OUR MANTRA
Create graphics and signage that capture the essence of our
client’s brands and bring a distinctly human touch to a highly
strategic process.
ABOUT US
Studio Wilks specializes in the creation of powerful graphics and
signage for three dimensional branded environments.
We create value for our clients by finding the humanity inherent in
their projects. We distill that humanity into a highly focused visual
design language, which we ultimately use to create an emotional
bond between our client and their audience.
Studio Wilks has extensive experience creating graphics and
signage for the following types of projects:
Cultural institutions, primarily museums and libraries
Cultural Exhibitions and Corporate Tradeshows
Retail
Restaurants
Theme parks
LIBRARY GRAPHICS AND SIGNAGE
MILPITAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Group 4 Architects hired us to design an identity and wayfinding signage program that would
help them unify the classical design of an existing historic structure with the contemporary,
dynamic forms of their new building concept.
We conceived a signage program that not only informs the library patron but, also serves to
communicate the architect’s concept of transitioning from past to the future.
LIBRARY GRAPHICS AND SIGNAGE
WALNUT CREEK LIBRARY
Working with Group 4 Architects, we designed a graphics and signage program with the
primary objective of integrating the natural park setting into the interior library environment.
Our solution combined stylized images of local tree and plant life with contemporary graphics
and signage methods and materials to create an inspired sense of place within the library
context. In some cases, our signage solutions literally transition from the exterior of the building
into the interior.
Our scope of work included the primary identity, as well as the wayfinding, code, and donor
recognition signage.
LIBRARY GRAPHICS AND SIGNAGE
MITCHELL PARK CENTER
Community
Center
Library
Park
3700
City of Palo Alto
centers on carbon dioxide,
the world's most abundant
greenhouse gas, and its major
sources -- fossil fuels. Seldom .
so the idea is new.
O B S E R V AT I O N
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SOLAR ABSORBTION
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LEVEL
DIRECTORY
Most of the national is the
debate about global warming
Plan
1
Most of the national
debate about global
warming centers on
OBSERVATION
ATION
0303
carbon dioxide, the
world's most abundant
greenhouse gas, and
its
major sources -- fossil
c
Most of the national is the
debate about global warming
centers on carbon dioxide,
centers on carbon dioxide,
the world's most abundant
the world's most abundant
greenhouse gas, and its major
greenhouse gas, and its major
sources -- fossil fuels. Seldom .
sources -- fossil fuels. Seldom .
so the idea is new.
so the idea is new.
Most of the national
LEVE
LEV
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2
1
Most of the national
debate about global
debate about global
warming centers on
warming centers on
carbon dioxide, the
carbon dioxide, the
world's most abundant
world's most abundant
greenhouse gas, and its
greenhouse gas, and its
major sources -- fossil c
major sources -- fossil c
West View
SOLAR ABSORBTION
03
03
OBSERVAT IO
ON
Most of the national
debate about global
warming centers on
carbon dioxide, the
world's most abundant
greenhouse gas, and its
major sources -- fossil
fuels. Seldom
mentioned is
that
cows and other rumina,
such as sheep and
goats, are walking gas
factories that take in
fodder and put out
methane and nitrous
oxide, two greenhouse
gases that are far more
efficient at trapping
heat than carbon
dioxide. Methane, with
21 times the warming
potential of CO2, comes
from both ends of a
North View
WELCOME
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OBSERVATION
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Most of the national is the
debate about global warming
YOUR SUSTAINABLE LIBRARY
Most of the national debate
about global warming centers
on carbon dioxide, the world's
most abundant greenhouse gas,
and its major sources -- fossil
fuels. Seldom mentioned is
that cows and other rumina,
such as sheep and goats, are
walking gas factories that take in
fodder and put out methane
and nitrous oxide, two
greenhousen
East View
South View
MITCHELL PARK LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER - PALO ALTO, CA
We are currently working on this project with Group 4 Architects. The graphics and signage
showcase the sustainable practices and methods that are integrated into the building
architecture, which targets LEEDS Platinum certification. This project is curently under
construction.
EXHIBIT GRAPHICS
AMERICA I AM, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN IMPRINT EXHIBIT
This 20,000 square foot traveling museum exhibition experience explores pivotal moments in
courage, conviction and creativity that celebrate the undeniable imprint of African Americans
across the nation and around the world.
