About

Studio Semaphore is a leading Australian wayfinding and signage design consultancy. For over a decade, we have shaped navigation strategies for some of the country’s most demanding places, including airports, hospitals, universities, cultural precincts and the public realm.

Our Approach

We are wayfinding strategists and designers. We look beyond individual signs to build integrated systems and experiences that are intuitive, accessible and durable. From helping passengers board flights on time to guiding patients through complex healthcare environments, we prioritise spatial logic so people move through spaces with ease.

Grounded in site research and clear intent, we work alongside architects and project teams. In direct response to place, our systems are refined to meet technical standards and support day-to-day operations, ensuring every detail is considered and purposeful. 

From our studios in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, we work nationally to create enduring systems that evolve alongside the people and environments they serve.

Our Pillars

With Country

For thousands of years, Australia’s First Peoples have navigated Country with songlines and dreaming tracks. These oral maps, passed down through generations, demonstrate a profound relationship between movement, story and place. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We actively advocate for First Nations knowledge, culture and practices to be reflected in the environments we help shape.

Character and Context

Every project starts with the place itself. At the commencement of every project, we interrogate the architecture, the user journey and the operational reality of the site. By testing sightlines, scale, materials and fabrication, we ensure our systems respond to the distinct character of a place and are built to endure.

Equity and Inclusion

Navigating a complex environment should not be a test. We look beyond aesthetics to understand human behaviour and the user’s psychological experience. Through rigorous user testing, stakeholder engagement and inclusive design practices, we consider the diverse needs of everyone who uses the space. By centring accessibility and equity in our process, we create systems that reduce anxiety and bring genuine clarity to the built environment.

Sustainable Practice

We are committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our industry. We consider environmental impact early in the design process. From advocating for efficient fabrication and considered material choices to our ongoing support of Greening Australia, we actively embed sustainable practices across our studios and our projects.

People

Jess Caffin
Founder and Strategic Director

With over 20 years of industry experience, Jess is a wayfinding strategist and the co-founder of Studio Semaphore. She leads complex projects locally and internationally, developing clear navigation strategies and managing high-value delivery in collaboration with clients and project stakeholders. An active contributor to the broader design community, Jess has served as an AGDA awards judge and taught design studios at both Monash University and RMIT.

David Williamson
Founder and Design Director

David is the co-founder and design director of Studio Semaphore. Across a two-decade career, he has delivered wayfinding and experiential graphic design for the healthcare, workplace, education and cultural sectors. His work consistently sits at the intersection of typography, pattern and the physical realm. Alongside his practice, David has mentored fellow designers and taught at RMIT, Monash and Swinburne Universities.

Simon Wilson
Associate – Design Manager

Leading our Brisbane studio, Simon brings over 20 years of experience spanning the furniture, interior and wayfinding design disciplines. As associate design manager, he pairs an extensive technical skill set with a focus on physical craft, ensuring our architectural intent and project documentation are fully realised.

Chad Ward
Associate – Wayfinding Lead

Chad is Studio Semaphore’s wayfinding lead. With a decade of experience as a designer and strategist across leading architectural, wayfinding and design practices, Chad translates complex spatial and operational requirements into environments that are equitable, accessible and easy to navigate.

Recognition

Awards

2025

Merit – Wayfinding & Signage, AGDA Awards

2024

Finalist – Wayfinding, SEGD Global Design Awards

Merit – Wayfinding & Signage, AGDA Awards

Silver – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding & Signage, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

2023

Warrnambool Learning and Library Centre

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

2022

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Finalist – Graphics; Environmental Graphics, BEST Design Awards

Merit – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Merit – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

2021

Merit – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

2020

Merit – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Silver – Wayfinding, Melbourne Design Awards

Silver – Wayfinding, Melbourne Design Awards

2019

Finalist – Wayfinding, AGDA Awards

Careers

We are a practice that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds. While we do not currently have open positions, we always welcome portfolios from talented people who share our commitment to inclusive and considered design. To express your interest, please send your CV and portfolio (maximum 10MB) to studio@studiosemaphore.com.au