Floripa Wayshowing
Story-telling and wayshowing signage for the city of Florianópolis
Signage project developed during the masters programme in IADT Dun Laoghaire
Signage project developed during the masters programme in IADT Dun Laoghaire
Florianópolis: a natural Eden
Florianópolis or Floripa for short, is a popular summer destination. The island is known by the locals as “ilha da magia” or “island of magic”. It hosts a wide range of ecosystems: sand dunes, swamps, flatlands, hills, bays, lagoons, sandy and rocky shores. In the sea, tourists can spot dolphins, whales and penguins.
Due to its location along the continental coast, the island has a variety of beaches: from agitated waters (ideal for surfing) to calm ones.
The natural attractions overshadow the city centre, which is filled with diverse attractions and holds most of the history of the city.
The tourism in Florianópolis is changing. It is no longer just a summer destination. In 2014, the city received a “Creative City of Gastronomy” status from UNESCO and there are plenty of gastronomy festivals outside the summer season.
There are gastronomic routes spread around four neighbourhoods: Coqueiros, Ribeirão da Ilha, Lagoa da Conceição and Sambaqui. Each provides a variety of restaurant options with breath-taking views.
The city centre is best explored on foot. The present signage project intends to be applied to a small area of 1.83 square kilometres. All landmarks in the city centre are within walking distance from each other.
From top to bottom:
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Naufragados Beach
Itaguaçu Beach
Hercílio Luz Bridge
Naufragados Beach
Itaguaçu Beach
City centre gems
Florianópolis is older than it looks. It was founded in 1675. The city centre hosts a long list of iconic buildings. Some tourists report that It feels like Lisbon.
There is a reason for it. Portuguese immigrants from the Azores were among the first Europeans to colonize the island.
The main cathedral was the place of the very first chapel built in the city. Now a towering structure, it holds a great collection of holy paintings and sculptures.
The Cruz e Sousa Palace used to be the official house of Santa Catarina government. It is now a history museum about the city and the state.
Due to its strategic geography along the Brazilian coast, the city was heavily fortified to protect the colony against unwelcome guests such as pirates and looters. One of the forts holds the museum of arms, which is located in the city centre.
The small islands around the coast of Florianópolis such as Anhatomirim and Ratones Grande - which also holds historical fortifications, can be accessed by schooner ships. There are two pick-up locations within the city centre.
Left: Metropolitan Cathedral
Right: Palácio Cruz e Sousa
Right: Palácio Cruz e Sousa
A thrilling history: pirates and rebelions
In 1687, the town’s founder, Francisco Dias Velho, arrested pirates that drifted away from their fleet and then took their bounty. The pirates swore revenge and two years later another pirate vessel arrived at the island. They looted the village and killed Dias Velho.
In 1893, a great portion of the national Navy rebelled against the presidential government and besieged the federal capitol, Rio de Janeiro. The fortresses controlled by Floriano Peixoto (second president of Brazil) fired against the ships, which sailed south for Desterro, now Florianópolis. This rebellion was called the Armed Revolution (Revolução Armada). A revolutionary decree named Desterro as the provisional capitol of Brazil. Two separate movements against the same enemy, the Federalist Revolution from the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and the Armed Revolution from Rio de Janeiro joined forces and made the small city of Desterro their hometown. The coup failed and Desterro was renamed Florianópolis, city of Floriano.
In 1979, when Brazil was under a military dictatorship, the then president João Figueiredo visited the city. In what was supposed to be a routine speech, the crowd rebelled against the leader and insulted him. A plate that was to be inaugurated by Figueiredo was also destroyed and tossed away. This event (called Novembrada) was the first rebellion against the military regime who had wide control over the media.
Right: Floriano Peixoto
Left: The death of Dias Velho by Dakir Parreiras (1927)
Bottom: View of Santa Catarina Isle by Duché de Vancy (1785)
Left: The death of Dias Velho by Dakir Parreiras (1927)
Bottom: View of Santa Catarina Isle by Duché de Vancy (1785)
My Floripa: part of a system
The Florianópolis branding project started in June 2014, an initiative from Laboratório da Gênese Organizacional - LOGO, at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).
It is comprised of several icons representing the best Florianópolis has to offer. Nature, architecture, sports, history and much more.
This branding project also offers a colour scheme and a new typeface: Purpurata Sans.
The brand has not been fully implemented yet. The signage effort intends to work in collaboration with the ongoing project.
Meet the wayshowing team
Fingerpost
The fingerposts are the most recurrent element in this project. To be applied on the busiest intersections, it will point the user to nearby attractions. It is in Portuguese, but the pictograms are here to help international users. It shows the way to a particular place and inform how much time it will take to get there.
