Signage and Graphics
Way finding is a significant factor in assisting the visitor or new student to become familiar with the individual campuses, and being comfortable in, what is often, a new environment.
Visitors to Del Mar College East Campus approach from all directions, while the West Campus has the primary entrance from Airport Road. It is very important that a signage program that encourages a cohesive, harmonious campus be in place.
The limits of both campuses are fairly well defined and, with the new vehicular entrance promenade from Baldwin Boulevard, a new sense of arrival, or front door, will be achieved on the East Campus, as it already exists at the West.
An overall Campus Plan, or Master Directory, can display all of the buildings appropriately designated and, be placed at several locations on the East Campus, and at the entrance to the West Campus, to accomplish appropriate orientation. These master directories could be located under free-standing kiosks structures, which would help attract and draw the individual.
When entering a specific building, there should be a directory at each major entrance that identifies the room numbers by floor. This would be best accomplished by utilizing a building floor plan which also indicates where the individual is within that building.
The total signage program must be designed not only to withstand vandalism, but endure the elements and maintain flexibility for future change. It should be an attractive element that enhances the campus character.
Identification of each building on both campuses could be achieved through color coding as well as letter designation. Directional signs placed throughout the campuses could bear the same color and building letter assignment to help the visitors find their way. Each building should also display the color coded letter designation at the corners for quick identification upon arrival. The following drawings describe a color/letter system that illustrates this concept.
The samples shown on this report are recommendations of a prototype system. Prior to proceeding to put a new system in place, a comprehensive signage and campus graphics study should be conducted.