AB Design conducted a wayfinding analysis of the Buffalo

General Medical Center facility which consisted of five

existing buildings and one new building. The existing

buildings were added at different stages and presented a

diverse and inconsistent interior design. Floors within each

building had independent numbering systems

generating number duplication and confusion for the end

user. A new numbering system/color code was established

for the patient rooms to avoid misguidance and number

overlapping. An Alphanumeric system was created

combining letters and numbers, the letters A, B, C, D,

identify the elevator cores and emphasize the accessibility

to the vertical circulation.

Medical Terminology: AB Design conducted research to

evaluate the use of terminology, pictograms and numbering

systems related to signage and to incorporate suggested

improvements.

We developed sign location maps to incorporate in a kiosk

at the new addition’s main entrance.

SAMPLES OF WORKClient: Kaleida Health SystemProject: Buffalo General Medical CenterLocation: Buffalo, NY

AB Design conducted extensive research and

numerous interviews with personnel and end

users to determine the main wayfinding chal-

lenges. A system was proposed to apply the

concept of “subway lines” that represented

paths that will take visitors and patients to the

multiple destinations. We designed an simple

and clear interior sign system and an exterior

sign package the reflects the architectural fea-

tures and materials of the most recently added

buildings.

SAMPLES OF WORKClient: Erie County and University at BuffaloProject: Erie County Medical Center CampusLocation: Buffalo, NY

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

EMERGENCY

E

ENTCLINIC

NON-INVASIVECARDIOLOGY

RADIOLOGY

UROLOGY

F

NUCLEARMEDICINE

ULTRA -SOUND

DENTALCLINIC

GICLINIC

EEG/NEUROLOGYCLINIC

ORTHOCLINIC

CENTRALREGISTRATION

H

G

INTERNALMEDICINE

SOCIALWORK

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTPARKING RAMP

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHOUTPATIENT CENTER

SPECIMENCOLLECTION

SURGERYWAITING

TRAUMA/BURNWAITING

DKMILLER

SURGICALCLINIC

SPECIALTYCLINIC

VASCULARLAB

HGFE

PATHSKEY

ESCALATOR

RESTROOM

ELEVATOR

YOU ARE HERE

Pulmonary

DESTINATIONS

FIRST FLOOR

c

SAMPLES OF WORK Client: Erie County and University at Buffalo, NYProject: Medical Campus Signage for ECMC, a University at Buffalo Teaching Facility Location: Buffalo, NY

AB Design developed comprehensive urban campus wayfinding system. The

campus signage addresses the connection between the vehicular and pedestrian

paths of circulation and the area buildings. The system includes directional,

identification, parking and gateway entrance signs. The interior signage for the

buildings complements the exterior wayfinding.

SAMPLES OF WORK

AB Design developed a wayfinding and signage program

for the Hospital which consisted of a 12 floor main

building and an adjacent 3 floor medical office building.

Both buildings are connected thorough bridges with

other Kaleida Health facilities, parking decks and public

transportation.

A new numbering system/color code was established for

the main building as a continuation of the system

developed for the adjacent Buffalo General Medical

Center continuing with the alphanumeric concept in

which the main building was assigned the letter J and

the Medial Office Building the letter K. A room number

includes building number, floor and room number (e.g. K-352)

All Floors in the main building were assigned a color and

a theme. At the Medical Office Building, all clinics were

assigned a color and an animal. Footprints of the animal

in the hallways direct users to the different clinics.

Client: Kaleida Health SystemProject: John Oishei Women & Children’s HospitalLocation: Buffalo, NY

Jacobs Institute CafeSeminar Rooms

UB Incubator20/20 WellnessRestrooms

Client: University at BuffaloProject: Clinical & Translational Research CenterLocation: Buffalo, NY

AB Design developed a wayfinding and signage strategy for

this medical research center that combines different tenants

occupying four floors of the research facility.

We developed a color coding and letter identification for the

different areas of the building, related to the elevator cores, to

aid the wayfinding process.

SAMPLES OF WORK

SAMPLES OF WORK

Robert Wood Johnson FoundationHABLAMOS JUNTOS: Improving Patient-Provider Communication

AB Design participated in a collaborative effort

conducted by The Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation, Hablamos Juntos and the Society

for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) as part of

the Symbol Design Team consisting of selected

designers with experience in symbol design and/or

health care wayfinding and signage system design

and research.

This project was an initiative intended to improve

access to health care for Latinos and other groups

with limited English proficiency.

Through this contract, Hablamos Juntos developed

and tested a complete kit of symbols, terminology,

and related translations, as well as application

guidelines and instructions.

