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Our approach to this project was to begin with extensive research, collecting references, and reviewing signage examples from other towns of similar sizes and geographical make-ups. Establishing this strong foundation of research helped us understand what ideas to pursue and what to leave on the drafting room floor. With clear direction and freshly brainstormed ideas safely in hand, we went to John Day, Oregon, and walked the entire trail system in town. We took photographs and used ArcGIS software to drop pins in locations where signage was needed. After reviewing this with local representatives, we widen our lens to the downtown area, looking at how best to direct locals and visitors to the integrated trail system if they’re staying in the local hotels or stopping for gas on Main Street.
Research and Discovery
Trail Mapping with Arc GIS
Brand & Identity
Signage System Design
Wayfinding Guidelines
In our research phase, interviews with local trail users uncovered the presence of rare bird species and diverse wildlife in the region. Recognizing the importance of educating visitors, we decided to include educational signage in John Day. Additionally, discussions sparked ideas for other interactive signs, including mile markers, signs about local flora and fauna, and historical points of interest. Consequently, we developed a series of interpretive signs and integrated them into John Day's wayfinding guidelines. Our recommendations, based on these insights, were presented to the City Council. The wayfinding system we designed extended beyond the trails and included providing directions to local attractions and conveniences. These included restrooms, sports facilities, dining, the local airport, gas/ EV charging stations, hospitals, and museums. A full presentation of custom icons highlighting these areas of interest were designed and included in a 26-page Wayfinding Guideline documented which we presented to the John Day City Council at the conclusion of our project. This clear and effective guidance will ensure that the City has everything it needs for signing new buildings, parks, or developments they may open in the coming years and decades to come.
To facilitate our signage and wayfinding project in John Day, we employed ArcGIS Online, a cloud-based mapping and analysis tool. This versatile software allowed us to create maps, analyze geographical data, measure distances, and easily collaborate with team members, thanks to its online accessibility. Whether we were hiking the trails or working remotely, ArcGIS's mobile capabilities enabled us to pinpoint exact locations, capture photographs, and add notes to each map marker, streamlining our project's efficiency and accuracy.
Our collaboration with the City of John Day has encompassed a wide range of projects aimed at enhancing their tourism efforts. These include the development of a tourism-focused website, the creation of a fully illustrated children's book capturing the town's rich history and tales from senior residents, the design of brochures and stickers to highlight local activities and events, and the creation of an additional website to promote available land parcels in a prominent area of town; and now finally the design of a comprehensive signage and wayfinding system. Through numerous visits and interactions with the town's residents and establishments, we have forged strong connections, enabling us to walk into local eateries, the school, the library, or the bank and know the people working there by name, and that has been a profoundly meaningful experience for our entire team.
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