Navigating a Better Museum Experience

Designer Lonny Israel on crafting new signage for a San Francisco institution

Collaborating with the Asian Art Museum, Lonny Israel (above) and his studio developed a new signage and wayfinding system which provides visual clarity and reinforces the institution’s brand. Photo © Henrik Kam
Signage on the exterior of the new building (left) and rendering of banner strategy on the original (right) reinforce the museum’s identity. Photos: Left © Henrik Kam, right © SOM
Left to right: Dr. Robert Mintz, AAM Deputy Director; Dr. Jay Xu, AAM Director and CEO; Caryl Sherpa AAM Project Manager; Dan Maxfield, SOM Associate; and Lonny Israel during a design meeting at SOM’s San Francisco office. Photo © SOM
Signage at AAM is designed as a subtle nod to the institution’s distinct logo, using the same angle of the upside-down “A” to create folds in some of the forms. Photos © Henrik Kam
The Asian Art Museum’s new set of pictograms. Left image © SOM, right photo © Henrik Kam
Israel’s team wanted wall texts to be “approachable and legible, not to feel like you were studying.” Photo © Henrik Kam
Photos © Henrik Kam

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We are a collective of architects, designers, engineers, and planners building a better future. To learn more, visit www.som.com.

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We are a collective of architects, designers, engineers, and planners building a better future. To learn more, visit www.som.com.