Imperial War Museum, Duxford Signage & Wayfinding

Client

Imperial War Museum

Role

Signage & wayfinding, interpretation design, map design, print design

Location

Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK

Project

Imperial War Museum Duxford is a vast, multi-hangar visitor attraction, and the existing signage had grown piecemeal over time.

ABG Design was brought in to run a full signage audit, identifying gaps, duplicated messages, and key moments where visitors needed clearer direction. The audit showed a need for a whole-site signage and wayfinding refresh, plus mapping that could help people confidently explore more of Duxford.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: welcome signage and map signage

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: map signage

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: map and directions signpost with military aeroplane in background

Our approach

Using audit findings, we developed a new wayfinding strategy and a consistent signage design language. Visitor testing informed hierarchy, locations, and tone, ensuring signs worked for families, enthusiasts, and first-time visitors alike.

We also created a detailed 3D map design to make the scale of the site easy to grasp at a glance.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: wayfinding solutions consisting of signposts and map / direction pillar

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: interior signage on girder

Imperial War Museum, Duxford: signage showing events, site map, and directions with passing visitors in foreground

Solution

ABG Design delivered a site-wide wayfinding and signage scheme with clear welcome and orientation points, including modular totem signs that combine directions, distances, facilities, and interpretive content.

The new 3D visitor map was rolled out through on-site signage and supporting brochure design (map leaflet), giving visitors a seamless guide that helps them get the most out of their day at Duxford.