Mirror Works by Workspace Wayfinding - system design, prototyping concepts & signage production 

When Workspace approached Glyphics to develop a directional signage system for their new Mirror Works building in East London, we recognised an opportunity to elevate functional wayfinding into a striking design statement. To achieve our goal, we worked alongside commercial interiors practice, Trifle, and extended their initial aesthetic concepts for the space into a seamless navigational experience.

OverviewSystem DesignPrototyping ConceptsSignage ProductionConclusionFAQs

Our focus was to build upon the interior design vision from Trifle, amplifying existing details from their illustrations by incorporating them into our own artwork. Workspace's brief asked Glyphics to conceptualise all the wayfinding signage for doors, windows and walls, before building and installing the final approved solutions with a view to enhancing the user experience for visitors and tenants alike.  This was the entire scope of the required signage:

Building Identity

• Logo/Lettering

External Signage

• Entrance Sign

• Temporary Signs: Marketing Flags + ‘To Let’ Banner

• Later Additions: High Level Building Sign + Café Sign

Internal Signage

• Main Directory Board + Hello Message

• Floor Level Indicators

• Wayfinding Signs

• Meeting Room Signs + Glass Manifestation

• Studio Signs + Numbering

• Café Sign + Menu

• Tea Point Signs

• WC, Showers + Phone Booth Signs

General Signage

• Recycling + Warning Signs

The first task of any project is finding out or figuring out the plan for how people will move through the space in question. In the case of Mirror Works, Glyphics was responsible for determining routes and defining a set of rules to cohesively present navigational information.

Here are the basics of what we did to build the signage strategy for the Mirror Works brief.

Indoor Mapping:

• We started by understanding the different needs of those who'll use the co-working office such as staff, contractors, tenants and visitors. This involved looking at floor plans to figure out custom navigation patterns and doing a walk about to gather real time requirements through route following, inference aiming and map reading.

Document Flow:

• Putting pen to paper, we developed a signage system in principle that is intuitive, easy to understand and uniform throughout the space, sense checking it with the client and evolving it through improved iterations where necessary.

Strategic Placement:

• We positioned signs at crucial decision-making locations throughout the office, e.g. corridors, entrance areas and near lifts. Wall signs were set at eye level so they'd be spotted quickly and read easily, enhancing the navigation experience.

Interactive Features:

• As a traditional signmakers, we were mindful of any tech elements our clients plan to utilise, such as QR codes or augmented reality, incorporating that functionality when developing the wayfinding system.

Branding Elements:

• We co-opted the company’s design brand guide and Incorporated elements such as logos, fonts and colour palettes to reinforce the corporate identity throughout the signage design, building an instantly recognisable environment.

Clarity / Consistency:

• Compiling signs into a collection, achieving homogeneity through little details such as legible typography, methodical use of colour, graphics that correspond to the space and a uniform set of icons across the entire office-scape.

Thematic Choices:

• Our solutions were in sync with the interior design vision. Delivering our own take on Trifle's directive, we adopted matt tone finishes or brass accents and fret cut numbers or filigree details to complement the colours and textures of the space. 3D signs and wraparound plaques would play with the eye and make consuming information enjoyable.

Creative Design:

• Done right, the aesthetics of original signage concepts impress a company’s values upon a space while making it a desirable place to be. A considered combination of artisan methods, material choices, build types, mounting techniques, surface finishes and innovative lighting elevate signage into decor​.

While identifying a wayfinding strategy begins with conducting a comprehensive audit and ends with solutions that bring said strategy to life, for us as seasoned signmakers, there's a little bit more to it than that.

Wayfinding serves a fundamental purpose in both public and private spaces, yet there's more to explore beyond its functional role. It is not just about whether people are lost or efficiently moving from point A to point B. At Glyphics, our efforts go beyond simply deciphering how to direct people to their destinations or point out the facilities.

We're also tackling the nuanced questions: 'Are people feeling bored here?' 'Is this a positive environment for the wellbeing of those in it?' When designing routes and signposting them, we feel it is important to think about how to enhance the user experience, making the time spent in a location more rewarding, especially for those who visit frequently, like office workers.

Engaging environmental design is dependent on carefully thought-out solutions. Here's how we approach designing wayfinding as responsible signmakers:

• Informing ourselves of any anxiety, safety, motivational and social norm barriers users may need to overcome in a space.

• Engaging directly with users to identify and alleviate points of confusion, and placing temporary signage mock-ups to observe how they influence traffic before implementation.

• Implementing universal design principles, providing DDA compliant navigation systems, and multilingual or braille solutions to enhance inclusivity and accessibility.

• Instilling belief in the culture of a space by using consistent colour schemes, typography, and imagery that reflects the company's brand identity.

