Chu.IX
CNE Wayfinding System
Contributing Creatives
Kelly Van
My Role
3D Modelling,
Signage Design,
Team member.
Apps Used
Conceptual Design for CNE
Focus
Environmental Design,
Wayfinding,
Graphic Systems.
SketchUp
Illustrator
Photoshop
Overview
A comprehensive wayfinding and signage system designed for the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). This academic team project reimagined the visitor arrival experience by transforming a previously chaotic parking lot into a navigable, branded, and welcoming environment. We selected the CNE because it is one of Canada’s—and Toronto’s—largest annual attractions and a longstanding part of the city’s history. Given the scale and significance of the event, it provided an ideal context for our design challenge.
Problem
Urban parking lots are often confusing, unsafe, and aesthetically "cold," creating a poor first impression for visitors. The CNE required a solution that would not only manage high-volume traffic flow but also extend the excitement of the exhibition into the arrival space.
Our Process
To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges visitors face, our team conducted site visits to several Toronto parking lots, examining their wayfinding systems, signage, and overall user experience. By identifying both effective practices and common pain points, we built a clear foundation for refining the CNE arrival experience.
These findings directly informed the development of our wayfinding strategy, which focused on:
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Branded entrance identities: Crafting distinctive and memorable names for each building entrance to strengthen recognition and reinforce the CNE brand.
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Cohesive visual language: Designing a unified signage system that integrates icons, symbols, and a consistent colour palette to improve clarity and visual continuity.
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Integrated 3D environment: Bringing all system components together in a detailed 3D model that showcases how the signage and wayfinding elements function within the physical space.
The Solution
We developed a cohesive visual language that blends high-visibility clarity with the CNE’s vibrant brand identity. Using SketchUp to model the 3D environment and Adobe Illustrator to create the graphics, we designed a comprehensive signage and graphic system that represents the CNE. The signage serves both as a functional navigational tool and a welcoming brand touchpoint, reducing driver frustration while building anticipation for visitors.
Wayfinding Organization and Planning
We organized all sign types into an alphanumeric coding system to clearly track placement and maintain consistency across the site. Using this system, we mapped and visualized the location of each sign within the parking layout, ensuring efficient traffic movement and a safe, intuitive experience for pedestrians.
Developing Graphic System
Creating Finalized Physical Signage
Final 3D Mockups
