As part of the high-profile expansion of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla, Linespace was commissioned to design a holistic wayfinding and signage program that would match the museum’s contemporary architectural language and elevate the visitor experience. The goal was to create an elegant system that would serve a diverse public and harmonize with both indoor and outdoor environments.
Linespace’s signage design for MCASD is rooted in clarity, restraint, and material precision. A refined visual system was established to span the entire campus—guiding visitors through newly expanded galleries, gardens, terraces, and common spaces, with seamless transitions between interior and exterior signage. Using a palette of anodized bronze aluminum and matte finishes, the signs blend architectural subtlety with durability.
Typography throughout the system is clean, modern, and highly legible—selected for accessibility and clarity without drawing attention away from the museum experience. Complementary universal icons enhance accessibility and wayfinding efficiency for diverse audiences.
The signage program also included a tiered donor recognition strategy and gallery naming system. These elements were designed with the same refined materiality and typographic restraint, honoring philanthropic contributions while aligning with the museum’s architectural tone. Gallery identifiers named for key donors were subtly integrated into circulation paths, and a main donor wall provides high-visibility acknowledgment in a central location. The overall result is a cohesive, respectful signage language that supports both orientation and recognition without disrupting the contemplative atmosphere of the art-viewing experience.