meredithawhitehead

[meredithawhitehead]

for our final project we have decided to make one main sign inside the entrance of the arcade with smaller signs with the shop names that slot in and out so they can be changed as the shops change. the sign frame will be made out out of clear perspex and the smaller signs will be made out of the different materials that we have laser cut we are using mix and match materials to reflect the ever-changing and quirky arcade.  we are are also making smaller signs for shops that go above watch store and stick out from the wall in the same style as the smaller signs that slot into the bigger one in the same mix and match style. we are also having bigger signs outside both entrances (outside on K Road and also at the bottom of the stairs to myers park) these are large arrows which point to the arcade which have smaller signs that hang off the arrows and say “To St. Kevins arcade & K Road” and “to St Kevins Arcade & Myers Park”. Using all of those signs together it really brings the space together.

[meredithawhitehead]

these are our final mocked up images we have our smaller rectangular shop signs seen above the shops sticking out of the wall, the next is our main sig n in the entrance of the arcade and the final two are large arrows and signs seen on K Road pointing into the arcade directing people into St Kevins Arcade and Myers park and another Arrow and sign in Myers Park directing up to the Arcade and to K Road

[meredithawhitehead]

This week we have investigated laser engraving as an alternative to laser cutting as we wouldn't lose the counter-forms of the letters. we are also using the sample/offcuts of materials in the 3D labs in order for us to fully explore the different materials available to us. we got MDF board laser cut and also engraved, the laser engraving on wood looked very cool and burnt the wood which would give off a different effect overtime it was laser cut. we also had black perspex laser cut and  engraved. with the laser engraving on the black perspex some of the outside of the letters has started to melt and this isn’t great but the black laser cutting with the stencil typeface looks very effective and we like this one a lot. 

[meredithawhitehead]

the location of our signage/way-finding system would be either just outside of the entrance of the arcade to show street goers what the arcade has to offer them and/or just within the entrance to show the people entering the arcade what there is for them and also to allow them to quickly navigate the arcade if they are looking for one store in-particular. we have decided that we will be using arrows on the sign/signs to allow the viewer to quickly asses where abouts in the arcade their desired location is. 

we have tried laser cutting perspex/acrylic  these are out arrows, when laser cut you are provided with the negative space within the larger piece and also the counter form which is very helpful as it allows you to see two different versions of the same thing. 

with our laser cut name and symbols we did not take into account that the counter forms in the letters would not be connected and this has allowed us to reevaluate our typeface choices and consider using a stencil typeface to allow for more legibility within out signs. 

these are the cut outs that were produced from our first sample laser cutting, he single letters are fiddly and the depth of the acrylic is thicker than the letters themselves which makes the words harder to read from certain angles as the black blurs into the counter spaces and you lose the lines of the letters. If we were to user the cut out letters we could sandwich it between two pieces of clear acrylic/perspex and have it lit from the sides or top somehow was at night this would look very effective and would stand out. 

we also tried 3D printing some of our symbols with solid enters and also without, but we have decided that this isn't an addictive material as it isn't overly sturdy and is also a little messy/”gappy” looking as and doesn't provide the right kind feel that we are heading for.

[meredithawhitehead]

we have been discussing possible materials that we can produce our signage in as there are many possibilities, Jess was given sourced some sample materials which have been very helpful in allowing us to see what we need to use in order to achieve the kind of look we want and has also allowed us to asses determine possible weaknesses in certain materials.

the sample materials include - 3mm thick clear acrylic, 5mm thick clear acrylic, Pdyprop, foam board, MDF, particle board.

we like the idea of using perspex or acrylic as it is sturdy and still looks clean and modern. 

[meredithawhitehead]

As a group we have been discussing possible display methods and different mediums to use for our sign/way finding system. things we have discussed so far include digital screens which are changeable and change throughout the day with whats on and events at the time. magnetic signage boards which would allow us to change the information according to what we need to display at the time. signage boards which allow letters to be slotted in and out and changed and also possibly cut or symbols which are also interchangeable. “tri-vision” which are mechanical billboards (available in small enough sizes to fit within the arcade) which have three different sizes and change every minute or so and have three different images on display which change throughout the day. a free standing sign that sits within the entrance of the arcade so that it does not take up too much space but is still easily accessible to all of the public.

we are thinking of using symbols to represent the stores within the arcade to allow for viewers to quickly asses what the arcade provides for them. 

[meredithawhitehead]

The park has a playground and this makes the park appeal to parents and children, families and school groups but at night time the park is a less desirable and is not a very safe space where as Saint Kevin’s Arcade has both day time activity and also night life as K Road has a very popular night scene and there are a few bars/clubs (Whammy Bar) at the entrance of the Arcade. although the entrance to the Arcade from Myers Park is closed off at night time it would still be interesting to investigate how we could improve the appeal of Myers park at night time and also make it a safer more - maybe look into having a lit pathway or more lights and activities in the park in the evenings. 

In regards to the arcade itself it could use more signage and possibly a new way finding system. possible ideas for our project include informative signs (with history and/or shop information), events boards, a calendar, lighting for night time events.  

[meredithawhitehead]

There is a rich history to both locations, Myers Park was officially opened in January of 1915 and in 1916 the kindergarten in Myers Park was opened, with Saint Kevin’s Arcade being built in 1924 and in 1926 the link between K Road and Myers Park was made was as K Road was originally the “main” street in Auckland Central and this “right-of-way” passage made city navigation much easier and faster. 

the park and the arcade both still hold much history with their artistic and stylistic features. The arcade is described as “a 90 year old stylistic medley of Neo-Greek, Art Deco” with its stained glass, murals and retro architecture, and as for the park it holds many art works of significance to history and also the location (these include a replica of the famous Moses by Michelangelo which was offered to the city in 1971, Five Goats which was gifted to the City by Auckland’s sister city Guangzhou in 1999, In 2011 the first two of three bronze items by the sculptor Rachel Walters - Hau te Kapaka “The Flapping Wind" - were installed at the Queen Street entrance to the park, and also a mural by Liam Hindley. 

[meredithawhitehead]

Both Saint Kevin’s Arcade and Myers Park are very central and are easy to access from the City Centre, and being able to access K Road through Myers park and the Arcade makes it a popular walk way for both tourists and locals.

- photos and maps sourced on https://www.google.co.nz/maps

[meredithawhitehead]

The area my group and I have chosen for this brief is Saint Kevin’s Arcade and Myers Park on K Road, our selection of this area was influenced by the fact that it is in a very popular area, it is easy to access, it is an indoor and outdoor space which flows well, it is a multi-level environment, it is a very popular area with activities for all ages throughout the day and night, the night life on K Road is rich and exciting and if we were able to engage with all of these different types of people it would make our project exciting and hopefully very functional.