William & Mary
WAYFINDING SIGNAGE
Explorers Studio partnered with The College of William & Mary to design a comprehensive interior wayfinding program for the 30,000-square-foot Earl Gregg Swem Library. Expanded multiple times over its history, the library had become complex to navigate, with evolving departments, study spaces, and collections spread across several levels. The new system was created to improve clarity, support changing space uses, and strengthen the Library’s connection to the university’s broader visual identity.
The interior signage program includes directories, directional signs, and room identification elements organized within a clear and flexible framework. Prominent directory units feature integrated orientation maps designed for easy updates as departments and collections shift over time. To stand out within the dense field of stacks and columns, the system employs strong color blocking and clean typography, drawing from William & Mary’s secondary brand palette to create visual distinction while maintaining institutional consistency. The result is an intuitive, cohesive wayfinding experience that enhances navigation and reinforces the character of Swem Library.