• Continuously gathering feedback: after implementing the wayfinding system, we'll remain adaptable to changes, actively reacting to user reports to refine and adjust the signage.

• Adding elements of discovery and fun: introduce gamification into the wayfinding system to make navigation interactive, or add delight through visual points of interest, building curiosity via signage content, design or implementation e.g mural sized signs such as faux aged lettering or hand painted graphics.

Wall and Wayfinding Signs

From producing pure graphic design like logo mock ups, and ideating playful concepts such as a lenticular wall, to imagining all the use cases of signage and drafting iterations of every sign type required - the creative scope of the project was extensive and a great source of excitement for us at Glyphics.

Our collaborative journey began with Trifle's artwork for the interior design, as seen below. We immediately noticed the zigzagging black metal lattice frames on the glass partitions. Depending how you looked at them, they resembled an M or W - the two letters that make up the logo for Mirror Works. A subtle nod that we knew we wanted to weave into our work.

This geometric motif formed the cornerstone of our signage design, appearing across the scope of the project, from filigree edges on all board signs to relief detailing on every cut vinyl floor number in the stairwell. Here's an early sketch illustrating how we experimented with incorporating the glazing detail, and how it eventually manifested throughout:

One of our initial concepts saw us take this further with a reflective lenticular wall that would create interest by the directory in the reception lounge. We envisioned a narrow vertical box extending from floor to ceiling, made by manipulating acrylic into parallel ridges and grooves - once again resembling an M and W.

The corrugated surface would be overlaid with two overlapping words and give the optical illusion of movement as you walk past, flicking playfully between a greeting and a goodbye when viewed from different angles. This brief was an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our bespoke signage capabilities, and this dynamic feature was at the heart of it.

Containing our brainstorming within the boundaries of Trifle's vision and Workspace's established branding, we also deliberated the UI and UX fundamentals of the signage, given how vast the application of these micro elements would be.

Colour

Colour is a powerful element in signage systems, especially for wayfinding. It serves a triple function: imparting a cool or warm ambiance to a space, enhancing visibility due to its inherent attractiveness, which can in turn be used to introduce a coding system, distinguishing between different areas or sign types e.g. directional, informational, identification or regulatory.

In the case of Mirror Works, each area in the lobby and subsequently every floor in the building was represented by a specific shade on the walls or partitions. We ensured signs correspond with their location via an exact-match powder paint coating and/or the hue of the vinyl lettering. With consistent application throughout, users could rapidly link colour schemes with their respective environments, strengthening orientation and accelerating decision-making as they navigate the space.

Pictograms

Symbols are a subtle yet critical visual component of wayfinding experiences, doing away with the heaviness of text to convey essential information quickly instead. Many icons, such as those representing fire exits or WCs, are universally recognised and therefore vital cues to enable easy navigation in unfamiliar settings.

For this brief, we made geometric abstractions from minimalist lines for tea point pictograms, and found the fun in functional with a box symbol for the meeting room side tables. It aspires to answer man's most ubiquitous question - where's the remote?

Typography

The selection of typeface plays a key role in the effectiveness of wayfinding signage.

Lettering should look sharp to attract the eye and improve readability from afar, so it's imperative to factor in the clarity of your font style and how it will manifest in the selected materials at the point of reproduction.

As a rule this tends to be a sans-serif font - an environment with artful flair being one of the few exceptions - but in every case, stick to the selected typeface consistently to aid comprehension.

Along with simplicity and legibility, the hierarchy within the messaging is also crucial; there must be unmistakable differentiation between headings, subheadings, and the main text. This can be achieved by tactfully utilising spacing between letters, line height, and the arrangement of text.

As experienced sign makers, we are meticulous about building signs to suit the viewing distance - ensuring uniform typography throughout to guarantee ease and efficacy.

In summary:

• We utilise legible sans-serif fonts.

• Spacing and size are optimised for distance readability.

• Clear hierarchy in text: headings, subheadings, body text.

• Consistency in typography is non-negotiable.

Our initial concepts visualised Workspace's corporate typeface in place and suggested three further typefaces, selected with the above criteria and three creative considerations in mind -

• Workable in diverse use cases and dimensions.

• Complementing the feel of a co-working space, providing the perfect balance of between casual and professional.

• The M and W mirror each other perfectly.

Fabrication

The strategic use of relevant graphics or architectural builds can enhance understanding among audiences, while adding richness to the signage design. Using photographs as wallpapers, raised arrows to point towards departments, or illustrations to stylise corridor approaches reduces monotony and increases visual appeal.

