UGA College of Environment and Design graduate student Ben Proulx was in Thomson on Wednesday to present his study on enhancing gateway and wayfinding signage. The issue is one of several on the agenda for the Community Image and Communications Issue Work Group, facilitated by the Archway Partnership.
The group’s goal is to create a cohesive set of signage throughout the community. “The idea is to ensure some consistency and for there to be a program of signage, not just helter-skelter,” said Don Powers, city manager for Thomson and member of the work group.
Proulx took a look at what other communities around the country have done and particularly nearby Columbia County. He also examined the current state of signage throughout Thomson and McDuffie County, and came up with several possible design concepts for the group to consider.
With the opening of the new government center and its prominent brick structure, brick could be a common element among future signage. Thomson’s history and character, such as the Rock House, was also taken into account and this lends itself to stone as a core element in possible concepts.
Proulx presented some of the latest trends in wayfinding signage – basically the signs that help visitors get around. These can be as generic as a sign directing to downtown, or more specific direction to local landmarks, such as the Thomson Twin Cinema – think “Thomson Twin Cinema – .9 Miles” or “Rock House – 2 Miles.”
Some of the proposed signage could be placed near the interstate, around downtown or even in industrial parks to help workers find other points in McDuffie.
“Good signage tells you where you are and that you’re going somewhere. Consistent signage provides a framework and gives the feeling of organization and planning that is beneficial for a community,” said Proulx.
This project fits into an overall plan for renovation or redevelopment in Thomson. Nearby Augusta is the second largest metro region in the state and is causing some spillover growth in McDuffie County. Anticipating and attracting some of that growth is one of the priorities for the city and county.
These types of presentations are often done by large companies that specialize in this type of project. In Thomson’s case, however, thanks to the Archway Partnership, students specializing in these fields can start the process and potentially save the city and county thousands of dollars.
Members of the Community Image and Communications Issue Work Group are pulled from across the community. The work group model that Archway uses allows for community input across a cross-section of residents. On this project, the group will decide on a design concept they prefer, present the recommendations to the city and county and then start the process with professional contractors.
Proulx has become somewhat of an expert in the McDuffie area. He lives in Madison, a short trip away, and is also working on a rendering project of the Thomson Twin Cinema façade and a landscape plan for the new government building.
The Archway Partnership is a unit of Public Service and Outreach at UGA. It connects Georgia communities to the full range of higher education resources available at the university to address critical community-identified needs. Thomson-McDuffie is one of 13 communities selected for the Archway Partnership since the program began in 2005.
Writer: Baker Owens, baker.owens@uga.edu, 706-542-1667
Contact: Rob Gordon, gordon@uga.edu, 706-542-3268