Located where the St. Joseph River meets Lake Michigan, St. Joseph is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant downtown, and cultural attractions. Easily accessible from Chicago, Detroit, and via Amtrak, the city partnered with Corbin Design to develop a wayfinding program that reflects its identity, encourages exploration, and improves navigation.
Designed as a 360-degree experience, the system design ensures every view of the sign contributes to the visitor experience. The program incorporates local landmarks into its identity—drawing inspiration from the historic carousel, Compass Fountain, and iconic lighthouse. These symbols, combined with a custom-illustrated motif of water and sand on the reverse, anchor the system within the city’s unique sense of place. At the top of each sign, “St. Joseph” appears in a timeless dark red serif font, creating a civic presence that unifies the program across the city.
By blending functionality with local storytelling, the program helps visitors navigate with ease while celebrating St. Joseph’s heritage and lakefront culture—strengthening both wayfinding and civic pride.
