Art Deco is difficult to discover in the chaos of Rockefeller Center, especially during high tourist locations and times. In this three-week map signage project, I developed iconography and environmental signage to guide the target audience, tourists, to appreciate its grand architecture and intricate details.
Art Deco Sites in Rockefeller Center
The images above are documented by the Art Deco Society of New York, which has an extensive registry of Art Deco sites throughout New York. I focused on the Rockefeller Center category, which documents twelve impressive sites within a few blocks radius.
The images above are documented by the Art Deco Society of New York, which has an extensive registry of Art Deco sites throughout New York. I focused on the Rockefeller Center category, which documents twelve impressive sites within a few blocks radius.
Sketches
I referenced Art Deco designs and materials, thinking about how to incorporate them into the final signage structure. I also studied the intricate shapes and patterns of Art Deco art and architecture, which informed my iconography.
I referenced Art Deco designs and materials, thinking about how to incorporate them into the final signage structure. I also studied the intricate shapes and patterns of Art Deco art and architecture, which informed my iconography.
Iconography
The elegance of Art Deco can feel unapproachable, especially if people don't have a foundational understanding of art and architecture. To ensure accessibility and a sense of welcome, I developed an iconography system that feels familiar and charming.
The elegance of Art Deco can feel unapproachable, especially if people don't have a foundational understanding of art and architecture. To ensure accessibility and a sense of welcome, I developed an iconography system that feels familiar and charming.
Each icon signifies an individual site, which is marked on the parent sign, and again on the concrete in front of the Art Deco site. Viewers first see it on the parent map, and while they navigate the chaos of Rockefeller Center, stumble upon it again, painted on the sidewalk.
Parent Sign Location
In this visualization, I've placed one parent sign on 49th Street and 6th Avenue. This decision took into consideration a busy subway entrance/exit, existing monument of the fountain, and guiding foot traffic towards the Art Deco sites depicted on the sign.
In this visualization, I've placed one parent sign on 49th Street and 6th Avenue. This decision took into consideration a busy subway entrance/exit, existing monument of the fountain, and guiding foot traffic towards the Art Deco sites depicted on the sign.