Detroit Downtown Pedestrian Wayfinding System Detroit, Michigan

Services Provided

Wayfinding Audit
Location Plans
Placemaking Concept and Design
Signage Design
Message Schedules
Production and Implementation Oversight

A modern, modular pedestrian wayfinding system to enhance the Downtown Detroit streetscape and promote exploration

The Downtown Detroit Wayfinding project is focused on the planning and design of a pedestrian oriented ‘heads up’ wayfinding system, to meet the needs of Downtown Detroit’s urban core. Based around a ‘park once’ philosophy, the strategy places directional signs, orientation maps and walking time information along well trafficked primary corridors and routes, all helping to guide residents and visitors alike through Downtown Detroit’s unique radiating “spoke” street grid. The signage system establishes and promotes a sense of place through the use of distinct patterns and iconography, while remaining neutral enough to avoid adding clutter to an already visually full streetscape. Developed to maximize the life cycle of the system, directional information is focused on evergreen locations and identifying landmarks not subject to change. Dynamic wayfinding assets, more likely to become technologically redundant, are complimented by our static system, rather than incorporated into it.

A wayfinding system is only effective when the information it communicates is accessible. The Downtown Detroit system was designed to be a simple, flexible, and cost effective solution that could utilize existing city infrastructure, allowing the sign system to be implemented to many more locations than would otherwise have been possible. The simplicity of the design has proved an important asset, providing opportunities for the system to expand to other neighborhoods, connecting Detroit in a comprehensive and cohesive manner.

The orientation map helps users plan their route and creates a better sense of place with the downtown thresholds clearly identified. Highlighting the often-overlooked Detroit River along with the various dividing freeway systems, this simplified map sets the boundaries of the wayfinding program.