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RasGas Way-finding and Signage system for the new Headquarters

ClientRasGas

Art directorPornprapha PhatanateachaDesign teamNawar AlMutlaqMashaer Al-Yaarabi Khadija SafriHamza AbdelalAmira DakrouryArwa Al-Sulaiti

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Project briefTo develop a way finding solution and an internal signage system for the new RasGas headquarters in West Bay. Our team from Graphic Design Studio will develop a way-finding strategy that reflects the goal of the company and sustain the company’s identity system. We will build a system that is easy to understand, direct, legible, flexible and consistent.

RasGas ProfileRasGas Company Limited (RasGas) is a Qatari Joint Stock Company established in 2001. Their responsibility for the welfare of the State of Qatar led them to develop a environmentally friendly hydrocarbons. They value customer satisfaction and hence deliver safe, reliable products.

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The New RasGas headquarters is located in West Bay, along the Corniche in down- town Qatar. It is a 57- storey building, on a hexagonal floor plan. It faces in three different directions: the desert, Corniche and the West Bay.

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Providing a sense of overlooking the vast sea

Way-finding three different directions Sea

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The sense of rising and development in Qatar.

Way-finding three different directions City

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The sense of endlessness, horizontal, space for expansion.

Way-finding three different directions Desert

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Our observation and analysis of the current RasGas Headquarter

what worksFlexiblity of sign for name, position and department

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Repetition of logo in pattern and signage system. Inconsistency in system.Lacks heirarchy in naming system. Signage color palette on executive floor and typical floor blends with the color palette of the walls.Icons are literal and lacks clarity.

What we observed at the existing headquarters

Our analysis

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Repetitive use of the logo forming a pattern.This help us understand to create a contrast, so that it does not blend with the existing pattern.

Expensive copper material used. Strips that runs around for wayfinding: yellow, blue, red.We incorporated this aspect of colored strip for way finding in our signage system.

Site visit / research at new RasGas building

What we observed: The use of materials such as copper for strips.The use of patterns on glass background.The use of neutral colors for the interiors such as grey and brown. While, the pattern is red.The navigation is circular because the offices are on an hexagonal floor plan.The distance between the elevator and the wall is approximately three meters.The location of the floor identifica-tion sign is restricted to a panel on the glass wall.

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Our observation lead us to develop a design strategy, which helped us address the user requirements based on their daily activities in the space. The development of the signage system will respect the existing way-finding strip system developed by RasGas. This will produce a cohesive navigation experience for the users. The design will reflect the company’s vision of an innovative working space, where employees can focus, learn, socialize and collaborate.

Our design strategy

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Primary AudienceVisitors

Secondary AudienceRasGas Employees

Who are we targeting

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CharacteristcsHard-WorkingOrganized ProfessionalDiversityEnergetic

Look and Feel of the design

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Floor identification

Way-finding strip on the wall

Office signage

Identifying categories for wayfinding

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FOCUSLEARNCOLLABORATESOCIALIZE

Proposed conceptsSaduFanos (lantern)The rizeef

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The rizeef

Patterns but from different cultural context Possible: for 3 different directionsColors distinguish each departmentSimple arrrow and clear numbering system

The fanos (lantern)

System that involves lighting, subtle classic.3-Dimensionality that oustands on the patterned glass walls.Modern and contemporary.

The sadu

FlexibilityMemorabilityNaming systemIcon and directionColor distinguishingColor palette

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Conceptual direction

Sadu: 1. different elements coming together2. cultural context3. simple, linear

Concept and Inspiration

The Sadu is a traditional Qatari seating area. It is an area where people gather to socialize and share ideas with family, guests and other community members. We have linked this idea of “Sadu” to the community at RasGas. Furthermore, the different elements create patterns in the Sadu textile. This conveys the idea of collboration through the diversity of employees at RasGas.

The Sadu

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Precedences

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Option 1: Color used to distinguish each group. Color background for each direction. Signage design based on a grid inspired from Sadu. Clients' Comments: It is too colorful and it crashes with the back-drop pattern in the interiors of RasGas.

Design Development

Option 2: Pattern used to distinguish each group.These were abstracted from the context of Qatar.Long colored strips used for each direction. Signage design based on a linear grid. Clients' Comments: Patterns are not relevant to the group. Takes longer to get an approval from adminstration.

Option 3: Signage design based on a modular grid. Clients' Comments:An extra wall for signage is an obstruction for the seating space near the elevator. Signage design similar to Ras Laffan signage.

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Clients' comments:In our signage design development, we learnt that the hierarchy of floor and office numbering is important.

Design Development: What works

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1. It should not be too colorful. Clarity and type legibility is important.

2. It should not be too complicated for flexibility reasons. Its important to be cost effective.

3. Consideration of the existing patterns in the space. This is to avoid conflict between signage and wall patterns.

4. Signage design should be innovative. Also to consider the signage design systems of other sister companies to avoid similarities.

5. It is important to understand the distance and space near the elevator to achieve proper scale.

Evaluation Criteria:

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Final Design: Floor Identification

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Pantone 428

Pantone Cool Gray C

Pantone 319 C

Pantone Reflex blue C

Pantone Black

RGB

RGB

RGB

RGB

RGB

218220222

157154157

130203208

076153

000

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

200100

01051

520140

1007302

000100

Color palette

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Typeface

Blender mediumThis is used for employees position. Other rooms such as lounge and meeting rooms. Also to mention different levels in the directory.

Blender boldThis is used for: Group names, Employees' names, Floor, office and directory numbers.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1234567890

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System

Way-finding strip

Directional arrow

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System

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3030 - 3035MEETING ROOM

3036 - 3040

3037 - 3040

LOUNGE

LOUNGE

Location and scale

Wall

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Final Design: Directory

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System

Group’s name

Lift’s number

Lift’s numberLift’s name

Group’s levels

RasGas's Logo

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Directory construction drawing

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Levels B2, B1 Level Ground

Level 1-9Levels B2, B1 Level Ground

Level 9-22Levels B2, B1 Level Ground

Level 9, 23-37Levels B2, B1 Level Ground

Level 9, 38-51

Management services Level 1-8Life centre Level 9

Life centre Level 9-10Technical floorLevel 11Management servicesLevel 12-13Sub Surface groupLevel 15-22

Level 19Meeting floor

Life centreLevel 9Venture GroupLevel 23-27Finance Group Level 29-33EDW Group Level 33-37

Level 26Meeting floor

Life centre Level 9SHE Group/ OPS/ HOT OFFICESLevel 37Level 50MarketingLevel 38MD-CEO and MD GroupLevel 39-44Commercial and ShippingLevel 45-49

Level 19Meeting floor

Project FloorsLevel 52-56

Level 51Meeting floor

Location and scale

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Final Design: Office Identification

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Final Design: Office Identification

Office number

Employee name

Way finding color (Sea)

Job title

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System

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Location and scale

Sign

Glass

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Materials

Material selection was based on the following criteria:

Cost effectiveness Colors working well with the interiorFlexibilityEasily producedEleganceInnovative

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Option 1Frosted Acrylic - 6mm + white filmYoungModern

Option 2Stainless steel - 3mmSophisticatedOriginal

MaterialsCommon Characteristics:DynamicSense of direction and motionAppeals to the eye

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Scale and location

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Flexibility

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Consistency of the signage system Legibility of the typeface and type sizeCorporate color paletteFlexibility of materialsCost effectiveNo patterns to interfere with the backgroundGroups distinguished by namePlacement of signage system at eye level and according to scaleHierarchy of numbers and titlesWay finding and easy navigationDifferent design from sister companies

Why appropriate for the client?

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THANK YOU.