Located in Holland, Michigan, and founded in 1866, Hope College is a four-year Christian liberal arts college that serves approximately 3100 students annually. The campus is a mix of cherished buildings with historic architecture and modern world-class facilities. We worked with Hope College to develop a comprehensive wayfinding program that effectively identifies their campus, promotes the college brand, and helps visitors and students navigate.
The 125-acre campus lacked a standard route to approach from or a sense of arrival. We worked with the Department of Transportation to create a standard route to campus, supported by signage in Holland. Gateway signage introduces visitors to the campus, and custom street signs help reinforce the college brand and feeling of being on campus. Parking lots are easily identifiable with the introduction of the “P” parking symbol on signage. We also highlighted landmarks on maps and used them as an additional wayfinding tool.
The signage design features bright brand colors creating a modern look and highlighting college pride. The accent poles mimic the “H” in the Hope College logo and complement the architecture throughout the campus. Multi-level facades of the design add dimensionality and introduce a more contemporary feel.
The implementation of the system was split into three phases. As of spring 2020, the first phase of vehicular guide signs is installed. Future expansion of the system will include pedestrian kiosks, updated regulatory signage, and on-building identification.