The aim of this project was to provide signage to 12 airports for the national launch of Jetstar on 25th of May 2004

Central Signs manufactured and installed the initial launch signage to a very tight time frame, and has continued to provide this service to Jetstar, as it expands into new airports around Australia

Moon Design did an excellent job creating the new and distinct image for Jetstar. We then transformed those designs into workshop drawings for manufacture and installation.

Our proven QA system enabled us to avoid errors which would have made meeting the vital opening date impossible. We congratulate and acknowledge the great effort and assistance made by our subcontract network.

It was a delight to work with the staff of Jetstar, Moon Design and Hassell in delivering such an important and prestigious project, in such a short time frame.



Project Specifications

Click to enlarge:

HOW TO AVOID A DESIGN DISASTER!

Need to make a deadline? Achieve optimal results? And keep your clients? Learn how to avoid the pitfalls in designing an effective directory system.

1. Determine the overall size and lettering size
   
   

   The starting point for any directory system design should be; How many entries will there be? How many letters are there in an average entry? Allow 30 off including spaces, plus 2 for floor level. Note: reduce height of text for entries with greater than 30 letters. Will entries change often? What locations are available? What is the available area which can be used at each location? The next step is to decide what the letter height should be - which is dependent upon the distance from which the entries will be read. The letter height in millimetres will be the viewing distance in meters multiplied by 2. (eg Viewing distance 5 meters- character height is 10mm). That assumes reasonable lighting and reasonable contrast between lettering and background. With the letter height and the average number of letters in an entry the average area of an entry is defined. Multiplying by the total number of entries and allowing a suitable space between entries defines the overall directory area. Spaces between entries should be the same as letter height- but can be half letter height if necessary. The entries can be arranged in one column or many columns. Hence an overall area and shape of the area for all the entries, can be specified. If there is a problem with space available then more contracted fonts can be used.

   
   
2. Allow for changes
   
   

   Entries will normally be alphabetical and there will need to be re arrangement of entries when one tenant leaves and another arrives. The best approach to changes is to have spare entry spaces between each letter of the alphabet - say 3 or 4 spare entries at the end of each alphabetical group. Also if entries are to change often, then the easier it is to change entries the better. Also it is desirable that the graphics for each entry be generated as cut out vinyl lettering or digital prints or film which give consistent letter size and shape rather than engraved lettering where cutter size can effect the stroke width of the lettering.

   
   
3. Specify the type of Directory system to be used.
   
   

   Decide whether the Directory should be; - Illuminated or Non Illuminated - Based upon an off the shelf system - or a customised system A directory with a very large number of entries when extensive changes are not expected and where the available area is relatively small and viewing is from close up- less than 5 meters- could be specified as an illuminated directory- with entries in lettering 10m high with space of 7-10 mm between entries. i.e. a column of 50 entries would be 1000m deep (maximum). An entry of 10mm high text would run approximately 300mm. Hence you could have 4 columns- total 200 entries in an area 1000mm Deep X 1200 mm wide. Unless a slim line light box is used for an illuminated directory (which can reduce directory depth to approximately 70mm)- the depth of the illuminated box will be approximately 150mm- which can be located in a recess to reduce the amount projecting from the wall. The most commonly used non illuminated systems are the Slatz and S2K system - both have slats of various depths and lengths that can be assembled together to make an attractive grid on which cut out vinyl letters are applied. Changeability can be effected by removing slats, removing vinyl and replacing. There are various extrusions and aluminum bars that can be used to develop a customised system to any dimensions - although generally - the individual slats will be not less than 10mm in depth. Extrusions can be slid on and off bases or held in place magnetically. Frames and stands can be constructed to achieve particular design effects. The desired look and security of the system can be achieved.

   
   
4. Installation
   
   Directories can be on a stand or as a panel freestanding, suspended or wall fixed - fixed through the back - or on split battens.
   
   
   W J Walsh
   Central Signs Pty Ltd