harakawa Inc.
Design Team
David Gibson (Principal in Charge), Jill Ayers, Patrick Connolly, Jean Lambertus
Fabricators
ACME-Wiley Corp., City of Chicago Sign Shop
Consultants
TYLinn International Bascor
Photography
Erik Kvalsvik
When Two Twelve was first asked to design standards for public signs on all Chicago streets, the city suffered from having no guidelines for the placement of signs, and no useful design standards. As a result, the streetscape had become confused, unappealing and difficult to navigate.
The designers were challenged to reduce visual clutter, to improve visibility and understanding of directional signs and to create a welcoming environment. In addition, they had to streamline the sign production process by creating modifiable templates and specifying uniform materials. The manual was conceived as a working guide for the city as it implements and maintains the new signage standards. The manual and the accompanying compact disc document all of the design features of the system, beginning with an overview of the city's sign types and ending with location and installation guidelines.
Jury Comment
The jury found this to be an ambitious and well-conceived effort to attack the plethora of discordant graphics that make wayfinding in and use of American cities so difficult. The jury in particular praised the fact that the system of graphics seemed all-inclusive, dealing with everything from snow removal signs to transit schedules and stops. All graphics were crisp and clear. The mounting systems were carefully thought out so as to be adaptable to a variety of existing and new conditions. For the new applications, the thinner black mounting pole proposed was a welcome contrast to the ubiquitous galvanized metal pipes seen throughout America. If fully implemented, this program will give the City of Chicago the most integrated and coherent graphics of any American city.