The program funded demonstration sites to

improve patient-provider communication for

limited English speaking Latino patients by

developing and testing systems of medical

interpretation, signage and print materials across

multiple delivery points within the health care

system.

Working with selected terminology, the Symbol

Design Team, developed 28 common symbols. The

design team also developed standards for use of

the symbols-terminology translation pool, related

print material, and information items for public use.

This was the first time that designers addressed the

development and use of a symbology wayfinding

system within the American health care system.

AB Design’s being a pioneer working with symbols

and foreign languages, clearly differentiates our

firm and enables us to capitalize on our experience.

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Client: Virginia Liberty University, VA Project: Wayfinding Master PlanLocation: Lynchburg, VA

The university campus needed to have gateway entrances clearly

defined and directions to the different areas of the campus. The area

was divided into color coded sections and symbols were developed for

each area.

SAMPLES OF WORK

AB Design developed wayfinding, exterior and interior

signage systems for this amphitheater, which includes

a 5000 person sitting pavilion, lawns accommoda-

tions, an event center, restrooms and concessions.

A sign for the main entrance was developed as well as

pedestrian and vehicular directionals. The system

highlights simplicity and integration with the land-

scape and building’s color palette.

SAMPLES OF WORK

Client: The Town of GeddesProject: Onondaga Lakeview AmphitheaterLocation: Geddes, NY

Client: Richmond Federal CourthouseProject: Exterior & Interior WayfindingLocation: Richmond, VA

Design of a comprehensive wayfinding system

for the Richmond Federal Courthouse , a 336,961

square foot building with seven stories of offices

and courtrooms as well as a six-story glass

atrium. This LEED Silver Level building also

accommodates parking spaces. The courthouse

provides housing for the U.S. District Court, U.S.

Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Magistrate Court, U.S.

Trustees Office and other tenants.

The design includes signage and development of

a numbering system to provide a consistent

wayfinding strategy throughout the building.

The ADA-compliant signage system is designed

for maximum flexibility including changeable

inserts for the workstations and offices to allow

for future changes. The signage package includes

over forty signtypes: identification, directional,

parking garage signage, dimensional letters, and

evacuation plans. The materials used are brushed

aluminum, glass and clear lenses. The system is

easy to change and maintain.

i

SAMPLES OF WORK

Client: Piedmont VirginiaCommunity CollegeProject: Exterior Master Plan and Interior SignageLocation: Charlottesville, VA

AB Design redesigned the two entrance signs, renamed

the parking lots, determined parking lot usage and

developed a complete wayfinding package that included

pedestrian and vehicular signs. A color code was used

for the parking lots based on usage: green for the lots

open to students, yellow for lots with mixed use and

red for lots with restricted use. The system developed is

simple, inexpensive and allows for change overtime, all

conditions that were very important to the client.

AB Design designed the interior signage for a new three-

story building which houses a theatre, art galleries, and

the liberal and performing arts departments.

SAMPLES OF WORK

Piedmont Virginia Community College

IEDM

ONT VIRGINIA

COMM

UNITY COLL

EGE

P

1972EST.

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SAMPLES OF WORK

Client: Architect of the CapitolProject: Capitol Grounds and Visitor Center Wayfinding and Interpretive DesignLocation: Washington, DC

The Capitol Visitor Center is located underground.

Visitors have a difficult time finding this counter intuitive

location for the entrance.

AB Design designed the layout for the wayfinding and

interpretive panels located throughout the Capitol grounds

that take visitors from the west lawn to the east lawn,

where the visitor center is located.

Interpretive Panel

Wayfinding Sign

Area Map

AB Design developed an exterior comprehensive

wayfinding master plan, including campus entrance

signs, parking lot identification signs, vehicular and

pedestrian directionals, building directories,

regulatory signs, bulletin announcement boards and

“You Are Here” signs.

The system included a color-code applied to sections

of the campus. Directional and parking identification

signs clearly provide parking regulations.

The final signage design allows the college to update

their system in-house.

SAMPLES OF WORK

l

Client: Prince George’s Community CollegeProject: Wayfinding Master PlanLocation: Largo, MD

PRINCE GEORGE'SCOMMUNI TY COLLEGE

Largo Student Center

Accokeek Hall

Bladen Hall (Admissions)

Through Bladen Hall to

Marlboro Hall

Queen Anne Fine Arts

Hallam Theatre/Box O ffice

Chesapeake Hall

Lanham Hall

Client: Science Museum of VirginiaProject: Exterior & Interior WayfindingLocation: Danville, VAContact: Jeff Liverman (434) 791-5160 #201

The Science Center, being an affiliated of the

Science Museum of Virginia, did not have it’s own

identity to distinguish it’s buildings located in a

campus shared with other city buildings and uses.

