Marywood University, Scranton, PA

Marywood University, a Catholic liberal arts university of 2,800 students in Scranton, PA, has a campus with direct access to one of the busiest highways in Pennsylvania. They approached IDS with the requirements of a large illuminated landmark to replace a smaller sign on site. Marywood University requested they review how the sign would appear during the day and evening to be assured it would be easily seen from the highway. The sign itself had to be high quality and bold to ensure it would be easily observed by drivers.

IDS created a number of visual approaches within a few days. The result of this effort was the decision to present the client with a modular strategy for building a large three-level illuminated landmark. This would allow the sign to change over time as the University needed updates and additions.

IDS started the project by presenting examples of strong illuminated landmarks and a survey of campus architecture. Based on an initial review with the client, IDS created a quick sketch on-site delineating a two-layer modular landmark and placed it within a site montage. With permission to proceed, IDS created a final day and night visualization profiling the modular approach. This was later incorporated into the final fabricated sign with one of the two layers completed and installed.