The University of Tennessee, Campus Wayfinding

Prior to 2014, campus signage and wayfinding at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville was ad hoc, without hierarchy or overall guidance. Once installed, signs were rarely removed, even when their purpose was spent. Campus leadership wanted to reduce visual clutter and leverage new technologies (such as online maps and smart devices) to streamline wayfinding.

Cloud Gehshan was selected to develop a campus wayfinding master plan with an existing conditions inventory and signage type families. Their study also led them to recommend establishing campus “districts.” Their document provided the framework for UT Facilities Services to take the concept through design and into implementation with Image Manufacturing Group as the fabricator.

The building identification signs were the first to be installed, followed by parking and garage signs. Placement of large vehicular wayfinding signs is ongoing. The graphics package for the pedestrian wayfinding and interpretive signs is in development with an anticipated launch date in late 2019.

Additional Information