Civic Signage & Wayfinding Design

Team Leaders

Harry Mark, FAIA, Principal
Cody Clark, Principal
Christy Montgomery, Associate Principal

Project Inquiry

City Wayfinding Signage That Produces Connection to the Community

Civic signage programs have the unique ability to transform a visitor’s arrival and wayfinding experience through an oftentimes confusing urban environment. City wayfinding systems, master plan signage, and placemaking bring clarity and simplicity to both vehicular and pedestrian navigation, as well as adding a strong identity and character to a community. Our civic design experts merge a deep understanding of the user journey and a strategic knowledge of place to create a unique approach for our clients.

RSM Design works closely with city councils, city officials, public outreach committees, and municipal boards around the country to help visually communicate each community’s unique amenities through creative city branding, civic signage, and city wayfinding programs. By bringing art, architecture, and graphic design together, we enliven civic spaces and help local community members engage with their city. Our work makes public spaces more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Civic Signage Projects

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Civic Design Services

Civic Wayfinding Design

Our civic wayfinding design services produce comprehensive navigation systems that help users intuitively orient themselves within cities. By combining architectural elements, landscape design, lighting, and strategically placed signage, we guide people through public environments with clarity and ease. Our civic designs are made to evolve with the needs of the community, ensuring long-term usability and seamless integration with the built environment. At RSM Design, we make public places memorable and accessible by highlighting areas to pause, learn, enjoy, and share.

City Branding

RSM Design’s branding services for cities focus on capturing the essence of a place and translating it into a visual identity that resonates with the community. By integrating this identity into the built environment, we create branded experiences that connect people to places in meaningful ways. From logo and brand development to community storytelling and architectural details, we design civic environments that not only tell a story but also create a lasting sense of place, unifying the public experience and promoting community pride.

Civic Architectural Graphic Design

At RSM Design, we specialize in the integration of graphic design with architectural elements to create spaces that are beautiful, engaging, and functional. Our approach to civic architectural graphic design involves layering public art and wayfinding graphics directly onto buildings and urban structures, turning them into landmarks that define a space’s character. These visual elements are not only community focused but also serve practical purposes by offering cues for navigation.

Civic Environmental Graphic Design

Environmental graphic design enriches the built environment by weaving together art, signage, and architecture. RSM Design specializes in producing cohesive visual systems that improve visitor navigation while adding to the aesthetic quality of the space. By carefully studying the site and its context, we create engaging graphics and thoughtful design solutions that resonate with the local community, tell a compelling story, and elevate the user experience.

City Signage Programs

RSM Design develops comprehensive civic signage programs that serve as the foundation of public environments. Based on local research, analysis, and stakeholder direction, these master sign programs determine long-term strategies for clear, consistent, and cohesive city signage. Through careful review of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, we use signage to improve accessibility and navigation for all users. Our signage programs are designed to integrate with the evolving needs of urban spaces, ensuring that public signs not only guide users but also enhance the character and identity of the area.

Placemaking & Murals for Public Spaces

RSM Design’s placemaking services help bring cities to life by creating visually engaging and interactive environments that foster community connection. We collaborate with local artists and stakeholders to design murals, sculptures, and public art installations that reflect the unique identity and cultural heritage of the community. Through these creative interventions, we turn ordinary places into vibrant public spaces that invite interaction, spark joy, and create a sense of belonging for all who visit.

Types of City Signage

Directional Civic Signage

Our directional civic signage systems guide visitors and residents seamlessly through public environments, no matter their destination. Signs provide clear, concise instructions and point out pathways at key decision points. By strategically placing directional signage throughout public spaces, we ensure users can easily find their way, for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Informational Civic Signage

Informational signage plays a critical role in cities by providing essential details such as maps, operating hours, services, and points of interest. We design signage that is not only functional but also visually engaging. This allows users to easily absorb important information, make informed decisions about their interactions with the built environment, and enjoy a better user experience.

City Identification Signage

Civic identification signage clearly marks public buildings, parks, community landmarks, and other sites. Not only do these signs serve as visual anchors that help orient visitors, but also they reinforce identity and branding for cities. A strong site identity makes the space more recognizable, user-friendly, and memorable for visitors

Landmark and Point of Interest Signage

Many cities and civic spaces have a need for greater signage around local landmarks, historical sites, and points of interest. RSM Design creates solutions that help to celebrate the unique cultural and historical aspects of your city with signage that sets the tone for users as well as guides them to their destination. By integrating storytelling into our designs, we create signage that not only informs but also educates and inspires, making local heritage more accessible and engaging for both residents and visitors.

Regulatory Civic Signage

We design ADA-compliant regulatory city signage to communicate essential rules, restrictions, and safety information clearly and effectively. Whether it is parking restrictions, speed limits, or safety guidelines, these city wayfinding signs help maintain order and ensure that civic spaces are safe and comfortable for everyone, including people with disabilities. At RSM Design, regulatory signs share critical information while still maintaining the city’s unique voice and design.

City Wayfinding Signage for Pedestrians

Our comprehensive city wayfinding signage enhances walkability in urban environments by guiding people through parks, plazas, and public squares. Strategically placed and designed to be user-friendly, these signs provide easy-to-follow routes and directions, estimated walking distances, and information about nearby amenities. With proper civic signage, pedestrians can navigate their surroundings safely and comfortably, encouraging further exploration and engagement in the built environment.

Civic Wayfinding Signage for Vehicles

A carefully designed city should be easy to traverse for vehicles as well as pedestrians. This requires strategic city wayfinding solutions that can direct drivers through complex urban layouts and busy public areas. Our designs prioritize safety and efficiency, helping drivers find key destinations such as parking lots, exits, drop-off zones, and city services, while minimizing traffic congestion and confusion. In both their design and placement, these signs should ensure clear visibility for drivers in a range of conditions.

Public Parking and Garage Signage

As part of a comprehensive wayfinding and signage system, RSM Design works with cities and public officials to create signage for public parking facilities and garages that streamlines the parking experience from entry to exit. With clear instructions for vehicle flow, available spaces, and wayfinding within multi-level parking structures, our designs ensure a hassle-free experience for drivers, enhancing their overall experience in the built environment.

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RSM Design turns ordinary public spaces into extraordinary ones, inspiring interaction, connection, and civic pride.