As a multi-building site (the Passenger Station

and the renovated Southern Railway Administrative

building), the challenge was to create close

connections between the structures.

AB Design developed a logotype to identify the

Science Center to be used both for signage and

printed materials. Large dimensional letters on both

sides of the building façade, permit recognition from

a distance. A cohesive sign system to identify the

buildings and the interior spaces, impart a unified

campus-like atmosphere to the entire site.

SAMPLES OF WORK

Client: Washington HiltonProject: Exterior & Interior WayfindingLocation: Washington, DC

The Historic Washington Hilton Hotel was

performing major renovations both in the public

spaces and in the guest room floors. Being a venue

that holds all the inauguration presidential balls,

it’s character needed to be preserved, while at the

same time incorporate the latest available

technologies to keep the space up to date and to

respond to the demands of sophisticated clients.

AB Design proposed a new numbering system and

designed a comprehensive wayfinding system,

coordinating the work with interior designers and

interactive media developers.

The signage package includes signtypes integrated

with interactive screens as well as identification,

directional, parking garage signage, dimensional

letters, and evacuation plans. The materials used are

brushed aluminum and wood.

SAMPLES OF WORK

AB Design worked on the creation and

implementation of a comprehensive interior and

exterior identification, directional and safety

signage system for the Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Laboratory, as

well as on the development of signage standards

manual.

AB Design created a signage system of over 50

signtypes with a color-code accenting the varied

design features of the project. We worked closely

with the project architect and lab representatives,

and conducted extensive research to provide

comprehensive safety, warning and regulatory

signage. This project required study into the

effectiveness of symbol usage. A system of 30

custom symbols to identify all potential hazards/

chemicals being used, warnings, regulations and

safety concerns was also addressed. Safety

precautions and warning messages are clearly

posted outside each area. Directional signage and

maps are strategically placed throughout

the facility.

SAMPLES OF WORK Client: GSA National Laboratory (ATF)Project: Exterior and Interior WayfindingLocation: Beltsville, MD

Client: Maymont FoundationProject: The Nature And Visitor Center At Maymont, & Park Master PlanLocation: Richmond, VA

The Robins Nature and Visitor Center at Maymont houses the

James River Habitat and nature education galleries. Each exhibit

area has it’s own unique design and style. AB Design developed

a donor recognition system, exhibit identification signage, exterior

identification and directional signage and a symbol system for

special-use areas. The signs used natural materials, wood and

iron, to integrate with the environment. A trail map was

incorporated into the wayfinding signs.

Following the successful implementation of this project, AB

Design was asked to develop a cohesive exterior

wayfinding system for the entire 100-acre Maymont Park to

address the needs of a variety of park visitors.

SAMPLES OF WORK

48”

48”

20”

12”

40”

Treated wood

Carriage bolts

1/2” Corian Dusk

Galvanized steel (4) L2 x 2 x 1/4

2” black matte vinyl letters

Treated wood

8” x 8” x 12”h 3000 lb

concrete column

Handicapped Parking

Deliveries - Café/Shop

Deliveries - All Others

SCHOOL BUS DROP OFF

2”

2”

12”

The park’s facilities include historic Maymont House, the

Nature & Visitor Center, gardens, a collection of 19th

century carriages, a 40-acre wildlife park, a children’s farm,

an arboretum, and a 100-acre park.

Our design team worked closely with representatives of

Maymont, conducted interviews with key individuals,

performed extensive analysis and photographic survey of the

site, and developed an inventory of all existing signage. The

design for accessing the site, the multiple entrances and the

signage for parking and paths were thoroughly addressed.

The master plan includes a system of identification, donor

recognition, regulatory, interpretive and directional

signage to portray wayfinding, education and policy to the

diverse user group. The master plan recommends

renaming site entrances to reflect adjacent attractions,

inclusion of walking distances, path names to identify

features along each trail, terrain descriptions on directional

signage, and the strategic placement of location maps

throughout the site.

Client: Lauderhill Center for the Performing ArtsProject: Exterior & Interior WayfindingLocation: Lauderhill, FL

AB Design designed a comprehensive wayfinding

system for the library and performing arts center

complex. LEED certification and the use of “green”

materials was a key element to satisfy the client’s

requirements.

The material used for most of the signs is NovAcryl

GR, an eco-friendly plaque with direct to substrate

printed background, which presents an economi-

cal solution for a limited budget. The background

image selected is color coordinated with the interior

palette and resembles palm trees, typical of the area

in which the complex is located. With the goal to

provide a consistent wayfinding strategy throughout

the building, this ADA-compliant signage system is

designed with sustainability an budget in mind. The

signage package includes over twenty signtypes.

SAMPLES OF WORK