MSU Union
Wayfinding, Signage
In collaboration with Skye Marie Armstrong
For nearly a century, the Michigan State University Union served as the hearth of the Spartan community supporting generations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. As more Spartans joined the university and their wants and needs changed, so did the Union.
The building includes study spaces for students, meeting rooms for events, various stores, and much more. When the university officially changed its name to Michigan State University in 1955, a handicap-accessible ramp was added. However, the current state of the Union’s wayfinding system has not been maintained to effectively address or improve accessibility.
As the Union’s 100th anniversary approaches, there should be an immediate concern to enhance the wayfinding system with a focus on accessible design. This project aims to set a standard for the Union and, more importantly, for Michigan State University to ensure that the Spartan community continues to feel welcomed and embraced in a space meant to be a home away from home.
The Spartan community is diverse and ever-growing. Students, staff, and visitors all utilize the Union, and is a central location on campus. This aspect is so essential that our sketches aim to create a more cohesive system that addresses improvements in accessibility and remains flexible to accommodate multiple events and uses.
