Penn Museum
Sphinx? Right This Way.
- Wayfinding
- Donor Recognition
- Branded Environments
- Arts + Culture
An Invitation to Discover
Penn Museum has always invited curiosity and exploration. Exit’s Wayfinding Plan builds on that legacy, encouraging visitors to uncover their own hidden gems among the museum’s extraordinary collection of rare objects and artifacts from around the world. Working closely with museum staff during a period of brand refresh, major building renovations, and exhibition updates, we crafted a signage system that orients and informs without competing with or disrupting the exhibition experience.
Mapping the Journey
To support exploration across multiple levels, the museum was visualized through a user‑friendly axonometric map. This tool highlights galleries and vertical circulation, helping visitors easily understand where they are and where they can go as they move through layers of the building and our history.
Designed for Change
Gallery identification was designed and fabricated to support easy maintenance and ongoing updates. Each gallery is identified by number and name, with changeable components that accommodate temporary exhibitions. The system flexibly adapts to varied wall conditions and gallery thresholds found throughout the museum’s eclectic historic structure, which spans multiple expansions and architectural styles.
Direction at the Core
Clear direction leads the wayfinding design. Each directional panel frame is composed of an arrow, reinforcing navigation and exploration. Message panels distinguish between permanent and temporary galleries, and the system relies on standardized units to simplify updates and maintenance by museum staff, addressing one of the greatest challenges of the previous signage program.
A Cohesive Language Throughout
Base room signage creates consistency across the museum and academic spaces. Custom iconography supports intuitive identification of amenities, while dimensional lettering marks key destinations such as classrooms and specialty spaces.
