Newport Beach, California

Balboa Fun Zone

RSM Design was invited to complete signage and public art for the restoration of the Balboa Fun Zone located in Newport Beach, California. The Fun Zone is a charming collection of retail shops, restaurants, and nostalgic rides, such as the iconic Balboa ferris wheel. Visitors can enjoy a sweet treat and a stroll along the charming waterfront, while making memories with family and friends. RSM Design worked with local muralist Chris McNeil at Look Signs to craft hand painted murals and art for the Balboa Fun Zone. It was important for the RSM Design team to recognize the history of the Balboa Fun Zone, while developing signage and art that would enhance the visitor experience.

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Balboa Fun Zone
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Blue and gray map of Newport Beach, including Lido Marina Village, Newport Pier, and The Fun Zone.

Flatlay of three books that have spreads open to the color palette, the inspiration, and the guiding principles of the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

A book open to a spread of the inspiration of the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California. The Fun Zone is a nostalgic, charming California icon.

A book open to a spread of the "Ice Cream Dreams" color palette of the Balboa Fun Zone. The spread contains inspirational imagery of colors and typography that emulate the proposed palette for Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Anchored by play, food, and fun.

Playful color palette display with confetti surrounding the circles that represent each color.

SUN, SAND & SEA

The concepts for the Fun Zone were inspired by the perfect Newport Beach day: cloudless skies and vanilla soft serve, seaside with friends on a summer afternoon. The graphics are fun-loving and carefree, yet incorporate bold and bright typography, inspired by beachside storefronts.

Image of the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California with red lettered overhead signage and a playful octopus holding fries, ice cream and a shake. Painted mural of an octopus at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

"Let's go to the Fun Zone" painted colorful bike graphic with confetti for the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Colorful painted wall murals of bikes, confetti, and roller skates for the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

People walking by the painted red and blue overhead building identity of the Fun Zone Arcade in Newport Beach, California.

Welcome to Balboa vehicular sign nearby to the colorful ferris wheel and Jane's Corndogs overhead tenant sign at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

LIGHTER, QUICKER, INEXPENSIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS

When collaborating with the client on the restoration and preservation of the Balboa Fun Zone, the RSM Design team took a “Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” approach, also referred to as “LQC.” The Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper approach to crafting a public space was coined by Eric Reynolds, to explain low-cost, yet effective solutions in public design. The idea is that LQC design solutions can prove to be more successful than costly endeavors when transforming a space. The RSM Design team was able to maintain the sense of familiarity and nostalgia at the Balboa Fun Zone, while bringing playful energy and refinement through hand-painted murals and signage at a reasonable cost.

Colorful, playful octopus mural on white building at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Image of woman pushing a stroller past "The Fun Starts Here" painted red lettering mural on the side of the building at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California nearby the ferris wheel.

Two people walking past the Fun Zone signage, blue octopus painted mural, and red and blue lettered overhead sign for the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, California.

Balboa Fun Zone overhead passageway identity signage. Red lettered paseo entry way identity nearby girl on skateboard riding past windows with red striped awnings.

Collaborators:

Look Signs, Allison Richter Photography