- Hope’s economic development and tourism agency, AdvantageHOPE reached out to Beacon, requesting new signage to enhance the primary tourist drivers in the region and encourage visitors to spend more time and money in the region. According to Hope Visitor Centre survey data, the Kettle Valley Railway and railway history are key tourist features attractions in the region; AdvantageHOPE wanted to draw more attention to them and provide tourists with updated, value-adding information.
SHARING HOPE, B.C.’S BEAUTY AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WITH BROADER AUDIENCES TO BOOST TOURISM FROM FURTHER AFIELD…
Copy writing
Copy editing
Design
Illustration
Content strategy
Branding
SHARING HOPE, B.C.’S BEAUTY AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WITH BROADER AUDIENCES TO BOOST TOURISM FROM FURTHER AFIELD…
Copy writing
Copy editing
Design
Illustration
Content strategy
Branding
- Hope’s economic development and tourism agency, AdvantageHOPE reached out to Beacon, requesting new signage to enhance the primary tourist drivers in the region and encourage visitors to spend more time and money in the region. According to Hope Visitor Centre survey data, the Kettle Valley Railway and railway history are key tourist features attractions in the region; AdvantageHOPE wanted to draw more attention to them and provide tourists with updated, value-adding information.
The problem
While Hope and area features a significant amount of tourism features, many of them are not well known or easy to find for visitors to the area. Clear and attractive signage with engaging, easy to navigate information was needed to boost Hope’s tourism profile and encourage travellers to make Hope a destination rather than just a place to refuel.
Our solution
Enhanced signage
Kettle Valley Railway
We carried out comprehensive research on which to base signage information, and structured and wrote condensed copy for audiences of varying levels of interest and knowledge.
In addition, we developed a signature style for the historic signage to complement the District’s existing signage guidelines, and created a breadcrumb (an image of the pillar with the locomotive emblem on it, as seen in the sign’s footer), to alert viewers that they are on the KVR trail whenever they encounter the pillars around town.
The problem
While Hope and area features a significant amount of tourism features, many of them are not well known or easy to find for visitors to the area. Clear and attractive signage with engaging, easy to navigate information was needed to boost Hope’s tourism profile and encourage travellers to make Hope a destination rather than just a place to refuel.
Our solution
Enhanced signage
Kettle Valley Railway
We carried out comprehensive research on which to base signage information, and structured and wrote condensed copy for audiences of varying levels of interest and knowledge.
In addition, we developed a signature style for the historic signage to complement the District’s existing signage guidelines, and created a breadcrumb (an image of the pillar with the locomotive emblem on it, as seen in the sign’s footer), to alert viewers that they are on the KVR trail whenever they encounter the pillars around town.
Coquihalla Summit recreational area
Combining information about seasonal activities from a wide range of sources, using activities icons, we identified difficulty levels, hazards, regulations, amenities, and directions.
The goal was to ensure that users could feel confident about participating in diverse outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing.
Hope bike and skate parks
To update branding and signage at these two popular local parks, Beacon created signage and maps of the parks that provides highly digestible information around park use and safety, while appealing to the primary users of the parks: youth.
that users could feel confident about participating in diverse outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing.
We used the custom illustrations of figures from each of the parks to develop a badge style logo for each park.
ORIGINAL EMBLEM
NEW EMBLEMS
SIGNAGE
We created an illustrated map of the bike park to help users identify the run locations and their difficulty, named a handful of the runs (e.g. the Logzilla run, for which we created an illustrated Godzilla-style character using log imagery, and First Blood, for which we illustrated a tyke in full Rambo gear (based on the Hope’s claim to fame that Rambo was filmed in the town).
We wrapped the waste bins in the park with brightly coloured anti-graffiti laminate abstracts from the run map, and we created a “hang loose” sign out of Logzilla’s illustrated hand which we hid on the backs of the bins.
Coquihalla Summit recreational area
Combining information about seasonal activities from a wide range of sources, using activities icons, we identified difficulty levels, hazards, regulations, amenities, and directions.
The goal was to ensure that users could feel confident about participating in diverse outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing.
Hope bike and skate parks
To update branding and signage at these two popular local parks, Beacon created signage and maps of the parks that provides highly digestible information around park use and safety, while appealing to the primary users of the parks: youth.
that users could feel confident about participating in diverse outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing.
