A very special Polish city

Cracow is a pearl among Polish cities. It’s presence on the first UNESCO World Heritage List is a meaningful testimony to the value of the city's thousand-year history.

It is known as the spiritual and cultural capital of Poland. This diversified and complex city requires a wayfinding system with the highest level of functionality, but also a system that can shoulder the Cracow’s heritage and will demonstrate the uniqueness of its urban space.

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Typography

A special Polish city - a special Polish typeface. Di Grotesk by M. Misiak is a font inspired by XIX century grotesque.

Geometric, armed with an individualized detail, provides at the same time readability in urban space (reading at an angle) and the economics of the sign format.

Color 

Violet. One of its kind for Cracow wayfinding system. Unique, reminiscent of royal purple. Perfectly situated and in contrast to the urban space. Works well with contemporary and historical buildings.

Icons

Inspired by a detail referring to Cracow’s publishing history. The icons are based on a rhomb, a repetitive element appearing in old prints.

In order to enhance readability and underline the individuality of the wayfinding, we give up the outline. The icons function as filled timeless shapes.

Tourist Routes

Each route has a color and symbol assigned. Tourist route signs are a graphic extension of the icon format.

The maps in general version and in close-up awlays appear together. With additional mint color we indicate:

1. The point "Here you are"

2. Pedestrian zone circle

Placing on the map illustrations showing characteristic or historic objects supports the sense of direction. The characteristic illustrations of historical objects enrich the visual language of Cracow’s wayfinding system.

Constructions of signs

The concept of signs is based on the idea of uncovering, discovering and closing-up the city of Cracow.

Cracow’s wayfinding system is based on three key signs: template, pylon, an information / directional pole.

Wall signs have a simple and functional but at the same time an original form. They are extremely easy to assemble, resistant to mechanical and atmospheric damage.