The Environment and Visitors Deserve Our Respect

Well-planned, easy to read, and graphically pleasing signage—sensitively sighted and eco-friendly—honor both.

Almost nothing at the time seems more annoying to hikers than to have a hodge podge of mis-matched, oversized, and unattractive signage greeting them at the trailhead. Or, for fishers, boaters, hunters, and campers, facing a barrage of confused, unreadable, and incomprehensible regulations and difficult-to-decipher paper versions of maps that have been hastily slapped on a board behind a well-worn acrylic window.  This lack of regard for the visitor experience is not only disrespectful; it also defeats the primary purpose of signage—to provide information that is most needed, when and where it is most needed, as unobtrusively and as attractively as possible.

Our respect for the environment is equal to the value we place on providing visitors with optimum experiences.  Both go hand in hand. They also lie at the heart of the effort to preserve each natural area and provide green space for urban and suburban dwellers.  For us, that means not only designing signage and kiosks that respect the environment, but also products that are sustainable and eco-friendly.

For Terrabilt, the challenges presented by signage in natural settings have clear solutions that can be simplified and augmented by good, utilitarian design. By using fonts proven for their readability, varying sign sizes presented logically and hierarchically, consistent graphics that provide a unified look and feel, we develop signage systems that work because they are based on how humans comprehend information. 

Utilitarian design affects both content—words and graphics—as well as materials.  Stripped to their essentials and employing good, clean design enhances communication while durable, versatile products that can be easily managed over long periods of time result in greater visual consistency and longer product life cycles.

The Process

The goal of our design process is to develop appropriately scaled assemblies and accessible graphics that are well thought out—but not extravagant. We create graphics that “package” a park for visitors by anticipating and accommodating their need for identification, wayfinding, and visitor information, including safety. We accomplish this by designing a consistent system of attractive, appropriate, and easy to read panels that reflect the professionalism of the park system management while going lightly-on-the-land.

First, Terrabilt conducts a preliminary evaluation of client requirements, along with an on-site survey.  The survey allows us to photograph the areas where signage is needed and experience the trail or park for ourselves. This preliminary work is essential in developing a sense of the scaling and sizing each site needs, as well as to help determine proper placement and orientation.

Second, working collaboratively, we develop with you the Criteria for Success. That becomes the document that describes the functional and aesthetic attributes you want. Third, we select the right product and accompanying content that best fit those attributes. We then submit a plan that summarizes your stated objectives, how the recommended products meet those objectives, and a budget that details all the expenses.

Once we have the okay to proceed, we create several life-sized mock-ups that we set up where the signs or kiosks are to be installed so that the Terrabilt/Park Team can understand how they will look and feel in the environment and make any changes, if necessary.

As we go along, we document program standards, as well as specs, into a printed and digital Manual that can be used by your team for additional work or repairs.

At Terrabilt, the design & planning process is always collaborative and transparent.

Experience       Analysis        Standards                  Sign Hierarchy          Documentation

Experience

No two parks are the same. Terrabilt designers become familiar with a park’s unique system. We analyze park resources and operations and identify the function of existing signage. We learn what the visitor needs to know for a safe and enjoyable park experience that protects the resource. Knowledge gained from our decades of experience designing for outdoor spaces and natural environments helps us provide clear options for your sign program design

Analysis

Terrabilt staff has technical expertise and experience; we provide program analysis, planning and graphic design services. We can also work with park staff or consultant designers selected by park agencies as requested.

Survey

The Terrabilt team surveys sites and consults with local staff to learn about present usage, requirements and challenges. Items may include:

 

Standards

Terrabilt develops graphic standards adaptable to all aspects of a program. Typeface, type size, color, formatting, illustration and symbols support function. These elements, anchored by a clear map, relay messages visitors need. Signage supports park functions and represents its identity.

Sign Hierarchy

Terrabilt works with clients to create signs that welcome, orient and engage a visitor with clear and effective messaging. Design, both aesthetically and functionally can create visual order. Our modular system of panels provides a way to unify and organize guidance,informational and instructional signs, for attractive, orderly displays that are easy to manage.

Documentation

Once designed, sign program standards are documented as grids, templates or other formats. Standard designs that are used at all parks are created as “catalog” entries. Structures are specified for sign type/application. We involve park staff and provide a client with guidelines on sign use, placement, sizing, etc., to insure that programs are consistently signed at each park within a system. Our goal is to empower each park system to own planning. Terrabilt is also equipped to assist with unique applications.


Applications  |  Structures  |  Sustainability  ­|  Mapping  ­|  Planning+Design