Signs of the Times - February 2014 - (Page 66)

A Designer's View of Health-Care Signage The CEO of Kerestes Martin Assoc. (KMA Design) offers insights. By Barbara Martin Photo by Jeff J. Fuhrmeister H ealth-care signage has been a specialty of Martin's Carnegie, PA-based design firm. Here, she answers several questions about the current state of health-care signage in these turbulent times. In your experience, when a healthcare facility is initially designed, when is signage typically addressed? Beginning? Middle? The last minute? When a new facility is designed, signage can be a part of the project at any stage. In cases where the designer is hired as a sub-consultant to an architect, they can be on board from the start. Often, this can make the effort a long process - spanning years with many submittals, revisions and edits required - to coincide with the ongoing architectural alterations. This isn't the most profitable venture for a design firm, due to unknown and extenuating circumstances, as well as a lengthy schedule. When a design firm is hired 66 SIGNS OF THE TIMES February 2014 directly by the health facility, it usually occurs after the construction of the new facility has begun. This is the most advantageous and accurate means of producing a sign package, because the planning and programming require few edits, and the architecture is less of a moving target. And finally, there is the worstcase scenario, when the signage is forgotten, or put on the back burner, until the very end of the construction. Undue pressure falls on the design firm to program, design and review the wayfinding program with the client, as well as see that a fabricator has enough time to produce accurate shop drawings, manufacture and install. Inspections and code compliance often require early bid packages to ensure approvals are not held up by fire or building inspectors. This entire process is hurried and, in the end, it costs a facility more. Both the designer and fabricator have to take into account the rushed turnaround, and the hours necessary to execute the work in a compressed amount of time. Therefore, clients are charged a premium. Generally, which aspect would be deemed more important by the end user? The placement of signage, the legibility or the aesthetics? I have to say that one is as important as the other. Placement of room signs is crucial to meet ADA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - February 2014

Signs of the Times - February 2014
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Welcome to the 21st Century
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review: Cyrious online
Technology Review: Sign and Printmakers Guild
Sign Museum News
New Products
Walls of Fame
A Designer’s View of Health-care Signage
Health-care Signage: Care Required
Health-care Signage Trends
Estimating Software
Dynamic Digital Signage Made Simple, Part 2
Industry News
Advertising index
Editorially speaking

Signs of the Times - February 2014