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Towson

Signage

Making the campus welcoming and easy to navigate is an important part of the university’s brand.

Students walking on TU campus near wayfinding signage

Maintaining signage standards ensures that our campus signage provides clear and consistent information, a visual language to help people navigating the campus, and an experience that complements the university’s branding. Facilities Planning works with University Marketing and Communications to oversee all campus signage decisions.

Exterior Signage/Wayfinding

Examples of wayfinding signage types

The university’s current wayfinding was developed after the current brand mark was released in 2019. The signs were designed to reflect the new branding and foster a sense of pride of place with their striking black and gold palette. Beyond the design of the sign package, a great deal of thought and study went into developing the wayfinding, and a few strategic policies came about:

  • All wayfinding information is designed to get visitors to destinations that attract many outside guests. That is why you’ll see information on the roadside signs that leads people to Unitas Stadium and the Center for the Arts, but not, for example, a specific residence hall.
  • Signage is designed for two groups: vehicles and pedestrians. Vehicular signage is geared toward identifying buildings and getting vehicles to parking locations. Once parked, the pedestrian signage is designed to get the individual from their parking to their destination.
  • Wayfinding information is purposefully general to avoid information overload and sign proliferation. Specific directional information should be provided to guests by the individuals inviting them to campus. For example, if you are inviting campus visitors to a meeting, you should be prepared to tell your guests specifically how to get to their destination building / room from their designated parking space.
  • While older building signage still exists, newer building identification is intended to exist only on signage, not on the building itself. This is a lesson learned over many years of stylistic and building name changes that leave scars on buildings that are not easily repaired.
  • Major events such as Football games or Commencement often necessitate temporary supplemental directional signage. In those instances, a specific format is used 

If you have questions or believe you have a signage need, please use the request form linked below to submit a request. All signage requests are subject to review.

Interior Signage

Examples of interior campus signage

Interior campus signage designs have been developed and are being phased in across campus systematically. The designs were created to complement university’s visual branding in a more subtle manner, allowing the focus to be on the information. Most signs include room for an insert to accommodate content that changes over time. Inserts for larger signs are created by Design and Graphic Services; Smaller sign inserts — for sign types H, I, L and O — can be formatted in Marq.

Temporary Signage

Temporary signage — whether it takes the form of easel signs or popup banners promoting an event, directional parking signs, or lawn signs that direct guests to a destination — are an important part of promoting campus events. In order to keep the campus looking its best, it is important to remember the following.

  • Despite their temporary nature, all signage should be professionally designed.
  • Directional signage should reflect the appearance of the campus wayfinding system.
  • Outdoor signage must be freestanding; it may not be tied to posts, added to existing signage, or adhered to any campus facilities.
  • Outdoor temporary signs may only be displayed for seven days, after which they need to be removed by the owner. If they are not removed after seven days, they will be removed by facilities staff and destroyed.

Requesting New and Updated Signage

If your area needs new or updated signage, the first step is complete a . After logging in to Lytho, click the ‘Add Request’ button, provide a short description of your request and select the “Signage Request†from the drop-down form. Please refer to the graphics above and reference the sign type that is needed.

Requests will be routed to Facilities Planning or Design and Graphic Services for review and/or design, and permanent signage requests are subject to review by the university’s Space Committee.