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Frankenmuth, MI

City of Frankenmuth

To enhance navigation and enrich the visitor experience in Frankenmuth, Michigan, Corbin Design partnered with the city to develop a new wayfinding signage system. Frankenmuth, known for its Bavarian charm and hosting 3 million visitors annually within its compact three-square-mile area, needed an updated system to replace its previous 25-year-old wayfinding program, also designed by Corbin Design. The previous system had become outdated and no longer met the needs of the city or its guests.

The new signage program draws heavily from Frankenmuth’s unique Bavarian architecture, the iconic archway at the city’s southern entrance, and its vibrant tourism branding. The goal was to seamlessly integrate the signage into the city’s aesthetic while improving functionality for visitors navigating the area’s festivals, family restaurants, and popular attractions like the world’s largest Christmas store.

Signage Features:
The wayfinding system includes:

  • Gateway Signs: Prominent entry markers at key approaches to the city, welcoming visitors and reinforcing the city’s brand.
  • Vehicular Directionals: Designed to efficiently guide drivers through Frankenmuth’s streets and to major destinations.
  • Pedestrian-Oriented Signage:
    • Fingerpost Signs: Inspired by European village signage, these compact, elegant signs help pedestrians easily find their way.
    • Kiosks: Decorative kiosks with distinctive red roofs serve as visual landmarks, offering four sides with up to three panels each for detailed wayfinding and marketing information.