We’re pleased as punch that our Shepton Mallet wayfinding scheme has won the top prize at The Sign Awards!
We always enjoy working with sign manufacturers, and this project was no different. Alongside Astra Signs we worked with Shepton Mallet Town Council to bring this scheme forward. The finished article is looking really smart in situ and we’re thrilled that the judges understood our overall approach to improving wayfinding across the town centre.
What was it?
A comprehensive town centre wayfinding strategy to improve visitor numbers in the historic core.
Shepton Mallet is a small Somerset market town with a rich history that warrants celebration, better understanding and more visitors. It’s known for the origins of Babycham as well as cider and is actually geographically closer to Glastonbury Festival than the festival’s namesake.
However, over recent decades it has lost its focus after out-of-town retail development drew the centre of gravity away from the historic shopping core. It’s an easily walkable town but most visitors drive around its edges, drawn to the out-of-town retail offer and free parking, despite the centre only being a 10 to 15-minute walk away.
What did we do?
Our biggest challenge was raising awareness and encouraging people to make that conscious effort to explore the centre and what it has to offer.
We devised a wayfinding scheme that would bring to life the stories of this historic town and highlight the town’s visitor offer – principally, its parks, gaol museum, retail areas and historic trails. The aim was to encourage more visitors on foot to walk a little further and stay a little longer.
The award-winning design
We extrapolated the town’s brand into eye-catching distinctive signs that reinforced the “quirky and bold” personality of the town. We contrasted the bright brand colours against the dull bronze colour to catch the user’s eye and used an aperture to frame the high street, piquing interest and drawing them in.
We presented information clearly and accessibly for pedestrians and wheelchair users and made colour choices that fit within the environment. Signs were organised with the intent of gently choreographing visitors around the town with ease giving them the confidence to walk a little further.
