Signage system for Portuguese public school network. Design bid

Runner-up bid in a competition held by Parque Escolar and the Portuguese Design Center to create a signage system that would address the needs of the diversified universe of public schools in Portugal.

The solution presented by FBA was founded on the principles of a flexible and modular system capable of being applied in very different contexts. The square shape, either used isolated or grouped, fulfilled all the needs of providing information, identification and way finding. The prototype submitted in the competition was the result of an innovative recycling process using industrial debris to produce the main elements of the signage system.

The signage system also included bespoke display cases - designed in collaboration with the architecture firm Atelier do Corvo. These display cases were planned to solve a specific problem identified at most schools. The immense amount of printed A4 sheets with all sorts of information and warnings scattered on the walls of schools would be drawn into contained areas.

Signage for the blind was also taken into consideration. Developed with the help of the local ACAPO (Portuguese association of the blind), two elements were designed to work together: high relief markings on floor next to each door signal the existence of Braille information on the wall above at door handle level.

The font used in this project is Flama, designed by Portuguese type designer Mário Feliciano.

Parque Escolar is a company created by the Portuguese Ministry of Education with the aim of fulfilling a program to modernize the national public school network.