Navy Federal Credit Union

San Diego - Workplace

ZGF Architects

Brief: As part of an interior refresh, NFCU’s San Diego building required updated experiential graphics and wayfinding to align with the new finishes. The existing stair graphics felt oversized and visually heavy, prompting a brighter, more vibrant system inspired by San Diego, while remaining intuitive and easily recognizable for future users.

Scope: Wayfinding - Stairs, Directional, Room Signage
Role: Concept, Designer
Collaborators: Jenny Lee and Suejin Park
Status: In Progress

Stairs - Concept 1

SD

During the concept phase, each direction was developed with tiered budgets in mind, with materiality considered from the outset. Options ranged from applied vinyl to custom-painted dimensional signage, yet all were designed to feel cohesive and refined. Inspired by the building’s oval floor plan, the wayfinding system embraced a softened geometry, balancing expressive directional elements with room signage that remained simple and timeless.

Color selections align with the EGD approved in an earlier phase.

  • Text printed on clear acetate insert

schematic design

Stairs - Concept 3

Stairs - Concept 2

DD

design development

Following client feedback, revisions prioritized flexibility and future changeability of information.The first two concepts were further developed, and a third was created to merge their strongest elements—resulting in three distinct directions.

The project has been carried forward into Construction Documentation and Installation by Jenny Lee and Suejin Park.

Directional - Concept 1

Directional - Concept 3

Directional - Concept 2

Room Signs - Concept 1

Room Signs - Concept 2

ADA - Gotham Typeface

ADA - Roboto Typeface

Stairs - Concept 1

  • Background, Number & Arrow: Direct print on vinyl, Custom Cut Shape

  • Wayfinding Text: Cut vinyl letters on Acrylic Plaque

Directional - Concept 1

Room Signage - Option 1

Amenity and Back of House Signage

Stairs - Concept 3

  • Background & Arrow: Direct print on vinyl, Custom Cut Shape

  • Wayfinding Text: Cut vinyl letters on Acrylic Plaque

  • Number: Dimensional mixed medium at various heights, painted all surface, applied on top of vinyl background

Directional - Concept 2

  • removable cut vinyl letters on removable plaque

Stairs - Concept 2

  • Frame: Metal painted with wood back panel

  • Number: Dimensional mixed medium at various heights, painted all surface

Room Signage - Option 2