Aerial view of Old Main building at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville featuring iconic twin clock towers, red brick Second Empire architecture, and fall foliage with Ozark Mountains in background

Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas Buildings

Three Campus Destinations, Unified Through a Singular Vision

Project type

In Progress Wayfinding Signage Design

Project sector

Education Design
Rendering of University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District dimensional letter wall sign with tree shadow pattern, native grasses, and students walking past on campus in Fayetteville

Project info

Client University of Arkansas

Architect AMR Architects

Architect Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

Architect Hufft Architects

Turning corridors into pathways of discovery that mirror the energy and identity of the University of Arkansas

RSM Design has been actively shaping the campus experience at the University of Arkansas through a series of thoughtfully executed projects across the HYPER building, the School of Art, and the Graduate Education building. In each space, RSM Design’s signage and graphics go beyond wayfinding—they create moments of engagement that inspire students, faculty, and visitors alike. By carefully considering circulation, spatial context, and user needs, the team develops solutions that support accessibility, enhance clarity, and strengthen community connection. Each project reflects the unique character and purpose of its building while maintaining a cohesive visual language that unites the university’s diverse academic environments. Through this work, RSM Design ensures that every corridor, entry, and common area contributes to a campus experience that is both intuitive and meaningful.

Rendering of University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District dark wayfinding bollard directing students to Anthony Timberlands Center, Library Annex, Sculpture Studio, and School of Art among native grasses and trees
Close-up rendering of University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District charcoal wayfinding bollard with white directional text guiding visitors to Anthony Timberlands Center, Library Annex, Sculpture Studio, and School of Art

Windgate Arts and Design District

RSM Design created a comprehensive wayfinding and donor recognition system for the Windgate Arts and Design District, uniting clarity, identity, and creativity across the expanding arts district. The system integrates exterior and interior signage to guide students, faculty, and visitors, while seamlessly honoring donors through a refined visual language that complements the school’s mission. Using tactile materials, clean typography, and minimal detailing, the signage was designed to harmonize with the architecture and landscape, resulting in a cohesive environment that not only orients but also celebrates the Windgate Arts and Design District as a place of innovation, expression, and community.

Close-up of ADA-compliant Media Arts room identification sign with Braille text on brushed aluminum panel at University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District
Rendering of Helm Family Windgate Gallery donor recognition sign with gold dimensional letters on light textured wall, student with backpack standing near entrance at University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District

Graduate School of Education

RSM Design created a comprehensive interior wayfinding system for the Graduate Education building, ensuring navigation is clear and intuitive for all users. To complement the functional signage, the team introduced specialty graphics along the hallway walls, adding color and artistry that energize the environment. These visual elements transform the corridors into engaging spaces that spark creativity, foster connection, and reinforce the building’s identity as a hub for learning and collaboration.

Students walking past bold abstract interior wall mural featuring stacked rounded rectangle forms in terracotta, teal, olive, and gold at University of Arkansas Windgate Arts and Design District
Wayfinding sign on a wood-paneled wall in the Graduate Education Building, Floor 2. A mounted TV screen is centered on the panel. Below it, directional arrows point left to the Nursing Mothers Room and Elevator, and right to the Department of Education Reform.

University Recreation + Wellness Building

RSM Design developed a signage system for the University Recreation + Wellness Building that highlights large-scale identity elements seamlessly integrated into textured walls, creating bold focal points that anchor the building’s presence. Inside, signage within the fitness amenity areas was designed with clarity and energy in mind, guiding users through the space while enhancing the overall experience. The combination of striking identity signage and purposeful wayfinding creates an environment that supports movement, wellness, and community throughout the building.

Architectural rendering of the exterior entrance to the Health Physical Education Recreation Building. The modern facade features dark panels, a two-story glass curtain wall entry, and multiple glass doors. Several people walk toward and around the entrance on a brick plaza. Bike racks are visible to the left, and trees and a stone retaining wall are seen on the right.
Architectural rendering of the UREC (University Recreation + Wellness) welcome desk. A curved reception counter sits in front of a bold red textured accent wall displaying the "UREC University Recreation + Wellness" logo. A staff member stands behind the desk assisting a visitor, while another person walks through a turnstile entry gate in the foreground. The space features polished floors and a wood-paneled ceiling.
Close-up of a large-scale "UREC" branded accent wall featuring bold crimson letters layered over a ribbed gray panel surface, creating a dimensional striped effect. A wood-slat ceiling and polished floor are visible at the edges of the frame.
Architectural rendering of a lounge seating area in front of a dramatic dark feature wall. The wall displays large dimensional lettering formed by a grid of backlit rectangular panels, with a sweeping red graphic element resembling a heartbeat or athletic motion line overlaid across it. Three black lounge chairs and two small tables are arranged along the wall. A person sits reading on the left. The ceiling features warm wood slats with recessed lighting.
Close-up detail of a dimensional wall installation featuring a grid of small rectangular panels in white, red, and dark tones mounted on a dark gray surface. A bold red sweeping graphic element cuts diagonally across the panels, casting shadows and creating depth. The composition forms part of a larger typographic or abstract design.
Architectural rendering of a lounge seating area in front of a floor-to-ceiling wood slat feature wall with the "UREC" logo carved or routed into the vertical planks, visible through subtle depth and shadow. A bold red sweeping graphic element, resembling a heartbeat or motion line, arcs across the wall. Three black lounge chairs and two small tables are arranged in front of the wall. A wood-slat ceiling with recessed lighting continues the warm material palette above.

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