Campus Signage Guidelines and Requests

Campus signage plays an essential role in creating a safe, welcoming, and navigable environment across the university. From wayfinding and building identification to temporary event lawn signs, signage helps students, faculty, staff, and visitors move confidently throughout campus.

All campus signage and graphics should align with Johns Hopkins University’s brand guidelines to ensure clarity, accessibility, and a cohesive campus experience. To support this goal, departments and project teams are asked to consult with University Communications on signage design, and with Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate (JHFRE) on placement, materials, and installation requirements.

Following these steps helps ensure that your signage meets university branding and accessibility standards, is appropriately located for visibility and safety, complies with campus planning, facilities, and permitting guidelines, and avoids duplication or unintended impacts to the campus environment.

Below you will find a link to the interior signage & graphics standards manual, guidance on signage options, the request process, and resources to help you plan and implement signage effectively.

Interior Signage & Graphics Standards Manual

The standards manual establishes universitywide standards for the design, placement, and implementation of interior wayfinding signage across the campuses. The manual outlines the approved sign types, branding requirements, accessibility requirements, and mounting specifications to promote consistency and usability.

JHU has contracted Takeform as its official interior signage vendor. All signage requests will be fulfilled through Takeform to ensure consistency with university standards. Project managers are to work directly with Takeform on all signage requests.

View Interior Signage Standards Manual

Signage & Graphics Options

There are several signage types to support operational, informational, event, and project needs. Not all signage types are appropriate for every location. JHFRE will help determine the most suitable option based on visibility, durability, and campus context. Common categories include:

Interior signage is signs located inside campus buildings. These signs help students, faculty, staff, and visitors navigate spaces efficiently. 

Examples Include: 

  • Room identification
  • Wayfinding
  • Life safety
  • Code-required

To request interior signage for new or updated wayfinding, life safety, room ID, or code-required signage, please follow the steps in the Interior Signage Request Guide.

To request interior signage for a new or existing project, please follow the steps in the Project Interior Signage Request Guide.

Exterior signage is signs located outside of campus buildings. These signs enhance visibility, improve navigation across campus, and foster a cohesive, recognizable university environment. 

Examples Include: 

  • Building identification (monument signs)
  • Directional signage
  • Campus wayfinding (located outdoors)

To request exterior signage for a building, please email Ryan Jordan at [email protected].  

Temporary signage is signs made for short-term use (no more than four weeks). They are typically used for events, construction projects, and time-sensitive communications. These signs provide clear, timely information while adhering to university guidelines for placement, safety, and visual consistency. 

Examples Include:

  • Vinyl banners
  • Event and wayfinding signage (lawn signs/pop-up banners/flags)
  • Construction wayfinding
  • Construction fence scrim (outside of Blue Zone)

To request construction wayfinding signage or construction fence banners for a project, please email Angela Martin at [email protected]. 

For guidance related to temporary signs and graphics, please refer to the Brand Guidelines. 

Placemaking graphics are permanent or semi-permanent installations that show our brand personality and bring school spirit into a space.  

Examples Include: 

  • Wall graphics
  • Banners
  • Murals
  • Elevator wraps
  • Complex two-dimensional designs

To request placemaking signage in your space, please email Anne Haskins at [email protected].  

For consultative guidance and design approval on placemaking within your unit’s space, please contact [email protected]. 

Where and when appropriate, Johns Hopkins University honors donor generosity through naming recognition (named spaces, donor walls, etc.) on its campuses.  

 For guidance related to any/all donor recognition signage, please contact the Office of Stewardship and Donor engagement via email at [email protected]. 

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