Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Shared Lobby and Departmental Graphics

the story

A shared second‑floor hub within MIT’s E18/E19 complex brings together four distinct student‑focused user groups, including Global Education and Career Development, the International Students Office, the Writing and Communication Center, and Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication. As part of SLAM’s 2016 renovation of multiple floors within the E17/E18 facility, a series of large‑scale custom graphics were developed to support wayfinding, reinforce academic mission, and establish clear identities for each group while creating a cohesive visual experience across shared lobby and circulation spaces.

at-a-glance

SERVICES:

Experiential Graphic Design

LOCATION:

Cambridge, MA

STATUS:

Completed 2016

The shared lobby serves as the primary point of convergence for all four user groups. Large‑scale custom graphics establish a common visual language, providing continuity across the space while accommodating diverse departmental missions.

Custom corridor graphics extend from the shared lobby, using scale and composition to distinguish individual user group areas while maintaining a cohesive overall system.

Corridor graphics for the Writing and Communication Center and Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication emphasize language, composition, and structure, establishing a focused academic identity as users move from the shared lobby into departmental space.

A bold graphic composition marks the corridor leading to Global Education and Career Development, using color, scale, and typography to clearly identify the department and support intuitive wayfinding from the shared lobby.

Custom wall graphics developed for the International Students Office reception area use multilingual “Welcome” text and composed geometry.

Together, these elements support departmental identity and reinforce a clear sense of arrival.

Together, the graphic installations create a cohesive system that supports multiple independent user groups within a shared academic setting. Integrated into the architecture, the work balances clarity, identity, and wayfinding while reinforcing a consistent experience across the renovated floor.