Signage

Signage and graphics may vary between campuses, but there should be a distinct shared expression of the UTSA identity through such elements as color, typography, form, and materials.

Campus Orientation

Existing signage at the corners of the site helps to create a sense of arrival for approaching motorists, but it does not function as a reference point. Entrance identification signage should remain distinct from directional signage to allow users to intuitively distinguish between signs that identify facilities from signs that direct people to destinations. Entrance identification signage should be placed at all new campus entries.

Directional Signage

The existing signage system should remain focused on directing first-time or infrequent campus visitors to their desired destinations. Emphasis should be on maintaining the consistency of design and simplicity of messages being conveyed to motorists and pedestrians.

Directional signage should continue to bring campus visitors through a step-by-step hierarchical and logical sequence of destination-based information. The sequence should culminate with the specifics of parking accommodations for motorists and facility information for pedestrians.

At the campus perimeter, signage should direct motorists to zones within the campus and to the drive-up visitor information kiosks. Zoning the campus allows for more concise messages, but also requires motorists to know which zone their desired destination falls into prior to arriving on campus. Those who require assistance should be directed to one of the information booths where they may obtain specific information and directions.

Campus Information Signage

Changeable information signs should be provided adjacent to Loop 1604 and UTSA Boulevard. These locations will allow the signs to display information to most campus users in addition to communicating UTSA's identity and presence to other motorists. These large-scaled programmable messaging sign systems should have either 8- or 16-color LED displays, and must comply with the regulations of both the city of San Antonio and TxDOT. Smaller scale LED displays would work well at locations such as the new drop-off point adjacent to the Convocation Center and at the athletic facilities on the West Paseo. Also, LCD kiosks are a possible way to provide both directional signage and campus information.

Buildings, Plazas, and Paseos

All building façades facing the Sombrilla Plaza and the paseos should be identified with façade-mounted individual letterforms. The full name of the building should be identified, such as "Multidisciplinary Studies." New signage should match the typeface and height of the existing signage. Letterforms should have a duranodic bronze finish that contrasts with the precast or cast-in-place concrete of the façades. Buildings clad in stone may have painted letterforms that simulate brushed aluminum. This signage should be placed in a visible area adjacent to the building entry, typically directly above the door.

Freestanding building identification pylons may be used in other areas. Two sizes of freestanding building identification signs are currently utilized depending on the relative scale of the building and the area of campus in which it is located.

The design and placement of signage should stress the importance of the paseos and should reinforce the north-south-east-west designations. Signage design should simplify wayfinding by consolidating various signs such as paseo identification, pedestrian maps, and directional information into a minimum number of locations. The existing kiosks should not be replicated in new development.

Materials and Maintenance

Freestanding signage construction should continue the use of aluminum panels painted with an automotive quality, acrylic polyurethane coating by the Matthews Paint Company or equal. The selected colors are light-toned orange and blue. The text should be made from 3M Scotchlite reflective vinyl. Signage should follow "The University of Texas at San Antonio Signage Graphic Standards" program, created by Fuller, Dyal and Stamper, Inc., December 1994.