Are you Safe here?
2024 Massey University collaberative project
Design Response
The outcome of our project is a sign that can subtly heighten public awareness about the current tsunami risk zone that they are standing in, and plan their evacuation route before they need it.
Our project in the seaside city of Wellington aims to subtly heighten public awareness about the tsunami risk zones that residents and visitors might find themselves in. Wellington, known for its stunning waterfront and vibrant city life, is also at risk of a tsunami due to its coastal location and numerous faultlines. We have developed visually engaging signs strategically placed along main streets and public areas to address this. This project aims to encourage people to plan for a tsunami before it happens. The sign is shaped like a location marker, to make those walking by the main streets think twice about where they are in relation to the tsunami evacuation zones.
The sign features a clear, concise message about tsunami safety and a QR code. We have all got used to seeing map markers online, and this proposed signage system takes that visual language into real life as an engaging, playful, but instantly recognisable symbol. The QR code, when scanned, directs the public to an intuitive app that provides real-time information about their exact location within the tsunami risk zone. The app can offer evacuation routes, safety tips, and updates on potential threats. By integrating technology with traditional signage, this approach ensures that people are continuously and subconsciously reminded of their tsunami zone.
