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Facilities Services

Signage

Campus Planning is responsible for the design, purchasing, and install coordination of signage on campus. This includes permanent exterior and interior signage, and outdoor temporary signage.

Signage services include:

  • New signs and existing message changes for permanent exterior and interior signs
  • Temporary signs for events and construction detours, including maps and access instructions
  • Maintenance and repairs for most signs (depending on type)
  • Donor and recognition signage
  • Consultation on wayfinding strategies, such as access routes and room numbering
SUBMIT A SERVICE REQUEST
Two people looking at a sign

Application and Usage

The intent in positioning signage is to identify, direct, inform, or control. Choice of sign type depends on application, visibility, and target audience or potential users. Written and visual contents, as applicable, must be well organized and easily understood.

Most signs are requested by completing a Service Request. For further information, refer to the How To Order section, or contact Campus Planning and/or Signage Coordinator.

To report any signage repair/maintenance concerns, please email facilities@yorku.ca. Kindly note for any user initiated changes to existing signs, the cost is the responsibility of the request originator.

Exterior multi-directional fingerpole sign

Exterior Signage

This includes but is not limited to building identification, pedestrian and vehicular directional, jurisdictional, regulatory, traffic and parking, and other signs located in the outdoor environment.

Interior room identification sign

Interior Signage

This includes but is not limited to building directory, directional signs, identifications for rooms and building amenities, selected life safety signs, lettering for feature walls, and window/wall graphics located within buildings.

Detour sign with map, attached onto fence

Temporary Signage

These signs are intended to be used for short period of time and/or special circumstances. For example, providing information on detours and alternative travel routes; directing the York community and the public between event venues and public transit or designated parking lots.

Metal letters installed on concrete landscape wall

Recognition Signage

This includes but is not limited to donor naming on building facades or landscape walls, interior dedication signs, custom plaques for artwork or special collections, and awards displays.

No smoking and LEED building decals

Decals

This includes but is not limited to University vehicle branding, equipment labels, various instructional and regulatory signs (e.g. No Smoking/Vaping signs, Push/Pull signs), and life safety related stickers.

Close up of Glendon crest

Other Signage

This includes construction and promotional messaging on various substrates (e.g. vinyl canvas, fabric mesh, crezon panels), custom signs, digital stamps, and other signage related items.

Processes and Timelines

  • Signage for Existing Space
    • Client submits a request using the Signage SR Portal.
    • Signage Coordinator will contact the client to confirm requirements, set up meetings as necessary, and determine next steps.
  • Signage for Renovation Projects
    • Prior to construction completion, Signage Coordinator will contact the client to confirm requirements, set up meetings as necessary, and finalize signage scope.
  • Signage for New Construction or Major Capital Projects
    • In conjunction with the end user (or user committee), Campus Planning/Signage will assist in determining signage requirements and planning based on York’s Signage Standards. Signage Coordinator will liaison with external consultants, internal Project Managers within York, and/or selected vendors as necessary for any custom signage-related items.
  • Temporary Signage – Design, Printing, and Installation
    • Client submits a request using the Signage SR Portal.
    • Signage Coordinator will contact the client to confirm requirements, set up meetings as necessary, and determine next steps.
    • Grounds, Maintenance, or Signage Coordinator will perform installation (as required).
  • Temporary Signage – Installation Only
    • Client submits a request using the Generic SR Portal.
    • Grounds will contact the client to confirm requirements, set up meetings as necessary, and determine next steps.

In addition to working on University endorsed capital projects and renovations, we receive a large number of incoming Service Request submissions. We will make our best effort to complete the requests in a timely manner, although we are unable to guarantee any delivery deadlines. Project completion is also dependent on scope and size of the request/project.

Only Service Requests submitted and received before the end of February (depending on size and scope), may be considered for completion during the current fiscal year (by end of April).

** Due to COVID-19, we are working remotely and we continue to process Signage SR submissions. Please know that we may experience unforeseen delays (access to campus, manufacturing, installation scheduling, etc.) **

  • 2 – 3 weeks – Respond to Service Request
  • 1 week – Meet with client, do site checks
  • 2 weeks – Prepare drawings
  • 2 weeks – Send drawings to Vendor for Estimate/Quote
  • 1 week – Design/Quote review with Client for approval
  • 1 week – Provide direction to Vendor to proceed
  • 2 – 3 weeks – Review and approve Shop Drawings
  • 4 – 6 weeks – Fabrication
  • 1 week – Installation (if removal of existing and painting is required)
  • 16 – 20 weeks – TOTAL TYPICAL duration (4 – 5 months)
  • 2 – 5 days – Respond to Service Request, meet with client, do site checks (as required)
  • 2 – 5 days – Prepare drawings (as required), request Quote from Vendor
  • 2 – 5 days – Design/Quote review with Client for approval, provide direction to Vendor to proceed
  • 2 – 5 days – Fabrication, delivery, and installation (as required)
  • 8 – 20 days – TOTAL TYPICAL duration (2 – 4 weeks)

Signage Standards

Signage standards were created and implemented to establish a distinct and professional visual identity throughout the University. They intended to assist planners, designers and manufacturers of campus signage in achieving a controlled and unified system that maintains brand consistency.

Please refer to Building and Major Renovation Standards webpage for further details.