405 Studio Brief 01 - Wayfinding

My plan is to create a sign system to point out and shift focus to all of the places in Leeds that make it eligible to be the winner of 2023 Capital of Culture. The bid has a website but as of yet isn't highlighting the places that make the city so wonderful. The website says that the bid will officially launch on 23rd Feb 17 so until then I presume the information won't be collected and presented to the public.

Above you can see a sample of the typeface created for the bid by Lee Goater and Dalton Maag. The aim of the type was to create an identity that communicates "ambition, experimentation, collaboration and openness" Goater explains, "It needed to be playful, intriguing and overall something that makes you turn your head, pause to figure out and understand it". I will also have this approach, however more quirky and fun rather than making someone work for it, as I don't believe that is in line with culture, culture is something everyone is entitled to and should be able to experience and enjoy.

Music Venues:

O2 Academy
First Direct Arena
Brudenell Social Club
Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
The Wardrobe
Mint Club
Key Club

Theatres:

The Grand Theatre and Opera House Leeds
Carriageworks Theatre
West Yorkshire Playhouse

Art Galleries:

Leeds Art Gallery
The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery
The Gallery at Munro House
Castle Galleries
White Cloth Gallery

Museums:

Leeds City Museum
Thackray Medical Museum
Royal Armouries Museum
Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills

Universities:

Leeds College of Art
Leeds College of Music
University of Leeds
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Trinity University

Shopping:

Trinity Shopping Centre
The Corn Exchange
Kirkgate Market
Queens Arcade
The Light
The Core
Victoria Quarter
White Rose Shopping Centre

I thought it would be best to do a bit of research into some existing sign systems for city centres and some of the things named above. There are a few agencies known for just their way finding and they specialise in getting clear and concise information across to the public, although I want my system to be clear so that people can follow it, I would also like for it to be quirky and full of life,  seen as that is was culture is all about and Leeds should highlight that in a relevant way. I must consider there will be a lot of tourists relying on this signage so an idea would be to include pictograms to make it easier for those who do not speak good English.