Where The Buffalo Roam

Nestled in the sweeping expanse of the Midwest, the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is a rare and remarkable landscape. Once covering over 170 million acres across North America, tallgrass prairies now make up less than 4% of their historic range. The preserve protects one of the last great pieces of this ecosystem, offering visitors a chance to see undulating fields of bluestem, wildflowers, and the wildlife that depends on these grasslands. Herds of bison roam freely, birds soar across the open skies, and seasonal changes paint the prairie in ever-shifting palettes of golds, greens, and russets.

My concept for a new visitor center sign embraces the timeless visual language of national park design. This style – often referred to as the classic national park aesthetic – balances informality with authority, guiding visitors in a way that feels both welcoming and enduring. Inspired by the rustic signage traditions of the National Park Service, the design features simple geometric forms, a muted earth-tone color palette, and clear typography that is easy to read at a distance. The lettering is set against wood-grain textures and subtle metal detailing, evoking a sense of permanence and harmony with the landscape.

Concept Sign Tallgrass Prairie ©2025 Eric Wells Hatheway

The sign is designed to capture the essence of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Its silhouette echoes the rolling prairie horizon, while its graphic elements feature stylized grasses and a distant bison for immediate recognition. The layout prioritizes wayfinding and storytelling: visitors will instantly know they’ve arrived at a special, protected place, and the sign invites them to step further into the ecosystem to explore its trails, vistas, and history.

By using a visual approach that aligns with the classic national park look, the design ensures an immediate connection with a sightseeing public that already recognizes and trusts this visual language. The goal is to honor the prairie’s legacy while welcoming visitors into a landscape that feels both timeless and alive.