• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Interpretation
• Section 3 - Accessibility
• Navigation
• Language
• Orientation
• Colour and finishing
• Braille
• Section 4 - Standard Signage Content
• Identification of organisational units
• Section 5 - Fixed Internal Signage
• Operation
• Approval
• Positioning
• Wall mounted heights
• Suspended & cantilevered height
• Braille/tactile placement
• Section 6 - Temporary External Signage
• Operation
• Approval
• Signage projects (including fixed external signage)
• Glazed external signage
• Permanent external signage
• Signage types
• Parking, traffic and security
• Operation
• Approval
• Project resources
• Section 7 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 8 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Procedure:

1. gives effect to the Brand and Reputation Policy;
2. supports UOW’s ability to protect and enhance its brand and reputation;
3. prescribes the management of UOW’s Signage design and production by:
   1. standardising UOW’s signage for efficient audience direction and location identification and to ensure accessibility compliance;
   2. offsetting out signage specifications and promoting design consistency to reinforce UOW’s brand across all operations;
   3. sets out the standards for various types of signage at UOW, including fixed internal, temporary external, and project-based external signage;
   4. outlines processes for ideal design, procurement, and installation of signs, aiding Infrastructure and Property (IP) and Print and Distribution Services;
   5. guiding buyers and suppliers involved in UOW signage.

Section 2 - Interpretation

(2) Words and phrases used in this Procedure and not otherwise defined have the meanings they have in the Brand and Reputation Policy.

Section 3 - Accessibility

(3) The University promotes equality of access to its environments by individuals that may be visually or physically impaired.

Navigation

(4) Signage will provide directions on the primary access direction (e.g., via stairs) and an alternative route for those who require it (e.g., to lift).

Language

(5) The language used in signage shall be clear and simple. Acronyms must be expanded in the first instance. Identification of organisational units should be consistent; see section 4.

Orientation

(6) Signage must not rely on text that is purely vertical to communicate. Where text departs from the standard left-to-right orientation for cosmetic reasons, the same content should also be applied in the right-reading orientation (for accessibility).

Colour and finishing

(7) Text and graphics should be understandable when viewed without colour. Colour combinations chosen for signage must comply with accessibility requirements.

(8) Foreground and background colour combinations must provide sufficient contrast when viewed by someone with limited vision. Vision Australia provides further information about Accessible design for public buildings.

(9) High gloss paints and finishes may reduce readability and should be avoided.

Braille

(10) Signage for amenities must include Braille. In accordance with specification is09: Toilet Wall and Blade, contained in Signage Specifications.

Section 4 - Standard Signage Content

Identification of organisational units

(11) The language appearing on UOW fixed signage should be developed on a case-by-case (project) basis.

(12) Signs must use the official names set out in UOW’s organisational structure. Organisational unit prefixes should be avoided (“Faculty of”, “School of”, “Department of”, etc.)

(13) Acronyms should be initially spelled out and used in condensed form only after careful consideration of the audience’s familiarity with their meaning.

Section 5 - Fixed Internal Signage

(14) Internal wayfinding signs should be placed on an agreed or common path of travel within the space. Statutory signs signage should provide:

1. information;
2. direction; and
3. identification.

(15) Internal signage hierarchy (Figure 1) is organised to meet audience needs (Table 1).

Figure 1: Hierarchy Journey of Internal Signage

(16) Refer to Figure 1: Hierarchy Journey of Internal Signage.

(17) Table 1: Audience need, signage purpose and sign type/specification

Operation

(18) Buyers may seek advice and input from the Infrastructure and Property, who will assess need, make recommendations and propose a solution which will include providing approvable and supplier-ready drawings based on specifications.

(19) Infrastructure and Property will procure production and installation from a supplier, and manage invoicing.

(20) Suppliers must meet UOW’s work safety requirements, including safe-work method statements, and contractor induction. This is managed by the Infrastructure and Property.

(21) The supplier is responsible for safe and appropriate installation and of fixed internal signage.

Approval

(22) Where UOW Signage Design and Production Specifications have been used, project owners may approve the content, placement and installation of internal signage works.

(23) All expenditure must be approved in accordance with the Delegations of Authority Policy.

Positioning

(24) Signs should be positioned in clear sight and must not obstruct emergency signage or exits.

Wall mounted heights

(25) Wall mounted internal signage should be placed within height of between 1400mm and 1600mm and at a minimum of 1000mm from the ground.

(26) For consistency, the suggested position of wall mounted signs should be 1600mm from the top of the sign, excluding Braille/tactile signage.

Suspended & cantilevered height

(27) Suspended and cantilevered signage should be placed at a height of 2400mm to the underside of the sign, or at 2100mm where space is limited.

Braille/tactile placement

(28) Braille/tactile signage with one line of text should be positioned so that the line of tactile characters is between 1250mm and 1350mm from the ground.

(29) Single line braille/tactile signs should be 1250mm above floor level, to the underside of the sign.

(30) Toilet identification braille signage must be positioned on the wall area on the latch-side of the door, 50mm from the architrave. The sign may be placed on the hinge-side of the door, or, centred on the door itself, if space is limited.

