COVID-19 Signage and Wayfinding
Covid-19 presented significant design challenges; companies across the world have responded by rethinking their environmental layout and functionality. Education First (EF) was no exception, as the team resolved to create a safe and usable workplace by initiating a pilot signage and wayfinding program in their London Headquarters, with the goal to expand it to their offices and schools worldwide.
Agency
EF Education First Architecture & Design Studio
Practice Area
Client
EF Education First
Industry
The Challenge
The objective was to establish and implement a clear signage system to designate circulation pathways and safe areas for employees. Wanting employees to be safe and also feel safe, the team worked towards creating a functional system with a friendly, reassuring tone and purposefully chose sturdy but temporary materials to install an underlying sense of hope: this situation isn’t going to last forever.
Project Vision
With an accelerated timeline of only a few weeks, the team sought out a solution that was user-friendly, inexpensive, easily updatable and straightforward to replicate for EF environments worldwide. The designer began by looking at existing pandemic signage solutions and resolved to intentionally avoid visually loud warnings and a “hazard tape” aesthetic; they not only wanted employees to be safe, they also wanted them to feel safe.
Michael Franke
Michael Franke
Michael Franke
Michael Franke
Design + Execution
The signage and wayfinding system successfully guides users throughout the office whilst allowing for physical distancing, communicates where employees may sit, and clarifies how many people can safely gather in enclosed spaces. The system has also been implemented in several other Education First offices and schools around the world, providing in-person physical distancing guidelines for all areas of EF’s business. The signage and wayfinding system successfully guides users throughout the office whilst allowing for physical distancing, communicates where employees may sit, and clarifies how many people can safely gather in enclosed spaces. The system has also been implemented in several other Education First offices and schools around the world, providing in-person physical distancing guidelines for all areas of EF’s business.
Michael Franke
Michael Franke
Project Details
Social distancing does not have to change the atmosphere of the spaces we work in if signs are as well integrated as these. The color palette and shapes turn the requested behavior into a natural way of navigating the space.
These safety signs are quirky, uplifting, delightful, and well-integrated into their architectural context. I appreciate the combination of wood posts, vinyl on glass, hanging elements, and easels of different sizes. As we all re-enter spaces of public gathering after the pandemic, we will need to learn from projects like this to ensure that our signage can make people feel safe and welcome.
Design Team
Fiona Kennedy (creative director)
Jenny Kutnow (lead environmental designer)
Sebastian Avendano (lead architect)
Charlotte Birrell (designer)
Carolina Carter-Johnson
Francesca Resenterra (project manager)
Collaborators
Mödel (signage printing and fabrication)
MX Display (signage printing and fabrication)
Castle Woodwork Limited (stanchion production)
Photo Credits
Michael Franke (photography)
Open Date
March 2020