OVERSTREET MEMORIAL LIBRARY
A mock rebranding focused on experience design.
RESEARCH
WHO ARE WE?
The Overstreet Memorial Library is a library on Misawa Air Base, Japan. This library is only accessible to people who are able to enter the base, so military members and their families are the primary and target audience. This library doesn’t have a logo or branding of its own, but Air Force libraries themselves as a group have a logo.
GROUP LOGO
REDESIGNED LOGO
SITE VISIT
VISITOR INTERVIEWS:
Mrs. Carter is the mother of a young boy whom she takes to the library often. She appeared excite,d recalling their experiences at the library.
“We always have a great time at the story time sessions they have every week. They always have different events that are fun for all the kids.”
VISITOR PERSONAS:
The Rogers family just moved to Misawa Air Base. Immediately, they start to look for activities for their daughter to partake in and meet children her age. Due to the language barrier, the library is a very easily accessible option.
Mr. Oberschlake is a military member who doesn’t go too often to the library, but was able to recall their experience.
“I went to utilize the 3D printing services. The price is decent to use, but there is always confusion between the staff members and the customers on how to utilize the service.”
TSgt Chipp is motivated to make the next rank. He knows that he needs to complete some schooling to do so. He knows that the base library has access to CLEP and DSST study materials. There are also areas to study without distractions.
Mr. Mitchell is a military member who has utilized the library multiple times throughout living here.
“I’ve utilized the computers multiple times and often go to get study materials for CLEPS and DSSTs. I think those two reasons are how people utilize the library the most.”
A1C Smith is a brand-new Airman at her first base. Her items and household goods have not arrived yet. She requires access to a computer outside of work and needs to print documents to finish in-processing to her first unit.
LAYOUT RESEARCH
LIBRARY LAYOUT:
FLOW LAYOUT
PROCESS
COLOR PALETTE:
Using the Air Force Library logo as a basis, I wanted to continue the same color palette and Air Force inspired aesthetics, but add Japan inspired elements.
TYPEFACES:
Cocogoose, a geometric sans serif typeface, complements the technological and innovation elements that the Air Force presents, while Bahnschrift, a mechanical yet simple typeface, pairs nicely with this concept and idea.
IMAGERY:
Since children and families are the main part of the library visitors, I wanted to create a whole need identity for the children’s section. Inspired by the Tanuki, a raccoon dog native to Japan, I experimented with a mascot.
The Torii gate is an iconic and recognisable aspect of Japanese culture. It can be seen throughout Misawa Air Base. Additionally, the overall look of the Torii gate fits in the overall color palette I was striving for.
SKETCHES & DRAFTS -
LOGO DRAFTS:
Not only did I want to give the library a branding of its own, but I also wanted to improve the visitors’ experience from beginning to end. Reinventing and adding components such as kiosks, wayfinding signage, and printing kiosks’ interfaces, I wanted visitors to feel assisted every step of their visit.
PICTOGRAPH SKETCHES:
The MAKERSPACE area of the library is where the STEM activities, VR items, and 3D printing classes take place. Emphasizing the STEM events and capabilities of this section, I was inspired to showcase gears and wrenches - a fairly popular use of imagery. The dilemma was keeping a balance between organic and mechanical visuals.
FINAL DESIGNS -
LIBRARY LOGO:
CHILDREN’S MASCOT:
SORA, the tanuki inspired mascot is a pilot. Wearing an old school pilot helmet and steering his retro style plane, Sora flaunts the color palette of the Overstreet Memorial Library. The name “Sora”, meaning “sky” in Japanese, is also a nod to his love of the skies and being a pilot.
FRONT DESK KIOSK:
MAKERSPACE LOGO:
PRINTING KIOSK:
