Discusses essential considerations when designing a campus-wide mass notification system, and the pros and cons of current notification systems. 8p.

Description of the environmental aspects of Manassas Park Elementary School + Pre-K in Manassas Park, Virginia, winner in the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green Projects in 2010. Inside and out, sustainable design is integrated with the elementary curriculum. Design decisions were made to showcase as many teachable moments as possible. A comprehensive signage program highlights green building facts, demystifies sustainable building systems, and describes flora and fauna found in the adjacent forest. 1p.

Cites disadvantages to audio mass notification, and advocates strategically placed visual alerting and smart LED signage in campus high traffic and gathering areas. 4p.

Contains CPTED guidelines (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) for Florida. The section on environs includes detailed information on location,edge conditions, and connection with the neighborhood. The section on site design covers landscaping, exterior pedestrian routes, vehicular routes and parking areas, recreational areas, signage and stormwater. Building interior spaces are also addressed. 55 p.

The City of Saratoga, California, in partnership with parents and school districts, have developed a program to plan and manage school traffic. This program guide provides the tools to assist in developing a traffic management plan for individual schools and includes sections on monitoring and enforcement, signage, site improvements and pedestrian safety. 50p

Extensive bibliography of articles and books on wayfinding in libraries, signs and the disabled, informational graphics, and more. 6p.

Using New York City's former South Bronx High School as an example, this document discusses techniques for distinguishing by graphics the small schools that share a large building. These include exterior banners and signage that feature distinctive typefaces, colors, and symbols. 34p.

Presents a compliation of studies conducted by color psychologists, medical, and design professionals. Biological reaction to colors affects vision, mood, and productivity. Thoughtful use of color also aids in wayfinding. Color suggestions for different age groups and room type are offered. (Includes 14 references.) 5p.

These are recommendations for improving safety conditions in front of schools and at school-related crosswalks. Includes a school crossing safety audit; information on the installation of school pavement stencils, fluorescent yellow-green school warning signs, and staggered crosswalks; procedures for student drop-off/pick-up procedures in school parking lots; and suggestions for safe walking plans, automated enforcement of speed limits at schools, and experimental traffic control.

This paper discusses research on "wayfinding" and the need for designers and planners to recognize its importance in order to provide more user-friendly environments. Orientation is the first step in successful wayfinding. Through images, names, and meanings, the concept of a sense of place can be grasped. Cognitive mapping is the process that enables individuals to mentally organize or comprehend stimuli; cognitive maps are formed by information from the environment which is obtained from the five senses. Research in urban planning, environmental psychology, sociology, architecture, interior design, and environmental graphic design has proven that wayfinding is not only a complex process, but a critical design issue involving several disciplines. Designers must be able to communicate different types of information to different types of users. Elements of an effective wayfinding system include: (1) spaces that are visually distinctive; (2) points of reference; (3) a building layout that is easy to understand and remember; (4) memorable landmarks; (5) signs, symbols, directories, and maps; (6) staff who are well-trained in giving instructions. (Contains 21 references.) 8p.

Many of the references in this bibliography are followed by a listing of ERIC descriptors to indicate the contents. The literature is pertinent to educational facilities design in providing for visual orientation, comprehension, and response to the physical environment. Listed items are presented in two sections: (1) human physiological, psychological, and sociological requirements for visual performances; and (2) the design of visual communications. 14p.

Provides updates on monitors, displays, and digital signage screens. Advantages include ability to update messages instantly and without waste, reduced costs for paper products, efficient information for directing people, multiple applications of the system, and news and information content.

Discusses selection of signage methods among available options. Topics include difficulties with traditional signage (posters, bulletin boards, hand-made signs) compared to the advantages of digital signage. Costs, wayfinding, security, emergencies, entertainment, and news are also addressed.

Offers detailed advice and suggestions for including Braille signage in schools, including choice of vendors and quality of materials to be used.

Advises on coordinated school signage that is integrated with the design of the building, rather than installed as an afterthought. LED signage, wayfinding, ADA considerations, color, material selection, and proper installation are also addressed.

