Ohio City, one of Cleveland’s oldest neighborhoods, sought to enhance its visitor experience and reinforce its evolving identity as a vibrant, walkable community. With the neighborhood’s bicentennial approaching, Ohio City Inc. engaged Guide Studio to develop a comprehensive wayfinding program that would integrate their newly established brand into the physical environment while improving navigation for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Guide Studio collaborated with Cleveland-based ASI Signage to design and implement a distinctive wayfinding system under a tight budget and timeline, leveraging Tax Increment Funding (TIF) to bring the project to life within eight months. The signage design creatively balanced aesthetics and cost efficiency, incorporating unique shapes, panel layering, and paint techniques that reflected the Ohio City brand without requiring expensive materials or complex fabrication. Inspired by the neighborhood’s iconic flag, the decorative backing reinforced brand recognition and added a sense of place to the district.
The wayfinding program complemented Ohio City Inc.’s broader revitalization efforts, including storefront renovation programs and streetscape improvements along West 25th Street. Installing pedestrian maps and vehicular signage significantly improved walkability and accessibility, guiding visitors to key destinations and parking areas. As a result, foot traffic increased, and vacant storefronts began filling up within a year of project completion. While wayfinding was just one component of the neighborhood’s transformation, it was critical in shaping a welcoming and navigable environment that encouraged exploration and investment.
By overcoming budgetary and time constraints, Guide Studio demonstrated how strategic wayfinding can be functional and engaging. The Ohio City wayfinding program became a model for purposeful signage that enhances community identity, improves the visitor experience, and fosters economic growth—proving that well-executed wayfinding is a powerful tool for neighborhood development.
