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Design Category
Environmental graphic design, 1995
Design firm
Beck & Graboski Design Office (Santa Monica, California)
Collection
(1996) Communication Graphics: 17
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This building is the working environment for the creators of Disney’s classic animated feature films. The graphics program suggests the classic architecture of Kem Weber, architect of The Disney Studios and the new building by Robert A.M. Stern, Architects.
The room identification signs (over 750) reflect the buildings unique shape and the floors are color coded in this 243,000 sq. ft. building. Function yet entertaining directional signs relate to 1930’s signs on the studio lot.
A custom digital type font “Kem Weber” was designed. It has the feel of bygone eras yet meets ADA requirements. It has been adopted by The Walt Disney for use on future developments.
A decision by Disney to engage an environmental graphic designer early in the design development of the building shows a commitment to design excellence that other corporate giants should emulate. The use of custom typography and design themes that are functional as well as entertaining produce an environmental graphics program that is integrated into, not added onto, this landmark building.