Addresses the significant investment in digital signage that is frequently not used to maximum effectiveness. Topics include goals as well as in-house organizations and assignments, responsibility for content leadership, templates and uniformity, consideration of the amount of content presented at any one time, messages that are compelling and accurately grasped by the intended audience, and the implication of stale messages losing the audience. Two additional sections address the critical use of emergency messaging, and the creative use of interactivity at signage locations.

Discusses outdoor signage at universities, noting that larger signs with a strong campus identity are more desirable at satellite locations than around campus, where slower-moving traffic and pedestrians typically know that they are on campus.

Provides an overview of digital signage technology and its use in schools. Technology is described, as well as applications for digital signage in schools, and the anticipated costs for implementing digital signage. Author suggests that it will ultimately interface with students' other electronic communication, like mobile smart phones, electronic tablets, and laptops.

Describes dynamic signage—signage that can be changeed whenever wanted, including digital signs and poster replacement.

Discusses thorough school signage by illustrating the example of Cleveland High School in Rancho, New Mexico. The signage professionals approached wayfinding in stages, as the budget permitted. Signs for code compliance came first. Then, a detailed, color-coded system was installed by walking the building and letting their eyes tell them where signs needed to be and what they should say.

Discusses effective campus signage that presents a unified and logical wayfinding system. Visibility and readability of signs by all, including the visually or mobility challenged, is essential. Modular signs that can easily be updated and collaboration with occupants is encouraged.

The authors share how they were able to effectively use the digital signs found in stores, hospitals, businesses, and on billboards in an educational setting that included but was not limited to Winona State University's Krueger Library. The authors conclude that the digital signage provides the library and the entire campus with a dynamic, centralized mechanism for communicating.

Discusses the role of signage in "green" buildings, noting that most popular green materials do not meet code requirements for accessibility and fire safety. Modularity and reusability is offered as the key to creating sustainable signage.

Reviews types of digital signage, including stand-alone and Internet-based systems. Communication during emergencies, ease of updating, versatility of display, and ability to be alerted of a malfunctioning screen are among the benefits.

Discusses electronic campus signage, advising on placement, selling advertising space, getting students involved in content, preventing screen burn, and using the system for emergency broadcast.

Advises on signage requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These cover width-to-height ratios of lettering, character spacing, mounting locations and heights, Braille and pictorial symbols, finishes, and contrast.

Discusses what signage should accomplish in a K-12 school. Wayfinding, maintaining security, welcoming, and branding are addressed.

Discusses signage strategies for campuses, with particular attention to ADA compliance and easy wayfinding for all. Exploring the campus for decision points, creating consistent signage at each point, and consolidating all information into a signage manual are recommended.

Advises on evaluating a mass notification system for ease of use, reliability, scalability, cost, and features. Techniques for testing a vendor's system are suggested, as are considerations of message quality and functionality of the system. A short history of the first three generations of mass notification system features and pricing are illustrated in a table.

Discusses school digital bulletin board systems to showcase student work, make announcements, and advise in emergencies. Types of systems, their costs, and management are addressed.

Emphasizes the importance of a campus signage master plan that unifies size, color, placement, typeface, and hardware. This type of plan can and should be part of the institution's branding and can help unify a campus that is architecturally or otherwise diverse in its appearance.

Most school libraries have little funding for books, much less for redecorating. So what can a librarian do to give his or her library a makeover? This article presents a few cost-effective ways to renovate in just a few weeks. These tips include the use of colors, rearrangement of furnitures, signages, and more.

Discusses the value of digital signage to campus communication, including the ability to display instant and multiple messages, as well as decluttering a campus of traditional signage. Examples of institutions that have undertaken digital signage programs are included.

Advises on creating campus signage that is consistent, directs well, does not create clutter, and contributes to campus identity. Types of signage are described, and advice on designing, placing, and maintaining the accuracy of signage is included.

