Zionsville Wayfinding Master Plan

Project Overview

A wayfinding plan has long been a goal of Zionsville, Indiana. Recommendations for the Town to complete a community-wide wayfinding and signage plan date back to at least 2012, as a recommendation of the Economic-Development Strategic Plan. Other studies since then, including the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Market Study, Parking Analysis and the Strategic Trails Implementation Plan also recommended such a plan. At roughly 60 square miles and having recently annexed additional land, the Town decided it was time to create a cohesive signage system to help brand the Town and direct visitors to local amenities. The Town hired E. Holdings, Inc. in 2020 to create a full wayfinding signage master plan, utilizing the Town’s brand guidelines.

Core Services Performed:

Signage Design
Wayfinding Planning
GIS Mapping
Condition Assessment & Documentation
Construction and Implementation Plan

Client:

Town of Zionsville, Indiana

Timeline:

December 2020 – January 2022

Wayfinding & Signage Design

The project consists of two phases. Phase 1 included a review of previous planning efforts, a full inventory and assessment of existing signs within the Town, including GIS mapping of the sign locations (by sign type), the creation of a project website, and a community survey.

To ensure the new designs successfully captured the wants and needs of the town and to create buy-in for the finished designs, a project brand and website were created. A community survey was conducted to gauge residents’ opinions on signage needs and general design-related questions. E. Holdings designed campaign yard signs, which were placed around the Town, and Facebook posts to advertise the website and survey, which received almost 1,000 responses.

Phase 2 involves the design of the recommended signs, messaging and location plan, and construction bid document package. Our team has developed preliminary design concepts for a full recommended sign family. Upon selection of the preferred concept, we will present them to the public and then finalize the wayfinding master plan.

GIS and Mapping

As part of the current signage location and condition assessment a field study was conducted and a GIS database created. The signs were photographed and plotted to aid with identifying gaps and potential locations. This mapping also aided in developing the message schedule. An editable google map was also created and shared with Town officials as part of final QA/QC of sign locations and messaging.