William Burgard: Ypsilanti Wayfinding Signs

Ypsilanti recently unveiled a series of new wayfinding signs featuring local icons designed by Stamps Lecturer William Burgard.

The project brought together the City of Ypsilanti, the Ypsilanti DDA and the Charter Township of Ypsilanti in a partnership joined by organizations like Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, the A2Y Chamber of Commerce and Washtenaw Community College.

Some of the signs point to community assets, businesses, or parking areas and are inscribed with ​“Ytown” or ​“Ypsi Real,” with colorful icons like Rosie the Riveter in a patriotic theme and a bright yellow Hudson Commodore.

There are now 18 wayfinding signs and 19 parking signs, featuring local icons designed by William Burgard to represent the community of 20,000 residents. Burgard is a lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and is a former director of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

New wayfinding signs in city, township are ​‘very Ypsilanti’ | MLive