The AIGA Symbol Signs collection was designed in the late 70s as system of universal symbols to be used on signage in public transportation systems, airports and other international hubs. As a collaboration between AIGA, the professional association for design, and the United States Department of Transportation, this collection of symbols was designed to communicate complex messages to people of different ages and cultures throughout national and international transit centers.

The typeface Frutiger was designed by Swiss type designer Adrian Frutiger, completed in 1975. Due to the success of Frutiger’s recently designed Univers variant for use by the Paris Metro a few years earlier, he was commissioned by the French airport authority to design a new alphabet to be used in signage for the new Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris.

The concept of wayfinding is an important part of any well designed environment. When visiting a strange new place, viewers need to be able to find their way to their destination. A good wayfinding system will allow them to reach their destination easily, quickly and (hopefully) with as few headaches as possible. So what things make a wayfinding system successful?

New Jersey is the most densely populated and most culturally diverse state in the nation with more roadways per square mile than any other state. Because of the diversity of people, cultures, geography and tourist destinations, New Jersey is the perfect candidate for a statewide wayfinding plan.