The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County is made up of two buildings; the Rundel Memorial Library building, and the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building. The construction of the library system blends Beaux-Arts and Art Deco styles. It has been an important resource for the Rochester community and Genesee Valley history. Despite the rich history of the institution, it lacks a cohesive design language. I set out with my classmate, Emmet Blanchette, in order to find a way to unify the buildings and their visual identities.
In terms of wayfinding, the library system had a lot of inconsistencies. From the color palettes, to the type, size, placement, and naming convention, there didn’t seem to be a set standard for one building or the other, or for the system as a whole. Additionally, an analysis of the site showed that a first-time visitor would have trouble learning that the two buildings are part of the same library - and that they are connected via an underground passage.
I collaborated with Emmet in order to set goals and deliverables for this project. We decided to introduce
greater efficiency across all systems, ensuring easier navigation and wayfinding for visitors. We decided on
several print deliverables: Stationary You-Are-Here Maps, a new floor plan pamphlet that is easily
printable, a new digital catalogue interface for bookfinding, and new bookshelf signs. While I will only be
featuring the You-Are-Here maps and pamphlet in this case study, as I had the heaviest hand in their design,
Emmet and I contributed equally to this conceptual branding refresh.
In order to view the digital
catalogue and bookshelf signs, please contact Emmet at emmetblanchettedesign.com.
The aim with these stationary You-Are-Here maps was to simplify the floor plans of each building and cut down on the amount of information a visitor would have to consume to get where they needed to go. The maps are housed near the entrypoint of each floor. The viewer can tell where they are by locating a thumbtack stuck onto the illustration. This way, if the maps ever needed to be moved, the thumbtack can simply be adjusted to it’s new location, rather than having to reprint the map.
