December 2, 2021 Reanne Duffy

Sheffield based Dyson Signs makes a notable contribution to the city’s sign-scape with a flawlessly executed wayfinding scheme for the Sheffield City Hall…

 

Sheffield is not found wanting for notable architecture and its City Hall is a beautiful building. It’s grade II listed and was designed in the 1920s. Its construction was delayed for years because of the economic woes of the time and it wasn’t officially opened until the early 30s. It was built and owned by Sheffield City Council.

 

Despite the damage inflicted in the Second World War, some of which still scars the building’s exterior, the ‘hall still stands and today it’s managed my Sheffield City Trust. It is operated as a venue for concerts among other things by Sheffield International Venues.

 

All concert venues have a challenge in common. Moving large volumes of people around and ensuring they finish up in the right place as efficiently as possible. That’s a job that falls to wayfinding signage. Producing and installing all the elements that qualify as a quality wayfinding system requires two things of any would-be manufacturer: 1, sign fabrication skills, 2, a talent for complex project management. Both can be found with a phone call to Dyson Signs.

 

Dyson Signs’ work is out there in depth around the city and beyond. In addition to an impressive clientele comprising commercial concerns, Dyson Signs has also contributed significantly to developing brands among the city’s schools and in its leisure sector too.

 

On this occasion, Dyson Signs’ capabilities were needed to install an ambient signage and wayfinding scheme in the Sheffield City Hall in accordance with a prescribed design and deployment plan. The signs would comprise totems or monolithic fabrications, wall-mounted directories and panels among other things. As with most wayfinding schemes, success looked like getting a lot of information communicated efficiently and legibly while maintaining the closely managed aesthetic.

 

Printed Metamark MD5-A was used by Dyson Signs’ production team extensively across the signing programme. Printed in the colours needed and with detail imposed, it was used to wrap a whole range of fabricated signing structure and information bearing panels that would help the venue keep its visitors moving in the right direction.

 

Managing complex signing projects down to the last detail is something of an expertise that Dyson Signs can claim. Proof if needed, exists in projects like the Sheffield City Hall’s wayfinding. It directs. It informs. And it contributes its own aesthetic while counterpointing surrounding architecture.