Sam Williams Studio was appointed designer and project manager for a placemaking project that creatively engages visitors to the northern stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path between Hunstanton & Snettisham. With a focus on nature recovery, the signs raise awareness of the special nature of each of the locations and how to best help protect the local wildlife.

The designs take direct inspiration from the visual assets of the awarding winning Norfolk Coast Protected Landscapes branding. A carefully selected material palette ensures the enhanced signage compliments the natural environment, whilst playful design features create moments of intrigue that draw passers-by in.

To serve the functional requirement of the interpretation boards; simple typeface, illustrations and legible maps have been used to convey the key messages. While the more abstracted elements inspired by the living landscape provide the design basis of form, scale, and mass. Local shingle in custom gabion bases is used to ballast the free-standing signs; layered sheets of recycled plastic, powder coated steel in the clients brand colours and corten steel.

This series of 7 enhanced interpretation signs can now be seen in the landscape, and we are delighted to have been recommissioned to work on a collaborative project with the Norfolk Coast Protected Landscapes team to design a package of interpretation design for the rest of the coastal path.