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Creating the Eatery at Elder Dining Commons
As part of the extensive $19 million renovation project at Elder Dining Commons, my role was to brand the new space with a captivating theme and visually engaging elements. With “The Eatery” theme, I aimed to communicate powerful messages of sustainability and social responsibility through informative design. In this blog post, I will showcase a combination of renderings used for planning and the final printed results, highlighting the successful integration of branding and visual aesthetics.
Balancing Aesthetics + Functionality
To maintain a balanced visual atmosphere in the newly renovated dining hall, I designs graphics for entranceways and stations, to focus on functional and directional aspects. Aiming to preserve the integrity of the beautiful interior architecture, only essetential graphics were placed to not overwhelm the space. By doing so, we ensured a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality throughout the dining hall.
Types of Signage Installed
Visual Indicators for Accessibility
The overarching idea was to provide valuable information to students through graphics and signage. We recognized the importance of raising awareness about food waste, prompting us to incorporate messages at the dish return area to encourage mindful consumption. Students were also empowered students to advocate for themselves if they have allergy concerns through posters while promoting the dining program and brand.
Using Renderings as a Essential Tool
Rendering played a pivotal role in gaining leadership approval for our proposed graphic concepts. By presenting the renderings, we were able to provide a comprehensive visual representation of how the branding and informative graphics would harmonize with the overall dining environment. This approach ensured that leadership had a clear understanding of the intended design and its impact, facilitating smoother decision-making and execution processes.
Paying Close attention to Detail
Enhancing the visibility of Elder Dining Commons, located in the basement of the dining hall, became a key marketing strategy to overcome its reputation of being hard to locate. A range of visual indicators were implemented such as window decals, yard signs, and banners that effectively directed students and guests to the dining hall’s entrance. By increasing its accessability, we successfully attracted new visitors and generated excitement among students and guests, revitalizing the dining hall’s presence after a prolonged closure during the renovations.
Precision in Measuring + Visualizing the Space
During the early phases of the project we started considering measurement and sizing of the graphics. Through thorough discussions and on-site walkthroughs, we determined the optimal dimensions for each graphic and selected the appropriate printing materials, such as acrylic standoffs, window decals, or vinyl wraps. This approach allowed us to visualize how the graphics would seamlessly integrate within the dining hall.
Communicating Information
Another part of the process was labeling of various stations, including dedicated sections for gluten-free options, allergy-conscious stations, and kosher offerings. I chose to create the signs using “Segoe”, one of the fonts Northwestern Dining uses when communicating important messages. I also ensured the text matched up with the printing specs.
Conclusion to the Dining Commons
Achieving a successful integration of branding and visual aesthetics in the Elder Dining Commons renovation project required meticulous planning, careful consideration of measurement and sizing, and strategic graphic placement. By prioritizing functionality and directional aspects, a balanced visual atmosphere was maintained. Renderings also played a crucial role in gaining leadership approval and providing a comprehensive visual representation of the proposed design. With the implementation of visual indicators and marketing strategies, we successfully increased the visibility and accessibility of the dining hall.
Allison Dining Commons Signage