ID totem
To every significant place or building there will be an identification totem near the entrance. It’s function is to identify the place itself and it’s nature. The title is in Portuguese and it will feature texts in Portuguese, Spanish and English. A number will provide the user access to an audio guide about the location.
Demi totem
Not every historical moment of the city is grounded to a single place. These totems will provide information about meaningful events that took place in the city.
Another demi totem is a map that shows the layout of the city and provides the user a bird’s eye view of what’s nearby.
Another demi totem is a map that shows the layout of the city and provides the user a bird’s eye view of what’s nearby.
Fingerposts: pointing the way
These 3-dimensional posts are to be placed on the most visited intersections around the city. Just like a finger pointing the way, it is a direct instruction on how to get to each attraction. Each post can show the way to up to 24 different destinations.
Each finger points out the direction and duration of the journey to each venue. It is shown in minutes, based on a steady 5km/h pace. This benefits international tourists who use metric or imperial measurements.
Every place is shown only in Portuguese with a pictogram to identify the nature of the place. At the outer edge, the walking time is depicted with a pictogram.
These fingerposts are designed to show the way to every user, regardless if they are able or unable to understand a map.
Rua Jerônimo Coelho x Rua Felipe Schmidt
Places and distances shown here are real.
Places and distances shown here are real.
Fingerposts: what's in it
All stationery, but feels like an interactive display: nearest attraction is shown at the top and the farthest at the bottom.
As you walk through the city you will encounter various fingerposts. At every fingerpost, the walk time is updated. Colour coding helps to spot the destination as it moves up.
Each fingerpost can show the way to up to 24 destinations. That is 6 destinations for every cardinal direction (north, south, east and west).
Fingerposts: what do they do?
We’ll show you the way, all the way
It’s not just about showing the direction. As you walk through the city you will encounter various fingerposts. Each provides feedback that assures the user is on the right way.
It’s not just about showing the direction. As you walk through the city you will encounter various fingerposts. Each provides feedback that assures the user is on the right way.
Locals benefit too
Locals do not need instructions to find main landmarks, but there are several venues a citizen will eventually need to go. Picking up a driver’s license? Passport? We’ll show you the way.
Locals do not need instructions to find main landmarks, but there are several venues a citizen will eventually need to go. Picking up a driver’s license? Passport? We’ll show you the way.
Need help? Emergency services are here
Tourism might become unpleasant. If something goes bad, we are here to help. Hospitals, police stations and all other emergency services are included in the system.
Tourism might become unpleasant. If something goes bad, we are here to help. Hospitals, police stations and all other emergency services are included in the system.
Fingerposts: more than getting from A to B
It’s a safe journey
Let’s face it. Walking through the streets in Brazil can be dangerous. Fingerposts do their best to direct the user on the safest paths. Get there quickly and safely.
Let’s face it. Walking through the streets in Brazil can be dangerous. Fingerposts do their best to direct the user on the safest paths. Get there quickly and safely.
Realist about vandalism
The plates are placed 2 metres above the ground making it less accessible. Plastic rather than metal prevents it from being stolen. A special coating makes it easy to remove spray paint and inks.
The plates are placed 2 metres above the ground making it less accessible. Plastic rather than metal prevents it from being stolen. A special coating makes it easy to remove spray paint and inks.
Built to last and to adapt
Fingerposts are designed to endure the elements with minimal maintenance. The modular system makes exchanging the plates easy. As the city changes, fingerpost changes with it.
Fingerposts are designed to endure the elements with minimal maintenance. The modular system makes exchanging the plates easy. As the city changes, fingerpost changes with it.
ID Totems: what's the story?
Conspicuous and direct
These totems are here to identify places and buildings. Below the main heading, an information bar presents the basic information of the venue such as construction dates and style.
These totems are here to identify places and buildings. Below the main heading, an information bar presents the basic information of the venue such as construction dates and style.
Works with your smartphone
Use your mobile as an audio guide. Totems displays a number for each place. Install our app and all you need to do is type in the number . Now you can listen to a commentary track of the current attraction. No need to read the text below.
Use your mobile as an audio guide. Totems displays a number for each place. Install our app and all you need to do is type in the number . Now you can listen to a commentary track of the current attraction. No need to read the text below.
Proud to speak Portuguese, delighted to be trilingual
All the information is displayed in Portuguese, Spanish and English to cater a wide range of nationalities. The audioguide app will also provide this information in other languages
All the information is displayed in Portuguese, Spanish and English to cater a wide range of nationalities. The audioguide app will also provide this information in other languages
ID Totems: what's in it
ID totems: close-up
