Two Twelve Works with the YMCA

Over the past 150 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has built a network of 24 locations serving nearly half a million people in neighborhoods across the 5 boroughs. Two Twelve is thrilled to be partnering with the YMCA to develop a comprehensive, adaptable wayfinding and signage system that will unify the experience at every branch. 

As New Yorkers, we recognize the invaluable resources and opportunities the YMCA provides. We believe that wayfinding and environmental graphics can improve the visitor experience, making hundreds of thousands of New York residents feel welcomed, empowered, and connected. 

The diversity in architecture and amenities across these 24 buildings presents a unique challenge, and our design team is currently engaged in an in-depth analysis and strategy phase. To inform the development of that wayfinding strategy, and ultimately our design process, Two Twelve’s creative team is conducting an audit of each branch of the YMCA and gathering user feedback. 

In addition to noting building conditions and services offered, our creative team is speaking with leadership at each location to note the challenges they face on a daily basis. To supplement the qualitative data these conversations provide, Two Twelve has developed questionnaires for both staff and members to gather quantitative feedback on key issues. Taken together, this information will inform our approach and provide a metric for measuring the success of our system once implemented. 

Over the next several months, we will use this information to develop designs that enhance the user experience and consider the unique architecture. We aim to create a cohesive, consistent wayfinding program that reflects the organization’s values, highlights each branch’s local character, and integrates with specific architectural conditions. 

We believe that creating welcoming environments will strengthen community. With a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, the new wayfinding program will be ADA-compliant and will communicate with a multilingual audience.  New signage will simplify the information presented, allowing users to self-navigate with confidence. 

Our wayfinding program will also streamline the implementation and maintenance process for staff, empowering the YMCA to roll out the signage system to individual branches and update as needed. Adaptable designs, rooted in a strategy that responds directly to the needs and feedback of every branch, will remain relevant and effective for years to come. 

To support the YMCA’s newest branches in the Bronx—opening Fall 2020—and to test the efficacy of our system, Two Twelve will support the YMCA in implementing the signage system at designated test sites. This initial implementation will allow us to evaluate the success of the system by comparing both ease of navigation and user experience to information collected at the outset of the project.

To learn more about the programs offered by the YMCA of Greater New York, you can visit their website.