HEALTH CARE

AB Design was selected with seven other renowned designers to develop a system of symbols for healthcare to be used nationwide. The system is similar in concept to that of the DOT (Department of Transportation) symbols.

The symbols designed underwent three rounds of testing following ISO norms as well as testing in the field to verify effectiveness.

AB Design was invited to participate because we implemented the first widespread use of symbols in a hospital signage system at Danville Regional Medical Center. The DRMC campus includes one new and four existing buildings with diverse and inconsistent interior design with a confusing and complex circulation.

We divided each building into sections based on the eight elevator cores. The new numbering system established avoids number overlapping. Colors and letters were assigned to each section and were incorporated into the signage to allow users to recognize the section they are navigating through.

We conducted a focus group through the use of questionnaires and onsite interviews to research the use of terminology, pictograms and numbering systems, and incorporated suggested improvements.

An exterior illuminated pylon sign was designed to identify the hospital as well as exterior directional signs to direct traffic to the entrances and parking areas.

AB Design provided the client with a standard signage manual that allowed the production and update of the signs in house which resulted in an economical and effective system..