Wayfinder: a way Farragut improves signs for visitors
In looking at how the Town can best lead visitors, new and current residents and businesses to the Town with signage and other visuals, Visit Farragut is on a mission to develop a Wayfinding Needs Assessment and Plan.
As part of that assessment, Town officials, business leaders and residents weighed in with their ideas during a workshop in Farragut Town Hall Monday, Sept. 26.
“This is an exciting project for the Town of Farragut,” Visit Farragut Tourism manager Karen Tindal stated in a press release.
The initiative was funded through an American Rescue Plan grant. The workshop was intended to drive discussions on “how wayfinding helps communities connect people, manage image and elevate experience,” Tindal said.
“A lot of times we’re very visual people, but to start thinking about how these things can translate visually helps us, kind of, gauge where your spectrum lies … so we can hit the ground running and developing some visuals for the signage,” said Jamie Wilhelm, Guide Studio design wayfinding strategist.
The group went through activities, such as looking at the Town through the eyes of a visitor, a business owner and a resident in how the Town can improve messaging, a sense of welcome, finding parking and attracting people.
For example, assistant Town administrator Trevor Hobbs said people want to know where to find live music events, such as at Founders Park at Campbell Station, while Darryl Whitehead, general manager of Pinnacle at Turkey Creek, observed people are looking for independent restaurants and quaint shops.
As a new resident, Farragut Municipal Planning Commissioner Jon Greene said, as a new resident, he toured the neighborhoods to get a sense of the community.
The group also took part in a group activity that involved marking a map of Farragut with “best road experiences,” future developing locations and top destinations.
“We take these maps and make a strategy,” Wilhelm said.
Visit Farragut recently partnered with Guide Studio of Cleveland, Ohio, to develop the wayfinding plan for the Town, according to Kristi Vining, Tourism assistant with Visit Farragut.
“Visit Farragut’s Tourism Assessment Plan identified wayfinding and placemaking as a top priority to meet the demands of the Town’s growing population, increased visitation and tourism development opportunities and business growth,” Vining stated in the press release. “The goal of the project is to outline a needs assessment for a future Town-wide wayfinding signage plan that can be implemented in stages, as budget and time allows.
“Visit Farragut has contracted with Guide (Studi) to develop a foundation for the project by providing a needs assessment, defining specific project goals and identifying sites, signage types, and locations,” she added. “The needs assessment plan will include identification of the types of signage that will best serve the needs of The Town of Farragut; identification of neighborhood thoroughfares, zones, primary routes, major areas, points of interests and destinations; and recommended signage placement, types and elements.
“Wayfinding and branding are tools to enhance and celebrate your community’s image. They help establish a quality and character that boosts reputation.
“It states that this place is ‘cared for,’ and a place that is well-loved and cared for is a place where people and businesses want to be,” said Cathy Fromet, president of Design Studio.
Guide conducted a site visit to Farragut Sept. 25-27. During that site visit, it hosted discovery sessions with Visit Farragut-identified core client team, steering committee and community stakeholders. Guide also participated in an experience tour of Farragut and facilitated the Sept. 26 working session with selected key players.
Vining said a conceptual presentation and design direction will be shared with the steering committee in late October, and a program budget and development proposal will be shared later in the fall.
She said the selection of a consultant for this project began in early spring. “Guide Studios was chosen for their 25 years of expertise and partnerships around wayfinding and design services ...,” Vining stated in the press release.
