The City Information System in Krakow

The City Information System in Krakow

A system for Poland’s cultural gem.

Design of Public Space

Background

Kraków, often described as the spiritual and cultural capital of Poland, is a city of complex structure and rich heritage. As one of the first sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it poses a unique challenge for the design of urban infrastructure.
Challenge

To design a wayfinding system that reflects the historic significance of Kraków while ensuring modern-day clarity, accessibility, and functionality for both residents and visitors.
Insight

The system was built around the idea of discovering the city step by step, revealing its layers gradually. Historical figures, Queen Jadwiga and King Kazimierz, appear subtly throughout the signage, serving as guides.
Solution

The information system consists of three main elements: plaques, pylons, and informational posts. Maps are available in both general and zoomed-in formats, with mint green used to indicate the “You are here” point and walkable range. Key landmarks and monuments are illustrated to enhance orientation. A dedicated typeface, Di Grotesk by Mateusz Misiak, was designed for the city. Inspired by 19th-century grotesques, it blends geometric structure with individual details, ensuring legibility in urban settings and efficiency in space usage. The system’s signature color is a deep violet, a bold hue that evokes royal heritage and stands out across Kraków’s diverse architectural landscape, from historic façades to contemporary structures. Each tourist route is marked with its own color and symbol. These route markers expand the visual iconography of the system and support intuitive, easy navigation.

Mamastudio
dla Miasta Kraków

Project Management

Piotr Ręczajski
Art Direction

Magda Ponagajbo
Design

Zuzanna Rogatty
Szymon Sawicki

3D Design

Jakub Marzoch
Type Design

Marian Misiak