Educational Signage and Wayfinding at the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum
Partner organization: Lyon Arboretum
Team members: Diyar Aljabbari (Electrical and Computer Engineering ’25), Kaitlyn Bergeron (Biology and Biotechnology ’25), Olivia Cava (Data Science ’25), Sean Lendrum (Computer Science ’25)
Download the team’s final presentation.
Lyon Arboretum, a research unit at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is located in the back of Mānoa Valley. Their mission is to “inspire and cultivate the conservation of tropical plant biodiversity and connect it to the culture of Hawaiʻi through education and research” (Lyon Arboretum, 2023). Due to its educational nature, and focus on conservation and Hawaiian culture, it came as no surprise that stakeholders were deeply engaged in finding new opportunities for improvement in the Arboretum. Whether it be for plant growth, or the growth of educational resources, the passion exuded by staff and volunteers made for an impactful research experience and contributed greatly to project direction.
The project sponsor, Raedelle Van Fossen, Education Manager at Lyon Arboretum, is dedicated to fostering educational experiences for visitors. Van Fossen indicated that our team would be tasked with improving signage and wayfinding at the Arboretum, with an overarching goal of enriching the visitor experience. She further explained: “If someone comes to Lyon and leaves interested to learn more about our plants or conservation, we have done our job” (Van Fossen).
Upon arrival at the Arboretum, our objectives were to: 1) assess current signage and wayfinding, 2) determine potential opportunities for growth, and 3) implement, experiment, and recommend solutions. Throughout this process, our team considered the following research question: how can we develop effective solutions that will continue to serve the Arboretum, in the same way that staff and volunteers do every day?
Key Findings from a Multi-Phased Approach
Our team conducted all research in two phases; the first phase involved data collection and analysis while the second phase included implementation of deliverables. In Phase 1, our team gathered data from semi-structured interviews, field observations, and individual background research. From an analysis of all information collected, we uncovered an overwhelming desire to: 1) increase the educational value of the Arboretum through the implementation of more interpretive signage, 2) ensure consistency across all designs through the use of signage templates and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and 3) improve wayfinding for visitors by utilizing the Arboretum’s updated, color map, instead of the black and white maps in distribution at the time.
To address stakeholder needs, our team determined the following list of key deliverables:
1. Digital Signage Templates Package.
- Various types of signage developed in a similar style using Adobe Illustrator.
2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sign-making.
- Ensuring easy replication of designs, engraving processes, and file conversions.
3. List of Locations for Future Signage Implementation.
- Determined from analyzed interviews and group field observations.
4. Cost-Effective Solution for Utilizing the Updated Color Map.
- Printing, laminating, and distributing the maps to be reused.
5. Templates for Future Signage Implementation in the Spice Garden.
- There is funding available to create large interpretive signage here.
After developing deliverables in Phase II, we conducted a final focus group to gather feedback, and all deliverables were well received by stakeholders. Additionally, our team ran a day-long experiment to test the map solution. This included printing, laminating, and reusing the updated color maps. In this trial, team members stationed themselves outside the Visitors Center, handed out reusable maps to visitors, and measured the return rate.
Aside from physical deliverables, the data-gathering phase yielded insight into local and Indigenous perspectives, especially of those at the heart of conservation in Hawai‘i. Interviews revealed that staff and volunteers have personal connections to the Arboretum and its flora. Additionally, we learned that there are challenges faced as a result of the tourism industry in Hawai‘i.
Recommendations
- To increase the educational value of Lyon Arboretum, our team recommends the implementation of more interpretive signage based on the list of locations we compiled. This list was generated by analyzing staff and volunteer interview notes and identifying common themes. Additionally, our team included locations we discovered during field observations. We recommend signage implementation starting in the Spice Garden, as there is currently funding available for outsourcing large interpretive panels.
- To ensure consistency across all future signage designs, our team recommends the use of the signage templates package and SOPs. These were created using detailed notes and given to other students for review. Feedback suggested the SOPs were clear, and the templates uniformly designed.
- To improve wayfinding for visitors, our team recommends the continuation of our cost-effective and eco-friendly map solution. During the trials, there was a 100% return rate, and the solution was well received by visitors and staff alike.
Future Direction and Final Notes
Implementing the recommendations outlined above serves as an opportunity for Lyon Arboretum to stay true to its mission. The incorporation of more educational signage increases the chance of piquing visitor interest in conservation and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.
Ensuring consistency across all signage designs creates a professional, cohesive system that is easy to interpret. Enhancing wayfinding resources provides a more informed and enjoyable navigational experience for visitors. These actions can be executed through the implementation of our project deliverables. Utilizing our produced templates, SOPs, list of locations, and reusable maps not only helps to address current desires for enhancing visitor experience but also lays the groundwork for endless opportunities in future project work. Whether it be implementing physical signage, designing interactive educational exhibits, or utilizing GIS mapping technology to engineer an improved map, there are always opportunities to grow at Lyon Arboretum.