Korean Imperial Palace Signage System

The Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation is a nonprofit organization that protects and preserves traditional Korean cultural heritage. From 2005 to 2007 2x4 partnered with the foundation to develop the comprehensive signage system for the Korean Imperial Palaces. Beginning with an extensive period of research on content and information delivery, we collaborated with the government’s cultural division, experts, and professors — including Ahn Sang-Soo, the foremost graphic designer in Korea. Working closely with the foundation, we then developed both physical design and graphic standards for the signage system.

Our design was implemented in five imperial palace sites in Seoul, starting with the largest palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung and later expanding to Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Jongmyo. Throughout, we worked closely with Ahn Graphics to implement various aspects of the design and signage. The signage system set a standard for national cultural sites and has been applied in important heritage and archeological sites across South Korea.