Toronto Pearson Signage System
Design a new signage system for the baggage handlers at Toronto International Airport.
The Solution
The system needs to be recognizable at a glance, as baggage handlers move fast, and the temperature extremes leaves little time for getting lost. Concept, produce, prototype, and iterate in a month.
The Process
Week one, quickly draw up ideas and pull inspiration to feed our thinking. Week two, narrow down system to start prototyping. Week three head to Toronto to test in place, and get feedback from users—that’s right—interrupt very busy bag throwers and ask them about the signs. We took those insights and synthesized our point-of-view while flying back to San Francisco. Week four iterate on the design system. Next, research venders and resources for our stakeholder to regularly produce new signs. Finalize design system, build out tools to support the field team to ensure consistency in production.
Client
Toronto Pearson International Airport [YYZ]
&
Greater Toronto Airports Authority [GTAA]
Industry
Air Transport
Team
Design Lead & Designer / Anthony Stimola
—
Project Lead & Environments Designer / Nic Pajerski
Building a signage system.
In order to design a system that would work for the baggage handlers, I needed to test our assumptions to learn what would be the most successful recommendation. Initial prototypes were hung in the space, so that myself and my partner could gather feedback under real use conditions.
Beyond the signage system, I quickly built some mock ups for recommendations on how the greater way-finding system could play out across the entire airport.
[Below]
1. Major Apron Crossroads
2. Color Coding Air-vents (highlighting baggage belts)
3. Lateral Baggage Belt Doors 
