In the modern corporate world, an office is more than just a place to work; it is a physical manifestation of a brand’s identity and a tool for navigation. At The Bernard Group (TBG), we specialize in transforming corporate environments through strategic wayfinding and custom signage that balances aesthetic beauty with functional precision.
Key Takeaways:
- Effective corporate wayfinding guides visitors clearly and engages employees by integrating brand, highlighting decision points, and using layered visuals.
- TBG integrates advanced, high-precision Braille printing directly into custom signage to ensure workspaces are both ADA compliant and maintain a premium, inclusive aesthetic.
- TBG provides strategic corporate wayfinding for complex spaces for Starkey, UnityPoint Health, T-Mobile, Fairview, and the TBG x Smartpress co-branded campus.
Designing for People: How to be Functional for Visitors and Inspiring for Employees
The primary challenge in corporate wayfinding is avoiding the “beige trap”, creating signage that is functional but lacks visual appeal. While clear directions are vital for guests, the daily aesthetic experience of employees, who constantly engage with the environment, is equally important. Our strategy is to integrate these two necessities:
1. Use Identity as Your Compass
Effective wayfinding goes beyond simple directional cues like arrows and room numbers. We advocate for designing spaces that communicate identity, not just direction. This involves using your brand’s unique elements (such as custom typography, color palette, and distinctive materials like brushed aluminum or reclaimed wood) to establish distinct “neighborhoods” within the office. By transforming a space from a mere arrangement of cubicles into a memorable destination, navigation naturally evolves into an immersive journey through your company’s narrative.
2. Prioritize the “Decision Points”
Effective wayfinding minimizes cognitive load. We meticulously plan the visitor’s journey, starting the moment they arrive. Strategically placing impactful, creative signage at critical “decision points” (such as intersections, lobby entrances, and stairwells) eliminates the sense of being lost for guests without introducing visual clutter for daily occupants.
3. Layer Your Visuals
To maintain a fresh and dynamic feel, consider a layered approach. Use environmental graphics (like wall wraps or custom timeline walls) to create an inspiring backdrop. For functional information, utilize sleek, minimalist 3D lettering. This deliberate contrast keeps the office vibrant and engaging, avoiding an institutional atmosphere.
Accessibility for All: Advanced Braille Printing Capabilities
At TBG, we believe modern office design must be founded on inclusivity. Rather than treating ADA compliance as an afterthought, we seamlessly integrate accessibility with sophistication. Our commitment is evident in our custom Braille signage.
We use advanced, high-precision printing to create durable, tactile lettering that is fully compliant with safety codes. By integrating Braille directly into the design (instead of using stick-on labels) we ensure your workspace maintains its premium aesthetic while clearly demonstrating your dedication to accessibility.
Learn More About Our Accessible Printing Capacities.
5 Ways to Navigate Corporate Wayfinding
These case studies demonstrate how our strategic wayfinding solutions have successfully transformed complex corporate environments into intuitive and highly functional spaces for a variety of organizations.
1. Illuminating Audio Technology at Starkey
TBG partnered with Starkey to transform their Eden Prairie headquarters into a multi-dimensional, branded experience.
How TBG managed the full production:
- A 3M vinyl wall wrap base
- Custom White Recycled 3015 Pin Letters
- P95 frosted acrylic signs with MBS standoffs (for a modern, floating effect)
The innovative installation also features 13 LED backlit circles and integrated television screens for AI-driven content, designed to remain current and relevant for its 10-year lifespan.
Hear how we amplified the Starkey wall.
2. Crafting Donor Recognition at UnityPoint Health
TBG partnered with UnityPoint Health on the Jeff Levy Education Donor Wall, creating an enduring healthcare landmark with a focus on both visual impact and a 10-year sustainable lifespan. Key features include backlit acrylic “push-through” letters for a 3D illuminated effect and eco-friendly materials like Neenah Digiscape (PVC-free) and Recycled 3015 Frosted Acrylic. A custom wooden surround and laminated MDF backer were added for warmth, depth, and permanence.
See our care-filled work with UnityPoint.
3. Unified Corporate Wayfinding at T-Mobile
T-Mobile needed a massive overhaul of its signage across ten buildings to create a safer and more intuitive workspace. The Bernard Group (TBG) engineered a “living” system that unified fragmented designs across two major campuses. The core mission was to modernize egress maps and ensure 100% ADA compliance, particularly for tornado-prone zones and secure data areas. TBG’s solution involved designing custom-fabricated refreshable frames using P95 White Acrylic and Brushed Nickel hardware. This design empowers T-Mobile staff, allowing them to update information in-house using simple cardstock inserts, which ensures the system evolves in real-time.
Connect with the T-Mobile Magenta Makeover.
4. Signs of (Health)Care at Fairview
The Bernard Group, collaborating with Fairview Branding, provided a comprehensive environmental graphics package for Fairview’s Center for Community Health Equity. This transformed the space to blend social justice, Indigenous recognition, healing, and high-end design. The graphics included light boxes with community imagery, vinyl lettering of leadership quotes, and inclusive wayfinding. Key elements were a stone-mounted Indigenous Land Acknowledgment, bilingual room identifiers like the “Bdote Room,” and custom-wrapped, on-brand signage. The result is a welcoming “Hub” that efficiently guides visitors while reinforcing the mission to reduce health disparities.
5. Our New Office Environment & Wayfinding Signage
Transitioning to a unified, two-building headquarters in Chanhassen, MN, provided us with the ultimate canvas to practice what we preach. By bringing The Bernard Group and Smartpress teams, technology, and manufacturing together, we eliminated the friction of physical separation. Our signage system had to reflect this new “synchronized system,” ensuring that strategy, design, and production felt like one continuous flow.
Across our expansive campus, the wayfinding is an intentional experience with:
- Operational Clarity: Our signage makes it easy for both employees and visitors to navigate high-density production areas and creative zones alike.
- The Smartpress Wall: Upon entering, visitors encounter the Smartpress Wall—a vibrant, tactile display that celebrates the innovation of our online printing platform.
- The Gallery Hall: This space acts as a rotating museum of our best work, reinforcing our core purpose to everyone who walks the halls.
Elevating Your Own Workspace
The core tenets of wayfinding and environmental design hold true, whether the focus is on relocating to a new headquarters or simply updating your existing office space.
- Prioritize the User Experience: Start by mapping the journey of a first-time visitor. Identify points of potential confusion and opportunities to integrate inspiring brand messaging.
- Maintain Visual Consistency: Your physical signage should align seamlessly with the visual language used across your website and marketing materials.
- Engage with Three-Dimensional Design: Enhance the impact of your signs by incorporating elements like varied textures, strategic lighting, and layered visuals.
Transform Your Space
Ready for an office build-out or a strategic brand refresh? The story your walls tell is important, and we’ll make sure it’s the right one. Our team is prepared to manage the entire process, from initial site surveys to final installation.