Queenstown Airport— Making the invisible visible

  • Our team was hired to redesign the wayfinding system for Queenstown Airport, the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand. The airport aims to provide an efficient and top-notch facility that reflects the best of the region. We worked closely with the airport team to understand their needs and prioritized a customer-centred approach throughout the creative process. We referred to the airport's affordable, adaptable, sustainable, and memorable principles to guide our work.

    We created a unique, functional, and recognizable signage system that appeals to multiple audiences, emphasizing the concept of "Making the invisible visible." The system visualizes the invisible lines created when people travel from one place to another, using a flexible, modular, and scalable identity of three intuitive and friendly lines. We also designed a bespoke set of pictograms, which we super-sized to enhance the visitor experience.

    The Queenstown Airport brand identity inspired the colour palette, paired with the legible Flama by Feliciano Type Foundry. We also incorporated New Zealand's heritage elements, such as the traditional Maori Koru, throughout the wayfinding system. We carefully selected photographs from local artists to support the community.

    The redesign highlights that Queenstown Airport is a human, friendly and warm atmosphere despite growing passenger numbers, which have reached more than 2.14 million annually. We transformed the wayfinding system for the international and domestic terminals, airside and landside doors, bathroom facilities, car parks, Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS), info desk, baggage trolleys, QAC internal offices, and the operations centre.

    The result is a highly distinctive and consistent wayfinding system that fosters a positive experience for all visitors.

    CREDITS
    Photography: Michael Thomas

    AWARDS
    Best Design Awards 2019: Finalist

    PUBLICATIONS
    Chois Gallery, China
    GSM Vol 8, New Zealand
    Novum, Germany
    Package & Design Magazine, China

    TESTIMONIAL
    Collaborating with MAKEBARDO was refreshing in its ease. Many words can be used to describe the dynamic pair that are Bren & Luis – inspirational, passionate, gifted, innovative, humble, beyond helpful….they are; in essence; exceptional designers. We had a vision which they made into the most wonderful reality, truly making the invisible; visible. We are complimented daily by our contemporaries and most importantly by our passengers. What a pleasure it was to work alongside this talented team. I very much look forward to continuing on our creative and adventurous journey together. —Orla Nic Carthaigh, Airport Duty Manager & Wayfinding Project Manager

Wayfinding design
 

Airport wayfinding system. Video explanation of the concept.

 
MAKEBARDO

MAKEBARDO is a New Zealand, Queenstown-based design studio run by Bren Imboden and Luis Viale. As a creative duo, we make conceptual and strategic work for local and international clients. Our aim is to partner with people looking to develop meaningful brands.

The studio has been specializing in brand identity and packaging design. Whether your project is independent or commercial, small or big, we always are willing to hear your story and see if we can collaborate to develop your project, so please do not hesitate to drop us a line.

http://www.makebardo.com
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