We created the comprehensive branding program for this groundbreaking exhibit which
included identity, exhibit graphics and signage.
Among our most significant contributions to this project were capturing the emotional tone of
the exhibit through our design of powerful and compelling large-scale wall murals for the
exhibit’s 12 gallery spaces.
EXHIBIT DESIGN
NOKIA 3G EXHIBIT
Nokia 3G made its debut at Telecom in Geneva. Showcasing Nokia’s visionary wireless
communication prototypes, our retro-future design approach acknowledged the past and
embraced the future. Form, color, texture and new multimedia technologies convey the
essence of Nokia: Connecting People. We designed the graphic panels and produced the
Nokia 3G exhibit space that showcased the latest cell phone designs by The Art Center’s
design students and Nokia’s in-house design team in addition to overseeing the media
development. Awarded overall best design at ComJapan ‘99.
E N V I R O N M E N TA L S I G N A G E / G R A P H I C S
US OPEN - ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS AND SIGNAGE PROGRAM
Studio Wilks designed extensive signage and graphics programs for the presigious US OPEN
tennis tournament over the course of 4 years. We designed a comprehensive banner and mural
program which includes entry identifications, stadium pagentry for three stadium exteriors, and a
pole banner and mural program throughout the 42.5 acre site.
I D E N T I T Y / S I G N A G E / G R A P H I C S / P R I N T C O L L AT E R A L
CERRITOS LIBRARY
We developed a comprehensive graphics and signage program for this 80,000 square foot
“experience library” of the future. Our scope included the identity design, interior and exterior
signage, exhibit graphics and graphic amenities such as murals and glass railings.
LIBRARY/EXHIBIT/SIGNAGE/GRAPHICS
Cerritos Children's Library entry
Magnetic interactive educational wall mural
CERRITOS LIBRARY – CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
Comprised of interactive elements and exhibit design, Studio Wilks created a themed environment
children’s library. The larger-than-life “classic books” themed entry begins the children’s journey into an
exciting library environment. The library walls are interactive, educational tools that lead to discussion
about natural history, the environment and exploration.
L I B R A R Y / P R I N T C O L L AT E R A L
CERRITOS LIBRARY - PRINT COLLATERAL
Upon our completion of the library’s identity and signage systems, the city invited us to extend
the vision and graphic language we had established into the comprehensive marketing,
promotional, and informational print materials program.
EXHIBIT GRAPHICS
EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT
We created the brand look for the Experience Music
Project’s (EMP) “Electric Bus”, an interactive traveling
exhibit which provides public outreach and education
by showcasing interactive music display units and
artifacts from the EMP. Our scope included vehicle
graphics, interior and exterior signage & graphics,
and a promotional banner system.
MUSEUM
PORT DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The ‘kid-powered’ museum in Baltimore offers three floors of interactive exhibits and
encourages individual and group problem solving through a variety of ‘minds-on, hands-on’
environments. Studio Wilks developed a comprehensive identity, graphics and signage program for
this 80,000 square foot facility. Our scope included the main identity, exhibit and donor graphics,
wayfinding and operational signage, directories, and sculptural amenities.
Studio Wilks is a full‐service design studio specializing in creating
signage and environmental graphics for libraries, theme parks,
museums, cultural centers, and entertainment projects.
Studio Wilks specializes in placemaking for large gathering
places of all kinds. We know what makes an entertaining and
engaging place and how important the role of signage, color,
graphics and identity are to visitor enjoyment and project success.
Our projects have included identity, branding, signage and
graphics for the Milpitas Public Library, Walnut Creek Library,
Mitchell Park Library & Community Center, the Cerritos Library,
US Open Tennis Center, museum projects including America I Am,
Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Museum of the Cherokee,
the Experience Music Project (EMP), and the Museum of Tolerance,
and more than 25 attractions, restaurants, retail and gallery projects
for Walt Disney Imagineering. We have also created experiences
for Nokia, Major League Soccer, the Basketball Hall of Fame
Travelling Exhibit, Upper Deck Authenticated, and a variety of other clients.
Studio Wilks’ work seamlessly merges entertainment, cultural and
educational projects into a cohesive vision. This was particularly
exemplified in the work we did for the Cerritos Library.
•
Studio Wilks believes libraries are a city’s community hub, which
need to contain clear programming that should be clearly, vibrantly
and expressively communicated.
