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WHAT IS IT
about the airport that makes us instinctively feel rushed? Maybe it’s the pace of other passers by. The sudden time change in your departure. Or perhaps it’s the knowledge that you’ll soon be on your way to your final destination. This sense of urgency creates the need for useful navigation, as well as clarity and organization. Airport type is on a mission to communicate quickly and effectively. With time as a factor, the environment becomes an obstacle leaving big and bold type to navigate. While this somewhat mundane appearance might not be the most interesting or elaborate, it does it’s job and it does it well. This book will explore the navigational, commercial, and practical uses of typography seen both inside and outside of the Kansas City Airport. And who knows, maybe for a fleeting moment, you just might be able to slow down.
“The large print giveth and the small print taketh away” — TOM WAITS
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“Geometry can produce legible letters but art alone makes them beautiful. Art begins where geometry ends, and imparts to letters a character trascending mere measurement”
— PAUL STANDARD
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THE ART OF WAYFINDING
Signage constitutes a
design effectively, it is
small but highly visible
also helpful to know the
category of typographic
materials and fabrication
design. In order for it to
methods to be used.
be successful, it must
Their characteristics and
be thoroughly studied
limitations affect how
and planned out. This
the type will behave in its
signage can be static,
final form (for example,
walk-by or drive-by, and
thin strokes might appear
this should influence the
thicker or even thinner
typeface
depending on how they
choices
and
treatments you use. To
are produced).
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Four questions that should be thought about when designing this type include: 1
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE SIGNAGE?
2
WHAT ARE YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE’S DEMOGRAPHICS?
3
FROM WHAT DISTANCES DOES THE TYPE NEED TO BE SEEN & UNDERSTOOD?
4
HOW MUCH TIME DOES THIS AUDIENCE HAVE TO VIEW & READ THE SIGN?
“The devil himself had probably redesigned Hell in the light of information he had gained from observing airport layouts” — ANTHONY PRICE
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COMMON GROUND
THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL TYPEFACE DESIGNATED AS THE “SIGNAGE FONT”, BUT THERE ARE SOME LEADERS OF THE PACK.
Hamburgefonstiv INTERSTATE Southwest Airlines
Hamburgefonstiv HELVETICA NEUE
American Airlines, Lufthansa, Philippine Airlines, and the British Airports Authority
Hamburgefonstiv FRUTIGER Charles De Gaulle International Airport
Hamburgefonstiv DIN 1451 JetBlue Airways
Hamburgefonstiv UNIVERS Swiss International Airlines, Frankfurt Airport, and the Royal Air Force
Hamburgefonstiv EUROSTILE Colgan Air
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20
REPETITION
and symmetry are found throughout the airport, and remain an important element of its structure and make up. Consistency and similarity are key when helping visitors navigate in unfamiliar places.
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22
AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF INFORMATION LIES WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE AIRPORT, BUT IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT
23 ALTHOUGH
there are positive things
noise can begin to have a
pronounced
the
“sensory overload� effect
typography found in KCI,
where the sheer volume of
there is still plenty of room
type and signage cause us
for improvement. Perhaps
to disregard their messages
the sheer amount of signage
all together. This may also
we are often faced with in a
happen when there is a
public space like the airport
lack of consistency in the
only causes us to begin
organization or appearance
to tune it out. This white
of this navigation system.
within
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AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF INFORMATION LIES WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE AIRPORT, BUT IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT
ANOTHER ELEMENT OF EXTERIOR AIRPORT SIGNAGE INCLUDES LED LIGHTING. THIS TYPE OF LIGHTING IS SEEN EASILY FROM THE ROAD DAY OR NIGHT, AND CAN BE UPDATED AND CHANGED INSTANTLY.
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THIS SYSTEM
of typographic navigation is
they interpret and perceive
not just limited to passengers.
it. For instance, a passenger
There is nearly as much
would never take note of the
signage for airport staff and
numbers flicking by on the
operations as there are for the
runway, just as an employee
public: signs restricting access,
would not follow the signs for
instructional directions, and
boarding. How are we able to
even information for the planes
tune out certain pieces of type,
themselves. The relationship
but not others? The answers
each person has to this space
lie within location.
drastically changes the way
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“It’s no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an airport’ appear.” — DOUGLAS ADAMS
TYPOGRAPHIC DECONSTRUCTION MOST COMMON COMMERCIAL PLANE ON EARTH
EMERGENCY EXIT SIGNAGE INSTRUCTIONAL SIGNAGE
MODEL NO.
TYPE LOCATIONS MAY VARY BY AIRCRAFT / AIRLINE
AIRLINE LOGO
REGISTRATION NUMBER
SECONDARY AIRLINE LOGO
PLANE NUMBER NATIONAL FLAG
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AS A PASSENGER
Incredible amounts of thought go into the layout, structure, and design of the world’s airports, and Kansas City International Airport is no different. Tying into the concept of wayfinding and navigation is the overall gridwork of the airport and the order in which its inhabitants encounter its contents. Upon the approach of the airport from the road, unfamiliar eyes seek out the first nods of help, the all-familiar highway sign. As you approach, you are inundated with airline names, terminals, gates, and parking signs, all items that are taken for granted by those who frequent the area regularly. For a passenger, this use of type remains relevant, new, and important, and therefore is never overlooked.
