Towson students walk by a new navigational sign designed by Ayers Saint Gross.

Location

Towson, MD

Size

329 acres

Services

Graphic Design

Completion

2021

Ayers Saint Gross designed a complete family of exterior signs to replace Towson University’s existing campus signage. As part of this effort, Ayers Saint Gross also led a series of wayfinding workshops with university representatives to determine the messaging and placement of each sign. Designed to be an extension of the university’s brand refresh efforts, the signage is a three-dimensional representation of the new, dynamic, and bold identity. Signs serve as a placemaking system and monuments that offer practical wayfinding to visitors.

A custom sign at Towson University features clear wayfinding instruction and reinforces University...

The design of the signs reflects Towson’s bold new brand identity, serving as a functional placemaking element throughout campus. The new sign family covers the full spectrum of the visitor’s experience on the campus’ exterior — from car to campus-core.

An illustration shows the kinds of signs included in the new signage family.

A clear navigational sign is shown on Towson's campus.

Students walk by a new sign for the Cook Library, which features an angled black panel and a gold...

The structure of the signs reflect the Calvert pattern of the Maryland flag — one of the main inspirations for Towson University’s new brand identity. The bold gold sign cabinets serve as brand beacons throughout campus, while the angled black panels provide a space for user messaging.

A diagram of how the black panels fit on the gold sign cabinets at Towson University

A sideview of the black and gold Towson University campus signage.

A sign for the Towson University College of Liberal Arts

Accessibility is a key aspect of wayfinding and user experience. Ayers Saint Gross worked with Towson University to identify the accessible pathways across campus in order to help guide users along routes which avoid stairs and steep grade changes.

Accessible route signage on the campus of Towson University

A sign provides wayfinding for a more accessible route on Towson University's campus.

Incorporating accessibility symbols into typical pedestrian signage allowed for message-flexibility and helped to avoid sign clutter.

Building signage helps identify specific campus addresses on Towson University's campus.

Building address signs are strategically placed along main campus through-ways for maximum visibility for emergency vehicles.

Ayers Saint Gross worked closely with Towson University’s parking office to develop a system of regulatory parking signage to both assist visitors in finding parking and inform students on where and when they can park across the campus’ many garages and lots.

Towson University signage provides navigational and parking directions for drivers.

A bold sign provides parking information at Towson University's Union Parking Garage

Towson University signage provides parking information for campus visitors

A color system was developed to help students and visitors quickly and clearly identify campus parking zones.

Towson University parking sign templates

Next Project

The Pearl District Master Plan

Wexford Science & Technology, Atrium Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Campus-Wide Signage and Wayfinding

The Pearl District Master Plan

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