•
We clearly communicate information in a unified and coherent
manner from every point of contact that a visitor comes into contact
with the space. We design signage and graphic systems that
provide library patrons with a clear, safe and organized way to
identify their environment, assist with the operational functions, and
provide positive & memorable experience.
•
We strike a balance between functionality and creativity.
Simply put: we deliver design solutions that are sophisticated,
simple, timeless, and elegant.
•
We are story‐tellers. Our graphics and signage take on a
narrative quality, unique to Studio Wilks.
•
We think about how to strategically position our clients projects
so that they can compete against other destination experiences.
d offers the community an opportunity to shop at some of the finest
retail outlets. Our scope included the design of 5 major identifying
icons, which we applied to signage, pavement patterns, steel cut
art pieces, and a variety of ornamental applications.
•
We create graphics and signage that capture the essence of our
client’s brands and bring a distinctly human touch to a highly
strategic process. We create value for our clients by finding the
humanity inherent in their projects. We distill that humanity into a
highly focused visual design language, which we ultimately use to
create an emotional bond between our client and their audience.
•
Below is a list of similar types of projects we have completed with
a short descrption:
Milpitas Public Library
Group 4 Architects hired us to design an identity and wayfinding
signage program that would help them unify the classical design of
an existing historic structure with the contemporary, dynamic forms
of their new building concept. We conceived a signage program
that not only informs the library patron but, also serves to
communicate the architect’s concept of transitioning from past to the future.
Walnut Creek Library
We designed a graphics and signage program with the primary
objective of integrating the natural park setting into the interior
library environment. Our solution combined stylized images of local
tree and plant life with contemporary graphics and signage
methods and materials to create an inspired sense of place within
the library context. In some cases, our signage solutions literally
transition from the exterior of the building into the interior.
Our scope of work included the primary identity, as well as the
wayfinding, code, and donor recognition signage.
Cerritos Library
We developed a comprehensive graphics and signage program
for this 88,000 square foot “experience library” of the future. Our
scope included the identity design, interior and exterior signage,
exhibit graphics and graphic amenities such as murals and glass
railings.
Cerritos Library – Children’s Library
Comprised of interactive elements and exhibit design, Studio Wilks
created a themed environment children’s library. The larger‐than‐life
“classic books” themed entry begins the children’s journey into an
exciting library environment. The library walls are interactive,
educational tools that lead to discussion about natural history,
the environment and exploration.
Cerritos Library ‐ 21st Century Sculpture Signage
The 21st Century marquee is created from light and shadow. Fiber
optic lighting interacts with uniquely designed metal shapes to
create each letterforms’ shadow. The shadows give the illusion of
three‐dimensional letterforms emerging from the wall. When the
fiber optic lighting rotates to the ”off“ position, the lettering disappears
and the metal shapes create their own unique ”language“.
Cerritos Library ‐ Craftsman Area Signage
The Cerritos Library is comprised of many themed environments
including the Children’s Library (designed to look like a tropical
rainforest), Old World, Art Deco, Craftsman area, and a futuristic
area called the 21st Century. The Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired sign
exemplifies the type of detail we put into each of our designs to
ensure the library patron feels completely immersed in each area’s theme.
Walt Disney Resorts
We began designing environmental graphics and signage for
Walt Disney Imagineering in 1991, the theme park division. Their
philosophy perfectly aligned with ours: Provide the guest with a
compelling, engaging, story‐rich experience they can relate to and
you will win their hearts and loyalty. Our 15+ year relationship
with Disney provided invaluable experience in the immersive world
of 3D storytelling. We have since applied our visual 2D and 3D
strategic story‐telling capabilities to the worlds of museums,
exhibitions, libraries, cultural institutions, restaurants and retail
environments.
Studio Wilks’ Design Process:
Research: First, seek to understand
When a project begins, we immerse ourselves in the thinking of the
team leadership, the mindset of the audience and the competitive
landscape. At times, we recommend market research appropriate
to the project’s scope.
Strategy: A fearless vision
Our Brand Vision process frames the story of the project in strategic
terms and brings it to life. It provides a foundation for us to blend
our creativity with ideas that are authentic to our clients’ endeavor.
Concept: Your idea… Revealed
With a firm strategic grounding, we discover the big ideas inherent
in every project. We present a range of ideas…and we find there
is usually one that sings. We refine that concept so our clients can
fully imagine their vision.