City of Revelstoke
The City of Revelstoke is located near the southeastern edge of British Columbia among the rugged Selkirk Mountains on the way to Banff, Alberta. Over five million motorists travel the corridor every year and the highway provides easy access west to Vancouver and east to Calgary. A strategic signage and wayfinding program is key to encouraging these passing travelers to stop and explore more of what Revelstoke has to offer.
Whether downhill skiing, mountain biking, hiking, or white water rafting, outdoor adventure is everywhere. The design of the signage family took inspiration from Revelstoke’s natural surroundings, from rough material choices, to the colour palette, and silhouette of the Mount Begbie, iconic aspect of Revelstoke’s visual identity.
Cygnus spent multiple days in Revelstoke getting to know the community. We performed stakeholder workshops as well as gathered feedback from an online survey, developing a deeper understanding of the community’s values, priorities, and sense of place.
Preserving Revelstoke’s heritage is a priority for residents, and this included the iconic directional signs. Cygnus reused the bases and posts from the existing signs, promoting sustainable practices while maintaining the look and feel that locals and visitors are used to.
Heritage meets modern design sensibilities with the large, illuminated letters of the gateway sign. Inspired by a historical photograph of the city, the new Revelstoke brand highlights the city’s heritage and roots. Cygnus utilized this branding on a larger scale, creating a prominent gateway sign that reflects Revelstoke’s values.
