Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) recently selected Hunt Design to plan and design all-new pedestrian wayfinding signage for the exterior spaces of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). “This exciting project will be one of our largest and most important assignments,” says John Temple, Principal of Hunt Design, “Effective and understandable airport signage is key to a successful air travel experience.”
The large urban airport handles close to 70,000,000 passengers every year and each traveler needs critical information in the form of signs. LAX can be especially challenging for pedestrians — the walkable curbside of the two levels totals over four miles long and serves eight major terminals and over sixty airlines. “With multiple doorways in and out of baggage claim areas and ticketing, the exterior environment is not unlike a small city, with traffic, people in motion, multiple destinations, crosswalks and lights,” adds Temple. “Departing passengers need to find the right airline and arriving passengers need to find ground transportation options or meet up with loved ones. Well-designed airport wayfinding is essential.”
Hunt Design will first conduct a needs and opportunities study, meeting with groups of LAX stakeholders and passengers. Next will be wayfinding strategy development followed by concept design. The designers will be looking at other airports for the latest in airport signage ideas as well as other high-volume places where people need information.