Research on the design of campus sustainable development signage system based on intangible cultural heritage symbolsa case study of guangdong business and technology university

In the context of cultural confidence and the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Chinese universities are increasingly pursuing campus cultural branding, yet many existing wayfinding systems lack regional identity. This study aims to develop a sustainable signage strategy for Guangdong Business and Technology University by integrating local ICH symbols like Duan inkstone and Cantonese embroidery into an upgraded wayfinding system. Guided by semiotic theory, we propose a design framework that translates heritage elements through extraction, abstraction, and system-wide application, ensuring both functional navigation and place-based meaning. The framework was evaluated through a questionnaire survey of 250 students and visitors, comparing perceptions of the proposed design with the current system. Results indicate that the ICH-integrated design performs better across key outcomes, with cultural association improving by 91.1% and visual recognizability improving by 29.3%. These findings suggest that modernized semiotic translation of ICH symbols, combined with sustainable materials and fabrication considerations, can strengthen spatial guidance and cultural belonging, offering a practical and transferable approach for campus wayfinding upgrades.