Section 6 - Temporary External Signage

(31) Temporary external wayfinding signs should be placed in a logical pathway for the visitor audience. Temporary signage should not duplicate fixed signage.

Table 2: Temporary signage options

Operation

(32) Buyers may seek advice and input from the Infrastructure and Property, who will assess need, make recommendations and propose a solution (provide approvable and supplier-ready drawings) based on specifications.

(33) Infrastructure and Property will procure production and installation from a supplier and manage invoicing.

(34) Suppliers must meet UOW’s work safety requirements, including safe-work method statements and contractor induction. This is managed by the Infrastructure and Property.

(35) The supplier is responsible for safe and appropriate installation and of fixed internal signage.

Approval

(36) Where UOW Signage Design and Production Specifications have been used, the event owner, coordinator or unit manager may approve the content, placement and installation of temporary signage.

(37) Approval of expenditure must be sought and given in accordance with the Delegations of Authority Policy.

Signage projects (including fixed external signage)

(38) This Procedure and associated specifications outline standard principles and therefore cannot cover every application or eventuality. In case of difficulty or doubt as to the correctness in the application of this Procedure, please contact the Policy Custodian.

Glazed external signage

(39) Glazed external signage is specified according to Table 3. This type of signage requires approval from the Senior Executive.

Table 3: Temporary signage options

Permanent external signage

(40) Permanent external signs should be placed on a predetermined, suggested or common path of travel around the campus or environment. Notwithstanding Statutory signs, signage should serve one of three purposes: Information, Direction or Identification.

(41) Installing or renewing a permanent external sign is a one-off project that may be proposed to or requested by UOW Senior Executive.

Signage types

(42) Monolith/blade wayfinding system.

(43) Building identification plates.

(44) Large pedestrian campus map at main entrance.

(45) UOW-branded road-user signage.

(46) 5-star university expressway plinth.

(47) UOW campus entry signage.

(48) Non-digital parts of digital road signs (backlit UOW logo).

(49) Exhibition space (e.g., Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, Early Start).

Parking, traffic and security

(50) Permanent security and road user signage is managed by the Infrastructure and Property and UOW Security.

(51) Examples include:

1. parking signage;
2. standard traffic directional signage, within campus; and
3. RTA/Local Government signage outside campus.

Operation

(52) Project sponsors may seek advice and input from the Infrastructure and Property.

(53) The Infrastructure and Property shall coordinate with each other to scope, recommend and propose solutions based on organisational needs, in conjunction with the Brand, Marketing and Communication Division.

(54) The Infrastructure and Property to procure production and installation from a supplier.

(55) Suppliers must meet UOW’s work safety requirements, including safe-work method statements and contractor induction. This is managed by the Infrastructure and Property.

Approval

(56) The Infrastructure and Property will coordinate and escalate the approval of recommendations and expenditure to Senior Executive.

Project resources

(57) Signage specifications may be used as a template or starting point to develop signage. These specifications are listed in Signage Design and Production Specifications and are available by request from UOW.

(58) These resources are intended to provide clear direction for signage production to project managers, architects, graphic artists, designers, and signwriters.

Section 7 - Roles and Responsibilities

(59) The Brand, Marketing and Communication Division (BMC) are responsible for:

1. Design Oversight: Setting the design standards for all types of signage at UOW, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines.
2. Policy Alignment: Ensuring that signage design and content comply with the Brand and Reputation Policy.
3. Audience Targeting: Ensuring that the language and positioning of signage are accessible and effective for the intended audience.
4. Quality Control: Maintaining high standards of design consistency to uphold UOW’s brand across all operations.
5. Custom Signage: Facilitating the development and design of custom permanent signage projects, coordinating with the Infrastructure and Property as necessary.
6. Content Approval: Approving the content, design, and location of the signage, and ensuring alignment with UOW’s standard specifications.
7. Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinating with the Infrastructure and Property for scoping, recommending, and proposing signage solutions.

(60) The Infrastructure and Property are responsible for:

1. Assessment and recommendations: providing advice and input to project owners ("Buyers") on signage needs, and proposing solutions that include supplier-ready drawings based on specifications.
2. Procurement: handling the procurement of production and installation services from suppliers.
3. Installation: overseeing the safe and appropriate installation of both fixed internal and external signage, and temporary external signage.
4. Safety compliance: ensuring suppliers comply with UOW’s work safety requirements.
5. Invoice management: managing invoicing related to signage projects.
6. Accessibility and regulations: ensuring signage complies with accessibility standards, including Vision Australia guidelines, Australian Buildings Codes, and Australian Standards for Access & Mobility.
7. Operational coordination: working with BMC to scope, recommend, and propose signage solutions.
8. Approval escalation: coordinating approval of recommendations and expenditure with the Senior Executive.
9. Traffic and security signage: managing permanent security and road-user signage, including parking and standard traffic directional signage within the campus.
10. Project sponsors: Providing advice and input to project sponsors for any signage-related projects or renewals.

Section 8 - Definitions