Norwegian Library….

Take a look at the apple garden in this library. It is stunning. The library: Norwegian School of Management. I love the clean lines, lack of clutter and beautifully designed furniture.

These are some of the design concepts I would like to use. Nice.

Signage working paper

I have started writing a working paper on a signage strategy for the library. I feel like the sign police but already I have found myself wanting to be very prescriptive and inflexible.

Some of the ideas I would like to introduce are:

1. Font - one font family - no pretenders tolerated
2. Absolutely no clip art - no exceptions to this one
3. Using templates to ensure some consistency
4. A palate of colours
5. Library brand or message
6. No signs to be stuck up with sticky tape
7. All signs to be in frames or holders
8. Reduce, reduce, reduce signage

We have so much visual pollution we need to clear out some of the clutter. After taking down a slue of signs in a couple of weeks ago the place looks much better and no-one is missing the signs.

Signs, signs and more signs

I am starting my foray into the world of signage and wayfinding. One of my objectives for this year is to get the library signage under control. Not easy with 6 campuses. But today I found some useful resources to get the ball rolling. If signage and wayfinding is your thing feel free to send me suggestions/recommendations. I have a feeling this project is going to be a big one.

• Flickr Library Signs - from the sublime to the ridiculous you will find examples of both in libraries
• http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/WayfindingSignage.pdf - few years old now but filled with practical suggestions for signage
• Wayfinding design guidelines
• San Francisco State University - Signage Policy
• Library as place (2006)
• Great post on bad signs from the Swiss Army Librarian
• University of Manitoba Library - Signage Guidelines
• Useful starting point  - Library Support Staff.com