Client: Naenae Primary School. Project: Way-finding system, design, signage.

The absolute enjoyment for a fresh way-finding project.

It was so rewarding to work with the school's Te Kohanga Te Ra Teachers who had already workshopped a concept for the room names (see supplied Whakamarama). They are part of the rumaki Māori/immersion programme which provides Te Reo Māori teaching and learning for students in Years 1-8. It was decided that the School would use Te Reo Māori on all room signage.

I created simple, organic appearing illustrations to help learners understand names. Using the school colour palette of blues and greens I was able to define water (wai) from plants & trees (tipu & rakau).

The result? 37 signs & a strong, fully inclusive identity for young learners.

Whakamārama

Like the growth of a tree, we aim to nurture the growth of our tamariki from the time they start to the time they finish. Like a seed, their whanau have chosen our school soils to plant and foster the growth of their child. Given the right tools and the aroha required, the seed starts to sprout, and spring out from the soil. As time passes, the buds of the plant start to appear, and then it starts its journey to its adult form. The growth of a seed to a tree can also represent the different stages that our students go through as they develop on their journey here at Naenae. We have taken this concept to rename our junior classes of our school. As our students learn more skills, and take on more knowledge, they become part of ‘Te Uru Rākau ā Tāne’, or the forest of Tane Mahuta.