We used the custom illustrations of figures from each of the parks to develop a badge style logo for each park.
ORIGINAL EMBLEM
NEW EMBLEMS
SIGNAGE
We created an illustrated map of the bike park to help users identify the run locations and their difficulty, named a handful of the runs (e.g. the Logzilla run, for which we created an illustrated Godzilla-style character using log imagery, and First Blood, for which we illustrated a tyke in full Rambo gear (based on the Hope’s claim to fame that Rambo was filmed in the town).
We wrapped the waste bins in the park with brightly coloured anti-graffiti laminate abstracts from the run map, and we created a “hang loose” sign out of Logzilla’s illustrated hand which we hid on the backs of the bins.
We wrapped the waste bins in the park with brightly coloured anti-graffiti laminate abstracts from the run map, and we created a “hang loose” sign out of Logzilla’s illustrated hand which we hid on the backs of the bins.
The payoff
Leveraging the success of the signage that Beacon wrote, illustrated and designed, AdvantageHOPE received a $375,000 grant to continue with a second phase of project development.
The ask
AdvantageHope wanted to create a master list of trails and recreation areas for potential development. The master plan document would need to be easy to navigate, structured to meet the specific and technical needs of land managers and tenure holders, and comprehensive and accurate in all facets of information featured.
The problem
There is an abundance of popular but unsanctioned trails in the Hope area that, without buy-in from land managers and development from the municipality, remain underused and unavailable for tourist use.
Our solution
A master trail plan
Drawing from information provided by AdvantageHOPE, Beacon strategized the structure of the document to feature modular content for each trail/recreational area, allowing for users to easily and quickly find information and compare each area based on a set of criteria most important to resource development.
To accompany this criteria, we created icons and value scales to measure aspects like cost, accessibility, and so on, making evaluation and comparison of the trails/recreation areas quick and easy.
To address challenges created by complex maps, we devised a plan to mark the trail on each map and pull the trail shape out into the section header to help users more easily identify the trail’s location on the map.
The payoff
Leveraging the success of the signage that Beacon wrote, illustrated and designed, AdvantageHOPE received a $375,000 grant to continue with a second phase of project development.
The ask
AdvantageHope wanted to create a master list of trails and recreation areas for potential development. The master plan document would need to be easy to navigate, structured to meet the specific and technical needs of land managers and tenure holders, and comprehensive and accurate in all facets of information featured.
The problem
There is an abundance of popular but unsanctioned trails in the Hope area that, without buy-in from land managers and development from the municipality, remain underused and unavailable for tourist use.
Our solution
A master trail plan
Drawing from information provided by AdvantageHOPE, Beacon strategized the structure of the document to feature modular content for each trail/recreational area, allowing for users to easily and quickly find information and compare each area based on a set of criteria most important to resource development.
To accompany this criteria, we created icons and value scales to measure aspects like cost, accessibility, and so on, making evaluation and comparison of the trails/recreation areas quick and easy.
To address challenges created by complex maps, we devised a plan to mark the trail on each map and pull the trail shape out into the section header to help users more easily identify the trail’s location on the map.
The payoff
The District of Hope adopted this plan for official use. The plan now informs land-use planning and annual budgets, and has contributed to:
- A budget line item for an annual trail maintenance crew, with year-on-year increased funding
- Significant progress on 10 of the project sections highlighted in the plan (of 20 overall) since publication
- Approximately $400,000 invested in plan goals
The payoff
As a result of our work, WFP’s membership has increased, donations have grown, and the organization has gained significantly more recognition and clout. The client can also use the same training materials year after year, meaning this gift keeps on giving.
Want in?
To increase your organization’s visibility, maximize engagement with your target audiences, and feature visually stunning, informative, and user-friendly assets, contact Beacon today.
Want in?
To increase your organization’s visibility, maximize engagement with your target audiences, and feature visually stunning, informative, and user-friendly assets, contact Beacon today.
Credits
Art Direction & Project Management
Dani Vachon
Design
Dani Vachon (lead)
Illustration
Carlie Russelle
Copy Editing
Matt Turner
Credits
Art Direction & Project Management
Dani Vachon
Design
Dani Vachon (lead)
Illustration
Carlie Russelle
Copy Editing
Matt Turner
Credits
Art Direction & Project Management
Dani Vachon
Design
Dani Vachon(lead)
Illustration
Carlie Russelle
Copy Editing
Matt Turner