Wayfinding & Signage

1.0 GENERAL

The following signage standards aim to provide consistency, cohesiveness, and effectiveness in visual communication across all Ivy Tech Community College locations. These standards are applicable to all indoor and outdoor signage, including but not limited to identity, directional, regulatory, etiquette, incidental, interpretive, safety and emergency, and temporary signs.

Signage installations shall comply with these standards to maintain brand integrity and provide clear guidance to visitors, students, and staff. Compliance with local regulations and accessibility guidelines, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is mandatory. Every effort shall be made to prioritize custom designed signage over off-the-shelf items to maintain consistency across Ivy Tech Locations.

Should individual locations desire to go outside of these standards, a deviation request must be completed. Request forms can be printed below. 

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2.0 SUCCESS FACTORS

2.1 Wayfinding Strategy

Following Ivy Tech’s wayfinding strategy is crucial to the success of the signage standards. Clear and intuitive navigation paths should be established, guiding visitors, students, and staff to their destinations seamlessly. By aligning signage designs with the wayfinding strategy, users can traverse efficiently, reducing confusion, and enhancing overall experience. Access to this document can be printed below.

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2.1.1 Wayfinding Assessments

Since individual locations are unique, it is recommended to have a wayfinding assessment and strategy completed for interior signage and parking garage signage packages. This process will allow for proper sign types to be installed for a facility’s needs and avoid sign clutter and may be done as a collaborative effort between Ivy Tech Design Services, the architect of record, and the selected signage fabricator.

2.2 Ivy Tech Community College Brand Guidelines

Following Ivy Tech's brand guide ensures that signage maintains brand consistency and reinforces the institution's identity. By incorporating brand elements such as logos, colors, and typography into signage designs, a cohesive visual language is established across all locations. Access to this document can be printed below.

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2.3 Continuous Compliance

Regular audits and assessments may be conducted to confirm ongoing compliance with these signage standards.

3.0 LEGIBILITY

3.1 Font

All fonts being used on signage must follow ADA standards. If it is desired to use font families found in the Ivy Tech Community College Brand Guidelines, the following meet those standards:

• Avenir: Light, Book, Roman, Medium
• Arial: Narrow, Narrow Bold, Regular

3.2 Contrast

To ensure maximum legibility, signage must exhibit a minimum of 70% contrast between text and the viewed background surface.

3.3 Vehicular-Scale Signage Character Height Requirements

Signage should feature proficient font sizes to ensure readability based on viewing distance and environmental factors. The sign size is determined primarily by the length of the message, the speed in which the sign will be read, and the size of lettering and spacing necessary for proper legibility and readability. Character height shall comply with Chapter 2D Guide Signs – Conventional Roads in the 11th edition of the MUTCD, December 2023, or most recent edition. As a general guideline, character height may follow 1” of character height for every 10’ of viewing distance as shown in Figure 3.3.

 

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3.3 Vehicular Character Height Requirements

3.4 Pedestrian-Scale Signage Character Height Requirements

Pedestrian-scale character height pertains to the minimum height of characters on signage intended to be read by individuals on foot. Character height should follow Figure 3.4. These signs may include but are not limited to: static map kiosks, directionals, directories.

Figure 3.4 Pedestrian-Scale Character Height Requirements

3.5 Overhead Signage Character Height Requirements

Minimum character height for overhead signage is 2”. These may include flag-mounted or ceiling-mounted variations. Signs must not block doors or emergency equipment. The minimum mounting height shall be 80” minimum from the base of the sign to the finished floor (refer to Figure 3.5).

Figure 3.5 Overhead Signage Mounting

3.6 Illumination

Signage should be adequately illuminated to ensure visibility during a facility’s operating hours. Light sources must be positioned and directed to minimize glare and ensure uniform lighting across signage surfaces.

4.0 READABILITY

4.1 Language

The primary language for use on signage is English. In areas with a diverse population, signage should consider language differences to accommodate non-English speakers. Multilingual signage is most effective when considering the following: messaging is reduced to what is only needed, and that same messaging is clear and shown consistently throughout a sign system. Accompany messaging with universally known pictograms.

The selection of languages for signage should be based on the demographic composition of the community and the surrounding area. English should always be present, with the most common second language included as deemed necessary by demographics and community feedback. Care should be taken to ensure the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of translations, with consultation from native speakers or professional translation services as needed.

4.2 Pictograms

Pictograms are developed as a universal language to enhance comprehension and provide clear visual cues. They may be created by an Ivy Tech approved graphic designer and made to fit the needs of the facilities and/or site. See section 5.0 for pictogram use on tactile signage. 

4.3 Character Formatting

All caps must be used for ADA required signs. Title case may be used for all other signs.

4.4 Nomenclature

Messaging should be clear, concise, and easily understandable for effective communication with visitors, students, and staff. Messaging shall align with 2.0 Success Factors section.

