News.

RSM Design has deep roots in San Clemente, California. The studio started here 20 years ago and while expanding to larger markets in Dallas and Los Angeles, the San Clemente studio has remained the headquarters of the company. In this long history, we’ve played a part in shaping how San Clemente looks, from designing favorite local bars and restaurants to signage at the historic Casa Romantica, and even the branding and wayfinding design for the city itself.

So when Pier Pride, a local non-profit group dedicated to helping preserve the iconic San Clemente pier, approached us to help them secure funding to maintain, protect, and enhance the pier, it was a volunteer opportunity we couldn’t pass up.

The pier, originally constructed in 1928, is the southernmost pier in Orange County and plays host to tourists and locals alike. People gather on and around the pier to watch surfers catching waves below, to grab some food and drink at the Fisherman’s Restaurant, or to enjoy the spectacular sunsets. As such an iconic centerpiece for the city, it is important to ensure that the conditions in the surrounding area are not only user-friendly and exciting, but also safe.

The objective of RSM Design’s volunteer work was to help the Pier Pride group secure funding from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to make improvements that would not only enhance the visitor experience, but also provide safe pier access and railroad crossing. We focused on a few main areas: the tunnel and approach to the pier, the railroad crossing, and the pier itself.

“RSM approached our pro bono project as if we were a paying client and they’ve generously expanded and extended the project to a year long effort. The entire team contributed to a vision for the future of our landmark local pier, creating a framework for short-term development and long-term goals that stayed true to our mission. Without their help, our community would not have understood the need to support our preservation efforts.” – Julia Darden, Darden Lentz

Response from the community and OCTA has been very favorable and RSM Design is continuing to work with Pier Pride on this worthwhile effort.

Oxigeno is more than a space, a destination, or a brand; it’s a lifestyle. The first human playground on the planet, it is a unique and interactive space that integrates community, entertainment, sports, gastronomy, shopping, and outdoor green spaces. Aspiring to cultivate stimulating communal spaces and experiences, Oxigeno truly is a playground for the senses. Created for the people, by the people, it transcends the physical environment to become an innovative and educational tool that captures the spirit of Costa Rica as well as the community which it serves.

The 200,000-plus square meter “human playground” will include 200 solar panels, and utilize a rainwater collection and irrigation system for its park featuring 200 types of native trees. In addition to leased commercial sites, the project envisions an “integrated, organic, and vibrant community that allows its visitors to experience a peaceful lifestyle, far from hectic daily routines, and fosters a connection with nature that is part of being Costa Rican and which is under threat by humanity today.”
–Manuel Zuñiga, Cuestamoras Board President

RSM Design developed a holistic wayfinding strategy that not only reflects the brand but creates a unique sense of place. Along with unique signage applications, RSM Design also created distinctive and fun specialty graphics and architectural enhancements that help to define the different districts within the project.

Earlier this month, Oxigeno won “Best Mixed-Use Project in Latin America” in the Latin American Real Estate Development Awards (LADI), held in Panama City. The awards recognize distinguished projects across the world who lead by example in the fields of architecture and development. The project is scheduled to open in mid-2018.

Client: Cuestamoras
Architect: Jerde Partnership

Authenticity of a story told using history, art, and cultural perspectives creates an emotional experience that has the power to transform communities by creating impressionable moments that engage and inspire.  

Many communities continue to embark upon a renaissance of arts and culture as an investment and asset for growth. We continue to see a resurgence of cultural districts paving a path for revitalization and civic pride. Museums, concert halls or public parks, all provide a curated experience that is unique to the narrative of each place. These biographies of place create a personal voice for each neighborhood to be heard.

The marriage of art and architecture through environmental graphic design aims to create tangible canvases that complement the curation within these cultural centers and public spaces. At RSM Design we engage the place by creating complementary wayfinding and environmental graphics systems that allow cultural centers to shine while providing guests subtle prompts that compel them to seek, and explore more.

RSM Design collaborates with clients, architects, and users to engage the guest  by layering the canvas with art, interpretive graphics, recognition, and history. We would like to share a few select projects that the RSM Design team is currently involved with that embody the importance of layering environmental graphic design into the guest experience.

Located along the picturesque coast of San Diego, Balboa Park reigns as one of the largest cultural parks in the United States.  An oasis in the city, and host to over 14,000,000 visitors per year, the park’s attractions include 1,200 acres featuring 15 museums, 19 gardens, 9 performing arts groups, and a host of other park amenities.

The Botanical Building within the park is one of the most visited destinations, due to its striking historic architecture and beautiful gardens. RSM Design has joined the team to create a subtle family of signage to recognize the donors, educate the public about the plants, and help identify the gardens. Using a mix of natural materials and weathered accents, the signage helps guide visitors into and around the building and complements the historic architecture and natural beauty of the gardens.

The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance is relocating and nearly quadrupling in size. With a broader focus on human rights struggles from around the world, the new 50,000 square foot location will be able to support the high demand for both events and visitors looking to learn and experience pivotal cornerstones of our history through human rights and documented experiences featured in the museum’s collections.

“The new museum will be unique among the nation’s 21 Holocaust-related museums. In addition to a clear focus on the Holocaust, it will feature new exhibit galleries on human rights and American ideals. It will also feature modern, immersive and interactive content and technology along with an original boxcar used by the Nazis during the Holocaust to transport Jews and others. It will include a 250-seat theater, new classrooms, an expanded library and archive, modern technology throughout, additional staffing, and a special reflection and memorial area for visitors.”

RSM Design was brought to the team to create a system of interior and exterior identity signage, visitor wayfinding, donor recognition, and interpretive signage.

The environmental graphic design concepts take an integrated and minimal approach to museum wayfinding– interior signage becomes a refined and subtle accent to the museum environment. The materials balance dark warm metals with contrasting bright white and brushed silver to complement the interior architectural finishes. A high level of sensitivity was needed to create a functional and logical graphics solution.

Featuring interviews of survivors and stories of human strength amidst a world of adversity, the museum seeks to inspire tolerance, through building a foundation of hope. For more information about the museum click the link here.