Signs of improvement are cropping up everywhere at UB.

After years of planning, the university finally is getting a new look in terms of its exterior signage. Gone are the 400-odd outdated, drab signs of another era, and arriving in front of every building, entranceway, parking lot and beyond are more than 600 uniform, more aesthetically pleasing signs that aim to freshen UB's look, as well as make navigation of the campuses that much easier.

"The idea is to significantly improve our visual identity," says Asmundur Sveinsson, associate facilities program coordinator in Facilities Planning and Design for University Facilities, and manager of the exterior signage project. "This is a complete system—it takes you from macro to micro."

The nearly $3 million project is a collaborative effort involving Facilities Planning and Design and the Signage Advisory Committee, which was established after the university introduced its new interlocking UB logo in 1997 and charged with developing a strategy to improve exterior signage.

The project could be finished by the close of the fall semester, Sveinsson said.

The new signage presents a consistent image in its use of the university's colors—gray and blue—and the interlocking UB logo. To make "wayfinding"—or navigation—easier, all building signage reflects the new quadrant system being implemented on the campuses, with a color-coded band across the top of each building sign. The colored bands correspond with the new standard-issue map of the campuses, designed by the Office of Creative Services in University Communications, which designates areas of the campus by color coding. The North Campus is divided into four quadrants—the Ellicott Complex (green), the Academic Complex (yellow), the Services Complex (purple) and Arts and Athletics (orange)—while the South Campus also has four—the Housing Complex (green), the Academic Complex (yellow), the Services Complex (purple) and the Medical and Dental Complex (blue).

Locator maps featuring the new quadrant system will be featured in some 20 small directory vehicular and pedestrian signs to be erected on each campus, as well as in three large directory signs on the North Campus and one on the South Campus. All signs will be illuminated in the evening for maximum visibility.

New parking lot, bus stop, and service and delivery signs also are part of the overall plan, as are campus event boards, and welcome signs.

"We're more coordinated than we've ever been," Sveinsson noted.

Also new to the campuses are entranceway—or "ceremonial"— signs. Posted at all major entrances to the campuses, the greeting signs—some as large as 19 feet tall by 23 feet wide—serve to clearly announce the university's presence. And in keeping with the style of each campus, the signs on the North Campus boast brick pillars, while those on the South Campus feature stone.

The design, by Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Mass., is one that members of UB's signage committee found both user-friendly and collegially elegant.

"You realize what type of university you're at," said Dean Reinhart, senior admissions advisor in the Office of Admissions and a member of the signage committee. "The signs are now starting to (rise) to the level of what the university is—(they) represent to everyone who we are."

From an admissions standpoint, he said, the signage "impacts everyone."

"New students—and even current students—can develop pride in the school," he said. "There's a recognition in being on campus."

"It will also assist Western New Yorkers who regularly drive through the campus understand the campus as a whole and what we have to offer here," he added.

Whereas prior to this project, UB's signage was modest—if not nonexistent in some pockets of the campuses—many hope the new signage will inspire new confidence in the university.

"You get the feeling now that you're on a college campus," said Peter Killian, assistant vice president of marketing for the Office of University Communications. "It's very defining—we're proud of UB."

Killian said the committee would like to see additional elements implemented down the road, such as pole banners and visitor booths. But the next step, he said, is to take the signage initiative inside.

Ann Newman, director of space planning in the Office of the Provost, said UB is piloting an interior signage program this fall in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.