4.5 Room Numbering

Room identification at a minimum should include floor level and room number (refer to Figure 4.5).

Figure 4.5 Room Numbering

5.0 TACTILE

Signage that uses tactile must follow ADA standards for minimum character height and clear space for braille (refer to Figure 5.0). Should pictograms be used on tactile signs, they shall have a field height of 6” minimum. Characters and braille shall not be located in the pictogram field.

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5.0 Tactile Requirements

5.1 Placement of Tactile Signage

Tactile characters on signs shall be located 48” minimum to 60” maximum from finished floor, as measured from the baseline of the lowest tactile character. Signs with tactile characters must be centered 9” from the latch side of the door. Refer to Figure 5.1 for details.

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5.1 Placement of Tactile Signage

6.0 SIGNAGE

6.1 Identity

Identity signage visually identifies spaces. These signs identify various elements, including but not limited to a campus, building, area, department, or room.

6.2 Directional

Directional signage may provide clear and concise information that guides individuals from one location to another. May include arrows, text, and pictograms to as visual aids. Examples of elements these signs may direct to include but are not limited to a campus, building, area, parking, department, floor level, or room.

6.3 Emergency and Safety

Emergency and safety signage must be prominently displayed and comply with the International Building Code Council, local safety codes, and ADA requirements. All emergency and safety signage shall comply with 9.0 Applicable Codes.

6.4 Digital

Digital signage – kiosks, TV monitors, etc. – may be utilized to display dynamic content, announcements, and emergency alerts and is the preferred method over more traditional avenues, such as bulletin boards or tack strips. Screens should be positioned for optimal visibility and equipped with remote management capabilities for content updates. Programming and management of digital devices are to be handled by Ivy Tech at a location level. Specifications for the Ivy Tech approved digital kiosk can be printed below. 

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6.5 Regulatory

Regulatory signage communicates important information regarding compliance with policies, safety regulations, and legal requirements. These signs may include but are not limited to stop signs, one-way, or no parking/tow zone signs.

6.6 Etiquette

Etiquette signage communicates expectations regarding behavior in shared spaces. These signs may include but are not limited to no smoking, no food/beverages, or hand washing signs.

6.7 Incidental

Incidental signage provides information about services, facilities, or amenities. These signs may include but are not limited to wi-fi information or building hours.

6.8 Temporary

Conveys temporary information or instructions to individuals that are typically used for a limited duration, including events, construction notices, or closures.

6.9 Paper Inserts

Signs needing to accommodate updatable information may include space for a paper sheet no smaller than 8.5” x 11”. These may include room IDs, evacuation maps, or emergency procedures signs.

6.10 Main Entrances

Main entrances at each building may have at minimum, one (1) frosted vinyl “Ivy Tree” logo applied to the glass door(s). Please print Ivy Tech Community College Brand Guidelines for logo below.

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7.0 PHYSICAL ELEMENTS

7.1 Materials

Sign materials should be durable, weather-resistant, and easy to maintain. Common materials to consider may include aluminum, acrylic, stainless steel, and high-pressure laminate.

7.2 Finishes

Matte finishes are recommended to minimize glare and ensure optimal readability. Finishes may be selected based on durability, resistance to vandalism, resistance to fading, and compatibility with the surrounding interior or exterior finishes.

8.0 MOUNTING AND PLACEMENT

8.1 Mounting

Signage should be securely mounted to a surface with the use of appropriate hardware or methods. Signs going on glass may have a backer panel added on the inside of the room/space to avoid the attachment method showing.

8.2 Signage Placement

Signage should be positioned at eye level and in prominent locations to maximize visibility and readability. Considerations should be given to factors such as line of sight, traffic flow, and obstructions when determining placement. Signs that are required by ADA, MUTCD, ICC, and NFPA may have their own placement standards and should be prioritized above general placement.

8.3 Placement Authority

All signage installations must be authorized by the local Ivy Tech facilities team and marketing lead to maximize consistency and uniformity in signage placement across locations.

9.0 APPLICABLE CODES

9.1 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA Standards are based on minimum guidelines set by the Access Board and apply to places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local facilities in new construction, alterations, and additions. Please refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act, or most recent edition.

9.2 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

The MUTCD issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides national standards for traffic control devices, including signs, signals, and pavement markings, ensuring consistency and safety across roadways and pedestrian areas. Please refer to the 11th Edition of the MUTCD, December 2023, or most recent edition.

9.3 International Code Council (ICC)

The ICC provides guidelines for the design and installation of signage to ensure safety, accessibility, and consistency across different types of buildings and structures. Please refer to the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), or most recent edition.

9.4 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Signage shall comply with the most up to date NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. The 2024 version can be found and purchased here: NFPA 101

9.5 Local Ordinances

Locations must review and adhere to local ordinances pertaining to signage. These may include but are not limited to sign size, illumination, placement, or content requirements.