The form a sign takes can make or break its effectiveness. A classic example is a directory and the challenge of transforming what's essentially an office map into a focal point that stops people in their tracks. In this case, we made it into an alluring feature using tactile elements achieved from laser cut details underlaid with brass. A 'hello' in reflective 3D lettering above and wraparound plaques on each floor continue and complete it, serving to intrigue, guide and inform in tandem.

Signs for Offices and Co-Working Spaces

The successful completion of the Mirror Works project is a testament to the harmonious collaboration between Workspace, Trifle and Glyphics. By implementing a bespoke solution, our signage not only met but went beyond the brief, enhancing the real time user experience throughout the building, while aligning perfectly with a sophisticated interior design philosophy.

Fascia Signage

The exterior signage, prominently displaying the Mirror Works logo, is crafted to be both eye-catching and elegant. The choice of materials and the precision in design reflect the building's modern architecture, providing a welcoming first impression.

Defined by high-end, high-visibility signage, Glaze Café has been established as a stand out space within Mirror Works. Utilising bold, three-dimensional letters crafted from ultra-reflective materials, the sign creates a dynamic contrast against the vibrant backdrop, immediately drawing attention - highlighting the café as a focal point and centring it as a key social hub within the building.

This sign is one of only two such prominent signs within the fabric of the workspace, with the other being a 'hello' sign situated above the directory at the entrance. Together, these two signs bookend the visitor experience within Mirror Works, offering both a warm welcome and a communal gathering spot, injecting the environment with sociable undertones.

The floor number signage takes the form of sleek metal plaques that are seamlessly mounted and made to wrap around the tubular panelling that pads the landing walls on the upper floors. The plaques feature a fret cut number backed by glistening brass, adding a textured quality to match the felt grooves beneath while enhancing visibility. As one of the most prominent and utilised sign types from our collection for this project, the plaques appear on various corners on every floor, creating a visual language of luxury throughout. They function as an effortlessly chic user guide and are a sophisticated design choice that sits cohesively within the modern aesthetic of the interior.

Wayfinding Identifiers

Commonplace signs are given meticulous attention to detail - from minimalist icons for the projecting room identifiers, sensitively designed to suit the contemporary aesthetics of the space they label, to the large geometric stairwell numbers, produced to complement the ruggedness of the concrete walls and steel steps. Crafted from quality materials and installed to a high spec finish, even the most functional signage is carefully considered and executed with the Mirror Works aesthetic in mind.

Conceived, fabricated and installed with public perception in mind, the directory is strategically placed opposite the door to lend an immediate sense of confidence to users looking to orient themselves while navigating the space. The largest build of our project, it hosts subtle touches of elegance in the details of the design.

It includes the building name to alleviate any confusion, the essentials of what's where to allow straightforward navigation, clean typography, an intuitive floor-by-floor layout, minimalist fret cut lines to efficiently demarcate these, underlaid with slivers of brass to enhance engagement.

Above is a solid and resplendent 'hello' sign - built in brass 3D lettering, it serves a significant purpose by providing a welcoming touchpoint for visitors as they enter, setting a friendly and approachable tone for the entire space.

Project Highlights

• Design Integration: The signage throughout Mirror Works is designed to complement the interior spaces, using materials, colours and typography that align with Trifle’s vision. This integration ensures a seamless flow from one area to another - represented visually by the wraparound plaques that underpin the system.

• User-Friendly Navigation: By strategically placing signs at key decision points and using clear, legible fonts, layouts and icons, the wayfinding system enhances the user experience, making navigation intuitive and stress-free.

• Brand Reinforcement: The signage not only guides but also reinforces the building’s identity look and the wider Workspace trademark. Elements like the café signage are designed to be visually striking, contributing to the overall branding strategy of Mirror Works as a memorable place to be.

• High-Quality Craftsmanship: The use of premium materials and precise manufacturing techniques ensures that the signage is impressive and durable, reflecting the high standards of Workspace.

For Glyphics, the Mirror Works project allowed us to revel in our collaborative element. Partnering with Workspace was, as always, a pleasure, and we relished the opportunity to play with Trifle's visions for the interiors, translating them into our own creative signage ideas.

Despite budget constraints and the pressure of a tight deadline to coincide with the inaugural opening event, we successfully transformed the approved designs into tangible products that maintained the fidelity of the original concepts. Our final output aligned flawlessly with Trifle's real-time implementations, ensuring a harmonious visual experience and effortless navigation for Mirror Works occupants.

The Mirror Works launch party was not just a celebration of the opening but also a brick-and-mortar realisation of the synergy between Workspace, Trifle and Glyphics.

This project is a prime example of how innovative design and pragmatic solutions can converge to create an environment that is brand-centric, aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly. Our signage played a crucial role in this transformation, providing clear direction and reinforcing the building's sophisticated identity.

Metal Signs3D signs