University of BristolSignage guidelines

Senate House

Physics

The Hawthorns

Arts

Social Sciences

Mathematics

Medical Sciences

Behind the University of Bristol Signage

Scheme is a simple aim – to make the

University Precinct more ‘legible’ and welcoming

to visitors and the University community.

The scheme is about communicating the right

information at the right place and creating an

integrated wayfaring system for pedestrians, riders

and drivers. It is about getting from A to B and

on to C as easily and efficiently as possible with

the aid of clear, accurate, high quality information.

This guide enables anyone involved in the provision

of signs to follow a carefully thought-through

approach to their design, production and installation.

Introduction

CONTENTS

1 Philosophy

2 Hierarchy

2.1 Orientated map panel

2.2 Directional fingerpost

2.3 Main building sign

2.4 Department and number

2.5 Number

2.6 External grounds

2.7 Foyer directory

2.8 Floor area directory

3 Precinct areas

3.1 Precinct symbols

4 Off-precinct

4.1 Stoke Bishop

5 Branding

5.1 Colour

5.2 Typeface

5.3 UoB logo

6 Materials, finishes

and fixings

7 Sign location

8 DDA compliance

9 Preferred suppliers

1 Philosophy

The City of Bristol has an award-winning signage system (part of

the Bristol Legible City initiative) which has become a model for

other city-centre schemes in the UK. The University’s signage

scheme has been designed to complement, and have strong

visual associations with, the Bristol Legible City signs. The linkage

between the schemes reflects the close relationship between

town and gown and should be helpful to visitors to the University.

The University signs have been designed as a family, with each

element supporting the others and creating a stronger University

brand across the Precinct.

2 Hierarchy

The Signage Scheme works as a hierarchy, taking people from a

broad understanding of the geography of the Precinct to the location

of particular buildings and areas within them. It is intended to be

readily understood by first-time visitors and by students, staff and

alumni. The hierarchy comprises these elements:

i. Precinct area

ii. Road / Street

iii. Building name / Department

iv. Floor

v. Room / Individual’s title

It is not necessary to apply all the above information to every sign.

However, the information used always follows the suggested order.

Senate House

Physics

The Hawthorns

Arts

Social Sciences

Mathematics

Medical Sciences

2.1 Orientated Precinct

map panel on a directional

fingerpost: positioned on

main arterial routes.

2.1

2.2 Directional fingerpost:

positioned at points

where secondary

wayfinding is required.

2.3 Main building:

positioned either in

front of, or directly

on, key buildings.

Senate House

Physics

The Hawthorns

Arts

Social Sciences

Mathematics

Medical Sciences

Senate House

Physics

The Hawthorns

Arts

Social Sciences

Mathematics

Medical Sciences

TYNDALL AVENUE

Central administration and general enquiries

Senate House

There are eight primary signage types:

2.2

2.3

2.4 Department + number:

positioned either in front

of, or directly on,

departmental buildings.

2.5 Number: positioned on

the building exterior

by the main entrance.

34 TYNDALL’S PARK RD

Social Sciences and LawEconomics, Finance andManagement

Politics

34TYNDALL’S PARK RD

2.4

2.5

2.7 Foyer directory: a slatted

sign positioned inside each

building entrance.

NOTE: to aid the user and

maintain a uniform look, it

is recommended that one

signage system is used

throughout a building

rather than different

approaches floor by floor.

2.8 Floor/area directory:

slatted signs positioned

at wayfinding points

within each building.

Avionics Laboratory

Vice-Chancellor’s Room

Workstation laboratory 1.19

Dynamics Link Area

Electrical Teaching Laboratory

Staff Common Room

Aerospace Department Office

Central Design Office

Classroom 0.73

Design Studios 1 & 2

Earthquake Link Area

Graphic Design Unit

L Hydraulics Laboratory

Workshop and Laboratories

M Junior Common Room

Library

Mechanical Dept office

Rooms 2.1-2.62

BLADE Seminar Room

Civil Department Office

Classrooms 1.7-1.8, 1.59-1.60

Engineering Maths Department Office

Engineering Maths PC Laboratory

Faculty Office – General Enquiries

Lecture Theatres 1.15, 1.18

MEng Design Laboratories

PC Laboratory 1.16

Postgraduate Office

Pugsley Lecture Theatre

Andrew Robertson Room

2

Ground floor

1

Queen’s BuildingCANTOCK

ENGINEERINGSecondFirst

MezzanineLower Ground

Ground

i

iG Earthquake Link

Ground floor

Design PC Lab

Exit

Ground floor

Design PC Lab

Design Studios

Aerospace HOD Office

Aerospace Dept Office

Graphic Design Unit

Classroom 0.73

Earthquake Link

Exit

Ground floor

Staff Common Room

Andrew Robertson Room

Electrical Teaching LabsElectrical Teaching Labs

2.7 2.8

2.6 External grounds:

Information and/or

directional, positioned

within the grounds of

University buildings.

Used in conjunction

and always secondary

to Main building signs.

3 Precinct areas

In order to add cohesion to the disparate parts of the University,

the Precinct has been divided into five areas. Bounded by the

main arterial roads, each area is named, colour-coded and has an

identifying symbol to simplify wayfinding. This coding is carried

across all primary signage types.

Precinct map: as seen

on the orientated precinct

map looking north.

3.1 Precinct symbols: used

in conjunction with the

precinct area colour.

Important aid for those with

defective colour vision.

