Overview:

 Kenyon College approached Woodshed Creative to help celebrate their Bicentennial reunion weekend with a variety of custom signage solutions. The goal was to create a memorable and visually impactful experience for attendees while providing practical, reusable signage for future events. Our team delivered a range of indoor and outdoor signage that transformed the campus and enhanced the celebration.

Challenges:

Kenyon needed a diverse set of signage solutions that would be both functional and visually appealing for their Bicentennial reunion weekend. Key challenges included creating various types of indoor and outdoor signage to guide and engage attendees while ensuring all pieces were produced on-time and in-budget.

Solutions:

Woodshed provided a comprehensive signage solution for Kenyon’s Bicentennial. Our team collaborated closely with the college’s graphic design, communication, building & grounds, alumni engagement, and fundraising teams to develop solutions that would transform the campus environment and create memorable experiences for attendees.

Execution:

The execution of the project involved meticulous planning and attention to detail to ensure all signage met Kenyon College's high standards. A variety of indoor and outdoor signage was developed to transform the campus into a multimedia experience for all visitors. Deliverables included:

• Illuminated LED Sign: A large, mobile sign, complete with custom brand colors and runway-worthy illumination.

• Building Graphics: Larger-than-life banners were produced to hang on the faces of prominent and historical campus buildings.

• Timeline Panels: A set of 50 large-scale outdoor signs attached to light poles along the campus walkways, creating an engaging historical journey for attendees.

• Indoor Signage: A variety of double-sided freestanding fabric banners, retractable rollup banners, and SEG wall-mounted graphics were produced to enhance the interior spaces and guide attendees throughout the event.

• Misc. Outdoor Signage: Small-format outdoor signage, enabled with QR codes for an interactive touch.

A “Kenyon 200” illuminated logo sign served as a centerpiece on Middle Path. The twelve-foot-wide sign was carefully designed and constructed in two parts for easy handling. Boasting a custom paint job in the school’s signature brand purple and printed sign faces, the sign lit up the quad at night. A pair of custom road cases fabricated for storage and safe transport transformed the sign by elevating it to eye level and making the logo nearly five feet tall; the cases were custom-skirted with fabric for a polished look.

Four grand-format building banners measuring over 30-feet tall were produced and hung on two of the college’s most prominent historical buildings, transforming the exterior and welcoming visitors.

50 unique “timeline'“ panels were constructed from an aluminum-composite material. Each printed panel (measuring five feet tall) highlighted key events from the college’s two-century history. Installed onto existing light poles along the mile-long central pathway through campus, the panels led visitors on a historical journey.

Several indoor signage solutions including several double-sided freestanding fabric banner walls and retractable vinyl banners were produced. These items were both functional and visually engaging, enhancing the event's atmosphere.

A 30-foot-wide SEG fabric wall graphic brought the history of the prestigious college to life in the lobby of the busy dining hall. A frame was custom-fabricated from brushed aluminum, finishing off the easily-replacable print.

Lastly, a collection of small-format outdoor signs were printed with a unique QR code to lead visitors on an interactive scavenger hunt to win branded swag.

All items were developed, fabricated, printed, and delivered in time for the school’s Bicentennial celebration during thier annual Reunion Weekend.

Impact:

The signage solutions provided by Woodshed Creative significantly enhanced the Bicentennial reunion weekend at Kenyon College. Several pieces became focal points of the event, drawing attention and admiration from attendees, facilitated smooth navigation, and added to the celebratory atmosphere. The pieces transformed the campus, creating a visually cohesive and engaging experience for everyone present.

Kenyon College’s “Our Path Forward to the Bicentennial” six-year fundraising campaign was the most successful in the school’s history, raising over $532 Million — more than all other campaigns combined.

For more information, visit kenyon.edu/bicentennial.