Reviews new Americans With Disabilibies Act (ADA) requirements for signage. Character proportion, mounting locations and heights, Braille and pictorial symbols, and finish and contrast are covered. Advice on choosing a signage professionals is included.

Presents a detailed table that outlines strengths and weakness of 17 types of audible, electronic, and visual emergency alert modalities.

Discusses environmental graphics and design for athletic facilities that enhance wayfinding as well as reinforce awareness of the institution's team mascot and colors. Advice on working with an architect/environmental design team is included.

Reviews the advantages of quality signage and environmental graphics on campuses, emphasizing the welcoming qualities of easy wayfinding, branding opportunities through signage, and the creation of a sense of place through cohesive graphics.

Reviews the good return on investment offered by quality school signage in conspicuous places. Signage for wayfinding, safety, and school morale is covered, and a checklist for signage selection, design, placement, and budgeting is included.

Discusses elements that contribute to a unified campus, including architecture, landscaping, signage, paving, circulation systems, outdoor furnishings and accessories, fencing, and lighting. Motivation and timing for undertaking a campus unification plan are discussed, with particular emphasis on inclusion of campus unification in the institution's master plan.

Reviews current and upcoming codes for mass notification systems that are coupled with fire alarm systems. These include multi-channel systems that accommodate customized messages for different areas or situations and high audio intelligibility.

This describes a whole new way to communicate news and information to students and other campus members, using digital displays.

Details three features of a successful campus signage program, using Brandeis University as an example. Signage as part of campus planning, identification of campus decision makers, and special consideration for first-time campus visitors are recommended.

Describes digital signage in schools that gives directions, makes announcements, and generates revenue by selling space to advertisers.

Describes the virtues of LED technology to school signage. LED technology produces fixtures that are durable, can be changed frequently, are becoming more affordable, and offer advantages to the visually impaired.

Discusses the importance of good signage for wayfinding and contributing to a campus identity. Five items to consider when embarking on a signage plan are included.

When the electricity goes out and a building must be evacuated, photoluminescent technology could be the guiding light that leads tenants to safety.

Advocates proper wayfinding and "branding" in campus signage, stressing care and uniformity with elements of color, materials, organization of information, and coordination with the marketing department.

Affordable wide-screen digital signs are finding multiple uses on campuses, and may even generate revenue. If there's a sale in the bookstore, a new cell phone plan for students, or a concert on campus, a digital sign can deliver the message. Even better, that message can be punched up with animated logos, photos, video clips, and text messages that change every few seconds. This includes tech tips and terms, and a list of digital signage companies.

Describes design features of safer parking structures, including open visibility, lighting, signage, CCTV, and landscaping.

Outlines elements of planning, signage and numbering schemes that enable easy wayfinding within educational facilities.

Presents tips on how to make school emergency communication procedures more efficient and effective. Highlights use of simple codes, and offers advice on staff training and emergency drills.

Examines why Penn State's wayfinding program wins high marks from students and visitors alike. The school's combination of major boundary markers, kiosks, lighting, and identification signs is discussed.

Provides a brief history of game scoreboards, including improvements in their technology. Scoreboard standards, safety, and outdoor scoreboard technology are addressed.

Discusses new technology in life safety lighting and exit signs that provides safer educational facilities at reduced costs. Exit sign light source cost comparisons are highlighted.

Discusses campus signage and the image it gives to visitors about the institution itself, as well as ways to evaluate existing sign systems to determine if they are properly conveying the messages intended. How design, graphics, colors, logos, fabrication, and location support the principal function of signs, not detract from them, is explored.

Discusses meeting ADA guidelines when purchasing permanent signs for schools. ADA guidelines are provided and the use of raised characters and braille are discussed. It notes that ADA guidelines are not building codes: noncompliance is enforced through the Justice Department.

Explains how to make a well-designed signage package that is effective and enhances visitor first impressions of an institution. Questions to ask when planning traffic pattern signage and the significance of the different hierarchy of signs are examined concluding with advice on signage design.

The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning public school building accessibility are summarized. Requirements discussed include facility design and braille and raised letter signs.