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TYPE
aimed at the public takes front and center.
Inside, passengers are beckoned by flight
It remains out in the open, generally large
numbers, gates, and security clearances.
and bold, for easy and quick viewing
It’s no surprise that many of the obstacles
by a hurrying passerby. Methods of
in your way have been put there for the
transportation like shuttle buses, taxis,
purpose of security and safety, which adds
and rental cars line the circle drives with
even more complication to the visual flow
their signage, demanding your attention.
and consistency.
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SIGNAGE FOR THE PUBLIC IS USED LARGELY FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES, HEAVILY FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION.
“Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” — ERMA BOMBECK
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ATL ORD LHR HND LAX ATLANTA
CHICAGO
LONDON
TOKYO
LOS ANGELES
DFW FRA CDG AMS DEN DALLAS
FRANKFURT
PARIS
AMSTERDAM
DENVER
PHX LAS MAD IAH HKG PHOENIX
LAS VEGAS
MADRID
HOUSTON
HONG KONG
MSP DTW DMK SFO MIA
JFK LGW EWR SIN NRT
MINNEAPOLIS
NEW YORK CITY
DETROIT
NEW YORK CITY
BANGKOK
SAN FRANCISCO
MIAMI
NEWARK
SINGAPORE
TOKYO
PEK SEA MCO YYZ STL BEIJING
SEATTLE
ORLANDO
TORONTO
SAINT LOUIS
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“That’s the trouble with flying: We always have to return to airports. Think of how much fun flying would be if we didn’t have to return to airports.” — HENRY MINIZBURG
50 ESSENTIALLY,
this use of typography is logical, practical, and important for the functionality of the airport. Without this set of instructions, warnings, or markings, the entire inner workings of the KCI would be non-existent. What is often overlooked by the public, such as baggage claim loading, landing markers, and specifics like pilot controls, become essential to the individuals who make these operations possible.
TYPOGRAPHY BEHIND THE SCENES PROVIDES AN INTERESTING AND DETAILED LOOK AT HOW THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AIRPORT FUNCTIONS.
54
SERVICE EQUIPMENT, OPERATIONAL MACHINES, AND APPLIANCES ALL DISPLAY IMPORTANT MESSAGES ESSENTIAL TO THE AIRPORT STAFF.
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58
UNDERSTANDING TYPE The reason we become
the assemblage of parts? It is
desensitized to so much of
because of this familiarity that
this type is because it is not
our minds recognize certain
meant for us, and we know
type as important, and other
that. What is important is
type as frivolous. Without this
that the people who it is
“filtration� system of viewing
meant for understand it and
type, our daily lives would be
take it seriously. Imagine if
even more inundated with
a pilot could not understand
typography than what we are
the radar, or a plane repair
used to.
worker could not figure out
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64 THERE IS
a language that unites us all, whether we tend to realize it or not. The symbol, sometimes referred to as an icon or pictogram, carries meaning with it that many words cannot. When used correctly these symbols pose as a simple and beautiful solution to marking a sign or space. The true beauty is not found within the form, but within its ability to reach a virtually limitless audience without the need for words.
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66
THE AIRFIELD MIGHT JUST BE THE MOST CRUCIAL LOCATION WITHIN THE ENTIRE AIRPORT. WITHOUT SYMBOLS AND SIGNAGE, THE ENTIRE OPERATION COULD BE JEOPARDIZED
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INTERNATIONAL FLAGS ON AIRPLANES ARE PRINTED IN REVERSE ON ONE SIDE TO MIMIC THE VIEW OF AN ACTUAL FLAG FROM SPECIFIC POINTS OF VIEW.
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“The whole visible universe is but a storehouse of images and signs to which the imagination will give a relative place and value; it is a sort of pasture which the imagination must digest and transform.” — CHARLES BAUDELAIRE
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SIMILAR TO
typical signage, symbols and icons are designed to communicate clearly and effectively while maintaining a big and bold appearance. Clarity is essential in the output of the symbol, as there is usually minimal to no supporting text to help clarify what each symbol is portraying or representing.
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FREQUENTLY SUBTLE AND UNNOTICED, THESE SYMBOLS COMMUNICATE VERY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, HELP, AND DIRECTIONS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.
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IN CONCLUSION
the airport remains a place that is in constant flux and movement. It is up to us to decide how to interpret, process, and use this type to better suit us in the instance that we need it. In just one fleeting moment, we enounter hundreds of these uses that tend to get lost in the background due to its sheer volume. What upholds importance is that this type is on a mission to direct, inform, and assist all who come in contact with and use it. It is this role that becomes so important when implemented into our lives and has a lasting impression on our minds as we continue onto our final destination.
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