Exterior Signage, Graphics, and Wayfinding

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Policy Number:
UW-6037
Responsible Office:
Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy establishes the framework to implement and maintain a comprehensive, unified exterior sign system that meets the wayfinding and communication needs of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s numerous and diverse constituencies who utilize its facilities.

Definitions:
Campus Development Plan Boundary (Board of Regents Property)
The Board of Regents approved boundary around campus denoting properties/areas in which the board currently owns or is interested in acquiring as properties/areas become available.
Graphic(s)
Any object or image that reflects an association with the university and is designed to be seen from a public area or within a university facility.
Sign/Signage
A visual or tactile element utilized to communicate a message, information, or identification through typography, symbols, and pictograms
Standards
Established mandatory expectations and requirements set by responsible offices and others. In this case Facilities Planning and Management.  Are usually developed in accordance with published federal, state, or industry regulations, requirements, or standards and apply university wide unless otherwise specified.
Temporary signs 
A visual or tactile element utilized to communicate a message, information, or identification through typography, symbols, and pictograms for a limited, predetermined amount of time.
Wayfinding
The process of navigating one’s way to a destination; spatial problem solving comprising three independent processes; information processing, decision making, and decision execution.
Scope:

This policy applies to all temporary, permanent, and corporate signage on UW-Madison lands within the Campus Development Plan Boundary owned, leased, or controlled by the Board of Regents.

Policy:
  1. Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is authorized to:
    1. Exercise design approval on all signage conforming with the university visual identity and graphic standards.
    2. Determine the need for the sign, its location, sizing, type, graphics, and typeset layout.
    3. Develop, implement, and enforce the Exterior Signage, Graphics & Wayfinding Standards.
    4. Coordinate the installation and maintenance of all signs.
    5. Make minor modifications to the Exterior Signage, Graphics & Wayfinding Standards. Significant modifications and additions should be approved by the Campus Planning Committee.
  2. Approval Process. All signage must:
    1. Meet the standards and requirements set forth in the Exterior Signage, Graphics & Wayfinding Standards.
    2. Be reviewed and approved by FP&M prior to any design work or outside consultation taking place on temporary, permanent, and banner signage. FP&M will facilitate the process of purchase and installation of the signage. The requesting entity is responsible for all costs associated with the purchase and installation of signage. 
  3. Areas outside UW property and within City of Madison rights-of-way require a formal submittal of the ‘Application for Portable Signs in the Right-of-Way’ to the City of Madison Building Inspection Division. All campus lands from University Avenue (including University Avenue) south are adjacent to City of Madison rights-of-way. Coordinate with Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture.
  4. Signage on UW property outside the Campus Development Plan Boundary must follow this policy whenever possible and appropriate while maintaining compliance with local jurisdiction requirements.
  5. Exceptions/Variances
    1. The Lakeshore Nature Preserve and UW Arboretum have their own policies and standards for exterior signage. They may reference the UW-Madison standards where appropriate but are exempt from their application on their designated lands and buildings. Coordination with UW-Madison is encouraged.
    2. UW Health is governed by the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority as the integrated health system of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They may reference the standards where appropriate but are exempt from their application on their designated lands. Coordination with UW-Madison is encouraged.
    3. Exceptions/Variances will be addressed on an as needed basis by FP&M. They do not constitute precedent for future or similar exemptions and deviations.
    4. If a sign is not approved by FP&M, the client may appeal the decision following the process identified in the Exterior Signage, Graphics & Wayfinding Standards.
  6. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this policy and the Exterior Signage, Graphics & Wayfinding Standards may constitute grounds for signage removal by FP&M, which reserves the right to charge for the cost of removal and any associated repairs, cleaning, or façade damage. It may also result in the inability for the sign owner to post or install exterior signage in the future.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Associate Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Management
Policy Manager:
Director, Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture
Contact:
Campus Planning & Landscape Architecture -- Jonathan Bronk, jonathan.bronk@wisc.edu, (608) 263-0977
Revised Dates:

04-05-2024

Retrieved:
12-03-2024 03:53:46