Wayfinding Survey
We need you! Please take this short survey by following the link below. It only takes a few minutes!
What is Wayfinding?
Wayfinding is about the tools people use to navigate from place to place. Good wayfinding connects different parts of a city, making the city easy to navigate while showcasing local identity. It can help visitors get where they’re going, strengthen residents' sense of identity, and bolster the local economy. The City of Medford is working with design firm OverUnder to assess the current conditions (including understanding mobility patterns and identifying challenges). The team will rethink and redesign signage and public realm components to create a cohesive brand identity and improve navigation throughout the city, with a focus on Medford Square.
Directional totem signs help people get their bearings with maps and other information. They can also welcome visitors and provide a sense of arrival.
Small design elements, like color-coded icons on bollards, are used to tell different routes and destinations apart.
Murals and other pieces of art are a lively way to give a place a strong sense of identity.
Large, three-dimensional signs are a bold way to show the name of a place, like a park.
Directional signs are sometimes temporary and can be added where needed.
Directional signs are sometimes temporary and can be added where needed.
What are the phases of the study?
Discovery
Initial phase to understand Medford’s needs as well as its identity. Key pain points in the existing wayfinding system are identified, as well as opportunities to best integrate with other ongoing initiatives in the City.
Design
Design of options for a brand language for consideration by City staff and key local stakeholders. The various options are evaluated in workshops with City staff and key stakeholders, resulting in the recommendation of a single design direction.
Development
Following client review and approval of design direction, sign types, and proposed locations, a wayfinding master plan document is produced.
Objectives:
Medford wishes to create an identity for its signs moving forward that would accomplish the following objectives:
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Provide a clear and cohesive identity that is unique to Medford.
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Provide visitors and residents with clear directions for accessing city attractions.
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The Wayfinding Study will undertake the following tasks to achieve these goals.
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Gather relevant data on past efforts for wayfinding and understand current conditions.
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Study precedents established in other cities.
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Conduct outreach engagement with key stakeholders to assess needs.
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Conduct outreach and observation with community members to better understand use patterns and needs.
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Develop a graphic language that is legible and compelling.
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Create a wayfinding master plan that identifies locations, sign types, guidelines for future use, and a road map for implementation.
Wayfinding Survey
We need you!
Whether you live in Medford, own a business here, or simply visit from time-to-time, we want to understand your experience of navigating through the city. Fill out our survey by following the link below—it only takes a few minutes and will help guide the design of the city’s wayfinding.
The survey is anonymous and available in:
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Questions:
To learn more about this study, please contact the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability at 781-393-2480 or email ocd@medford-ma.gov.