John deWolf RGD

John deWolf RGD

Throughout his 30-year career, multi-disciplinary designer John deWolf has designed print, exhibitions, signage and wayfinding, brands, and interior environments. His many skills include designing accessible, inclusive communication systems, particularly for diverse audiences.  Design is not only physical and aesthetic, but also cognitive and experiential. Process, program, system, story, service, and experience are integral to Mr. deWolf's interdisciplinary approach. As a counterbalance to consumer culture, Mr. deWolf advocates sustainability, inclusivity, and social and community awareness.  John is driven by a desire to preserve culture and heritage, and develop public initiatives that benefit the community.

Identifies as He

Halifax, NS

Member since October 26, 2017

Principal @ Narrative Environments Studio

Skills

• Branding
• Exhibit Design
• Wayfinding
• Brand Strategy
• Design Management
• Education
• Strategy
• System Design

• Work
• Contributions

Yukon University Wayfinding Program

Yukon University Wayfinding Program

In 2020, the 14 campuses across the Yukon changed status from college to Canada's first university north of 60°. The institution was rebranded using the crocus—a symbol of resilience—as the core concept. A comprehensive interior and outdoor signage program was developed for all campuses, extending Vancouver's Will Creative brand.

Fort Needham Memorial Park Interpretive Program

Fort Needham Memorial Park Interpretive Program

The most significant challenge was balancing community objectives to improve the park's daily recreational functions while significantly enhancing Fort Needham's memorial importance, by incorporating elements of the Halifax Explosion narrative into the landscape to improve it as a destination for the city, province, and nation.

Old Town Lunenburg Wayfinding

Old Town Lunenburg Wayfinding

A living time capsule, the UNESCO World Heritage site has an abundant history dating back to Nova Scotia’s earliest days. As a means of not devaluing the town's historic fabric, a low-key contemporary wayfinding program contrasts with the heritage backdrop. Designed to take visitors from the waterfront to the town core, directional “spars” inform and direct.

I'm an RGD Member because...

“As a professional, I believe it is critical that I be a Member of those organizations that are champions for the industry in which I practice. Quite simply, we should support organizations that support us. Cost, value and perks are not part of the equation. My decision to join RGD is based on community and advocacy.”

Batoche National Historic Site Interpretive Program

Batoche National Historic Site Interpretive Program

This experiential design initiative aims to strengthen ties between the Canadian Government and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. Rather than imposing numerous and frequent insertions, we unite this expansive cultural landscape through the delicate placement of four conspicuous elements. Minimal intervention and a light footprint were key goals.

Red Bay Basque Whaling Station Brand and Wayfinding

Red Bay Basque Whaling Station Brand and Wayfinding

Red Bay is a small Labrador community with a surprising history: it was the site of a vast 16th-century proto-industrial Basque whaling operation. The place brand includes a logotype, brand manual, imagery, icons, and signage. The system also includes a signature element in the landscape, alluding to observation posts used by Basque sailors.

Colonial Building Interpretive Master Plan and Schematic Design

Colonial Building Interpretive Master Plan and Schematic Design

This 200+ page plan summarizes the interpretive approach and schematic design for the Colonial Building in St. John’s, Newfoundland, built on the 2015 Interpretive Framework. The report conveys the design intent for the Colonial Building's interpretive exhibits and visitor experience, providing a foundation for a detailed design process to follow.

My favourite RGD memory is..

“The first week I joined RGD, I was welcomed by the Executive Director and shortly thereafter by others. Encouraged to fill-in my profile, I did. Asked if would contribute a case study, I did. Invited to participate as a judge for the So(cial) Good Design Awards, I accepted. The more actively I engage, the more I get from this relationship.”

Wentworth Valley Trails Brand and Wayfinding

Wentworth Valley Trails Brand and Wayfinding

Multiple trail landowner stakeholders agreed that a cohesive identity system should unify Wentworth’s trail network. Using a ‘systems approach’ to the visual identity, the parent brand—Wentworth Valley Trails Association—allows for various permutations, one for each trail. The brand informs trailhead signage at each location.

Richard Avedon—Portraits of Power Exhibition Design and Brand

Richard Avedon—Portraits of Power Exhibition Design and Brand

Richard Avedon—America’s pre-eminent portraitist and fashion photographer—photographed significant figures in the American political landscape throughout his career, as exhibited in Portraits of Power. From the choice of typeface to the exhibit's design, Avedon's authoritative mastery of the medium and subject guided all decisions.

Annie Leibovitz and Tim Gunn Honorary Degree

Annie Leibovitz and Tim Gunn Honorary Degree

The honoris causa is an honorary degree conferred on individuals for their valuable contributions and achievements. As a testament to its distinguished honorees and long-established College of Art and Design, the Corcoran's degrees needed a makeover: letterpress in two colours with a blind emboss and hand-bound silk case.

The best part about the RGD is...

“From events, conferences, and the slack channel, I made strong and lasting relationships. I go to the slack channel, post a question, and have thoughtful and help responses almost immediately. I was introduced to countless individuals at events, resulting in virtual coffee-dates about every 6–8 weeks with a dozen people. RGD is about community.”

St. George’s Tennis Club Brand

St. George’s Tennis Club Brand

A local institution since 1885, the club ranks as one of the oldest in North America. Once featuring grass courts, clay courts, and hard courts, the club is known for its exceptional green clay surface. Pre-pandemic, the club underwent a significant website rebuild and visual identity revamp.

Seattle Sound Transit Wayfinding Program

Seattle Sound Transit Wayfinding Program

To help solve some of the nation's most congested traffic, the Central Puget Sound region initiated a 10-year plan for developing a transit network, Sound Transit. This plan covers 120 kilometres, 30 jurisdictions, and four transit lines. A challenge was multiple transportation providers who share or are adjacent to Sound Transit facilities.

Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Renewal Plan and Schematic Design

Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Renewal Plan and Schematic Design

The plan considers site visits, client workshops, and meetings with Pictou Landing First Nation to review, test, reaffirm, and improve concepts from an earlier report. The document defines exhibition design intent, renovation construction drawings, and capital budget to guide the Society’s funding and planning efforts.