THE GINNINDERRY CONSERVATION TRUST

In-house Design Lead
1 Year, 2023-2024.

Context

The Ginninderry Conservation Corridor, a nature reserve in Canberra spanning 280 hectares of land, started building 10km of new walking tracks in 2024. A wayfinding system and accompanying signage were required to help bushwalkers navigate the network, and interpretive signage was needed to help share the stories of the unique landscape with its visitors. 

Project Management Responsibilities

  • Managing a $150,000 AUD project budget

  • Scope of works and project phasing 

  • Sourcing materials and labour quotes 

  • Budgeting and costing spreadsheets 

  • Liaising with suppliers and manufacturers

  • Supervising on-site installation of signage 

Design Role 

  • User research - collaboration with stakeholders such as ecologists, park rangers, indigenous land carers, and the local community to account for different needs and expectations. 

  • Human-centred approach to devising navigation system

  • Interpretive signage concept ideation 

  • Graphic design 

  • Illustration 

Peppermint Gum Illustration,
Procreate.

WAYFINDING SIGNAGE

DESIGN PROCESS & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Mapping, reconfiguring and getting feedback from rangers to make adjustments.

Designing for easy navigation

Construction maps were interpreted and reworked to determine logical track groupings and identify locations for signage installation.

This process was iterated to achieve a map that was suitable for land management teams whilst keeping community user groups in mind.

OUTCOMES

Primary Wayfinding Map Illustration

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign.
1.6m x 0.5m

Process

Satellite imagery of the landscape, topographic maps and housing development blueprints were used as references for the illustration to ensure geographical accuracy.

Context for Installation:
New panel to replace outdated one.

Trackside wayfinding

INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE

PROCESS

Collaborative Ideation

Continuous discussion with local Indigenous leaders and knowledge holders, ecologists and park rangers informed content ideation for signage.

User research

Survey responses from the local community were synthesised, and informed what format and type of information interpretive signage would include.

OUTCOMES

First Nations Plant Uses Interpretive Panel

Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign
850mm x 475mm

Panel to be mounted on a corten structure and installed alongside the walking tracks in the reserve.

Local Animals Interpretive Panels

Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign
850mm x 475mm

Local Animals Interpretive Panels

Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign
850mm x 475mm

Concept sketches for interactive signage aimed at children.

EMPLOYER TESTIMONIAL

“Natalie is a talented designer and project manager. She is creative, self-motivated, strong communicator and valued member of our team. The interpretation and wayfinding package she has delivered for our new walking track network is impressive and will be her legacy.

I would recommend Natalie for any project.”

Angela Calliess, Program Director of the Ginninderry Conservation Trust.