The Morasko Campus signage, designed for the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, was awarded the international German Design Award 2025 in the Excellent Communications Design category.
The vision by the TUKEJ design group from Katowice was implemented at AMU in 2023. It is a comprehensive system designed for information, facilitating movement in the vast, 200-plus-hectare campus space. - "The Morasko Campus is home to up to 11 AMU, the Centre for Advanced Technology, the NanoBioMedical Centre, the Meteor Student Dormitory, the Archives and an extensive complex of AMU sports facilities, featuring a sports hall, swimming pool, stadium and tennis courts. There are also extensive green spaces, themed educational spaces, car parks and public transport infrastructure," says Anna Kuca-Szpytko, Head of the AMU Marketing Centre.
- "Due to the large surface area and the diversity and dispersion of the buildings, the project challenge was to adopt the right scale and proportions providing visibility of the signage while maintaining consistency," recalls Prof. Justyna Kucharczyk from the TUKEJ design group, and adds that the system considers the requirements of all user groups on campus - pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, as and occasional visitors or guests arriving on campus for the first time. The characteristic aesthetics of the entire system employ openwork elements, visually relieving the weight of stable metal structures, especially those of larger size: tall pylons describing the entrances to the buildings or welcoming signs placed near the main entrances to the campus. Every detail has been given careful attention. - "The light of the holes in the perforated sheet corresponds to the sizes needed for insect houses, thus ensuring basic permeability," explains Prof. Agnieszka Nawrocka of TUKEJ.
In addition to building markings and signs for drivers, the project also included the creation of campus maps, directional diagrams, educational boards and smaller information boards.
A great amount of care was given to elements that support accessibility. - " The design incorporated a typeface with high legibility, high contrasts and continuous lighting of critical media, including the provision of photovoltaics. Visibility is also supported by the colour scheme of the media: turquoise navy blue combined with intense green. The navy blue typical of the University's identity has been slightly modified to better harmonise with the surroundings and the background of the buildings," emphasises Prof. Justyna Kucharczyk. A characteristic element of the information system is a coherent set of pictograms and icons for objects, diagrams and maps, also characterised by exceptional design quality.
- "In addition to functional and aesthetic qualities, the information system design for the Morasko Campus also addresses issues related to maintenance and upkeep costs," points out Ms Anna Kuca-Szpytko. - " The design elements containing any content subject to change over time have been placed on panels, allowing them to be replaced without the need to dismantle the entire media," says the head of the AMU Marketing Centre.
The German Design Award is a prestigious prize presented by the German Design Council to recognise exceptional design achievements around the world. The competition's chapter is made up of an independent, international expert jury. It comprises representatives from industry, universities and design disciplines. The award sets global standards for innovative design solutions and competitiveness. The German Design Award aims to promote projects that are distinguished by innovation, functionality and aesthetics.
The TUKEJ (tukej.com) design group belongs to a small circle of studios specialising in the design of visual information systems. It deals with the issues both academically and in practice. It has many prestigious and award-winning realisations to its credit. The core of the TUKEJ design group consists of Prof. Justyna Kucharczyk and Prof. Agnieszka Nawrocka. Julianna Zych-Luty has also collaborated on the project, and the product designs were created by Joanna Pastusińska (the entire team is affiliated with the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice).
The awards ceremony for the German Design Award 2025 was held on 7 February.
photo by Anna Sielska