Cantock Royal Fort Tyndall Woodland Wills Pantone: 260 Pantone: 349 Pantone: 2747 Pantone: 166 Pantone: 187

Vinyl: Avery 868 Vinyl: Avery 734 Vinyl: Avery 852 Vinyl: Avery 848 Vinyl: Avery 770

BS: 24 C 39 RAL: 6029 RAL: 5002 RAL: 2004 RAL: 3001

4.1 Example: Stoke Bishop,

encompassing the

University sites in that area.

4 Off-precinct

Colour coding and identifying symbols are

currently being developed for Off-precinct sites.

If you require Off-precinct signage, please consult

with Alan Stealey, University of Bristol Gardens

and Grounds Manager.

Stoke Bishop Pantone: 7483

Vinyl: Avery 766

RAL: 6002

5.1 Colour

The starting point for all

the primary signage is the

area colour, identifying

approximately where the

person is located. The

area symbol appears either

white on the area colour or

in the area colour on white.

All other information will

appear as black type on

a white background or

as white type on a

background of the

area colour. For colour

specification refer to

3.1 Precinct symbols.

5.2 Typeface

Helvetica Neue is the

University’s signage

typeface, selected for

its legibility and flexibility.

Different weights can

be used to illustrate the

signage hierarchy. The

use of italicised faces is

not recommended.

5 Branding

It is very important to create consistent branding to maintain and

strengthen the University’s image. The five area colours plus black

and white form the complete Precinct signage colour palette. Off-

precinct sites will not adopt the Precinct area colours. The only

typeface used is Helvetica Neue. The University of Bristol logo is

applied in its principal colours or in white on the designated colour

background. The Precinct symbols appear on every sign.

There is no deviation from these basic principles.

35 Helvetica Neue Thin abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

45 Helvetica Neue Light abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

55 Helvetica Neue Roman abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

65 Helvetica Neue Medium abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

75 Helvetica Neue Bold abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

85 Helvetica Neue Heavy abcdefghijklmNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890

5.3 University of Bristol logo

The University logo appears

on most external signage in

its principal colours of red

and black on a white

background. When using

the logo on a dark coloured

background (eg External

grounds), its elements

should appear white.

The University logo is

placed in the left-hand

bottom edge of signs.

The minimum isolation

area around it is always

respected. (Refer to Visual

Identity guidelines at

www.bris.ac.uk/cms/

pro/visualidentity)

An example of the

typographic fonts and

weights used together

with the position formula

on a main building sign.

ROYAL FORT

Institute for Advanced StudiesRoyal Fort Annexe

Minimum isolation area

Vinyl specificationfor University logo

Gloss Black

Avery 770

HELVETICA NEUE 55 CAPS

Helvetica Neue 55 RomanHelvetica Neue 55

m 1200mm

650mm

Front faceCap = 1/4 of x

s

s

s

y

y

zz

x

x

6 Materials, finishes and fixings

The choice of materials has been carefully considered so that the

appearance of the signage reflects positively on the identity of the

University. Use of good quality finishes and materials will ensure

longevity and a lasting smart appearance. The system requires

durable materials and fixings that will minimise vandalism, facilitate

easy changes to graphics and be low on maintenance.

Annotated sign:

shows suggested

materials, finishes

and fixing methods.

650mm

200mm1200mm

2 x 50mm square profile postsAluminium posts, powder coated silver finished with anti-vandal gloss lacquer

Ground level

Vinyl type and coloured blocks are applied to panels and then finishedwith anti-vandal lacquer

Formed aluminium panel, stove enamelled white

Sign panels secured using rivetsthrough sign trays

50mm

Front face

Top

Double sided

Avery 800PF series (852 Sapphire Blue)

Avery 700 series (770 Red)

Gloss Black

850mm from paved surface

TYNDALL AVENUE

Arts and Social Sciences Library

{

Sign Design Guide

The following book is

recommended reading

for DDA compliance: Sign

Design Guide. Peter Barker

and June Fraser, JMU and

the Sign Design Society,

ISBN 185878 412 3

7 Sign location

The positioning of signs is important and care is taken to ensure

that they do not cause an obstruction and will not be obscured

(by plants, parked vehicles, deliveries, etc). The primary signage

types provide sufficient flexibility to suit the Precinct environment

- for instance, it may be more appropriate to position a free-

standing sign to one side of a building of historical and/or

architectural merit than to fix the sign to the building itself.

8 DDA Compliance

All elements of the University of Bristol signage have been

carefully considered to meet the criteria of the Disability

Discrimination Act.

9 Preferred suppliers

The following companies have direct experience in

producing signage systems for the University of Bristol.

Totem Design Consultants. Design and project management.

www.totem-design.co.uk Tel: 0117 9625000 Contact: Len Upton

DMA Signs. Sign production company. Especially internal slatted systems.

www.dmasigns.co.uk Tel: 01372 363808 Contact: Sue Willman

Stewart Signs. Sign production company.

www.stewartsigns.co.uk Tel: 023 8025 4781 Contact: Sharon Longman

Wards of Bristol. Sign production company.

www.ward-signs.co.uk Tel: 0117 9553385 Contact: Geoff Hickling

University of BristolSignage guidelines

www.bristol.ac.uk

Produced by Building Services

For further information, please contact: Alan Stealey, Gardens and Grounds Manager

© University of Bristol 2005, Senate House, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TH

Design: www.totem-design.co.uk