Wayfinding for Wandering
Visitor research revealed that people valued the sense of adventure in exploring the zoo. Rather than directing routes toward marquee exhibits, Cygnus’s strategy encouraged wandering and spontaneous encounters. The new Discovery Trail created a continuous thread through the site, enabling guests to reach any zone from any starting point. Distinct geographic zones act as clear anchor points, helping visitors orient themselves without prescriptive directions. The result is a journey as rewarding as the destination.
A New Colour System
Colour played a strategic role in wayfinding and placemaking, integrating the zoo’s geographic zones with its broader placemaking strategy and future interpretive panels. Drawn from the established brand palette and adapted for environmental legibility, each colour was selected to stand out within the natural surroundings while working harmoniously in combination. The result is a cohesive visual system that supports navigation, strengthens identity and unifies the visitor experience across signage, graphics and merchandise.
Custom Icons
Cygnus developed a custom iconography system from the ground up to ensure accessibility across cultures and languages. The process began with life-drawing studies, where icons for each animal exhibit were simplified into forms that remain legible at a distance and that double as graphic textures throughout the environment. This design system has since extended beyond wayfinding, adopted by the zoo’s marketing team for merchandise and brand assets. The result is a shared visual language that brings both consistency and personality to the brand.
Design for Flexibility
The zoo’s dynamic programming called for a system that could evolve. Seasonal exhibits, time-ticketed attractions, and rotating donor installations demanded a wayfinding approach rooted in adaptability. The solution was a modular design built around interchangeable panels, mounted on wood structures that blend with the site’s natural character. Every element was designed to support long-term operational ease, minimize maintenance, and allow for seamless future updates.
Installation Partners
A major installation program took place during Calgary’s snowy winter to ensure the new wayfinding system was ready for the launch of the panda exhibit in spring. The conditions presented numerous challenges, which Cygnus addressed by working closely with production partners and facility staff. Cygnus managed all procurement and installation, ensuring visitors could find their way to the pandas clearly from day one.
Project Gallery
