Located in northern Indiana, South Bend needed a fresh wayfinding system that would welcome and guide visitors to the various downtown districts and destinations. Spanning over 40 square miles, the sprawling landscape, and many diverse destinations throughout, made districts an essential part of the wayfinding logic. While many districts existed informally throughout the city, this plan formalized the district names by featuring them on signage in both an identification and direction-giving capacity.
The city flag inspired the design. Color and design elements were reinterpreted into physical sign components, such as the brackets, dimensional letters, and the rigid vertical banner on the back. Sign posts and bases were selected to coordinate with the existing downtown streetscape. Bold colored graphics call attention to the downtown pedestrian map kiosks, helping first-time visitors identify wayfinding information. Pedestrian signage also includes maps to orient the viewer and provides a list of nearby walkable destinations to encourage exploration of this vibrant community.