The Effective Use Of Wayfinding Signs

Wayfinding signs are a convenient and easy to understand for of sign that are designed to provide direction and ensure a steady flow of foot traffic around a building, premise, or location. There are many different design options with this type of sign and there are a similarly diverse range of applications for which they can be used.

When creating the design for wayfinding signs you should consider a number of factors, such as whether they will be used indoors or outdoors, whether they will be easily visible, and also whether they effectively convey the message that you want them to. Using wayfinding signs effectively can benefit you as well as visitors to your business or premises.

What Are Wayfinding Signs?

Wayfinding signs; http://www.is-group.co.uk/About-Us/Types-of-Signs/Wayfinding-Signs - are a group of signs that are used in many locales and destinations in order to provide simple and clear directions. They are often seen at the side of roads but also on footpaths, in town and city centres, and in various commercial locations as well as sites of interest. They not only benefit visitors to a site but also the site owner.

Typically, these signs use particular colours depending on the type of destination they are directing people to. Road signs, for example, may use blue to denote public services, brown for points of interest, and white for town centre directions. When you are attempting to manage the flow of traffic through your own premises or site, however, you can choose the colours that you want to use but you should ensure uniformity because this helps people recognise the purpose of the signs.

Wayfinding Sign Applications

There are many ways that these signs can be used and in many different locations. Shopping centres are a good example of how they can be used to ensure that foot traffic finds its way around all of the most important shops and other areas and if you have visited a zoo or even a tourist town or village you will have seen arrows pointing to various locations.

If you have a commercial property or even an office you too can use wayfinding to help direct traffic. Your visitors will not become frustrated by getting lost and they will not need to ask directions from your members of staff. Furthermore, you will be able to ensure that they walk past or to the most important areas.

Design Options

Consider where and how the signs will be used. Those that are being placed outdoors will have very different demands to those used indoors. Metal, plastic, and wood are among the most common material choices when it comes to creating good looking and effective signs.

You will also need to choose the colour and shape of the sign, as well as the font and text that is to be displayed. Some signs can benefit from the use of images but these should be simple and clear because overly complex images that are difficult to see and recognise can cause confusion rather than avoid it.

Using Wayfinding Signs For Your Business

While it is common to see wayfinding signs directing around towns and streets they can be used in many other areas too. If you have a lot of rooms within your business premises, or you have an outdoor venue then this type of sign can be especially beneficial for you and your visitors.

Plan the flow of traffic before you add signs. If all of your signs point to a single location you will experience congestion in this area and may find that other areas are completely free of visitors. Also plan the wording, images, and design of the signs so that you can employ some uniformity between all of your signs.

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Make An Impact With Monolith Signs

Monolith signs are large and free standing signs that are usually placed outside a location or business in order to display information about that business. They can be used to convey a brief marketing message and are often used to show prices outside venues like petrol stations.

There are many options to consider when designing monolith signs including whether or not they should be illuminated, and also what shape to use for the construction. While there is no one specific answer to these questions there are factors to consider that will help ensure that you made the right choice.

What Are Monolith Signs?

Monolith signs are, as their name suggests, monolithic. They are tall and free standing and they can have a huge impact on those that see them. The size and the fact that they stand out so well means that monolith signs can be very effective.

Such signs are usually found outdoors and while they normally tower above smaller buildings, it is possible to have more compact signs designed. These smaller monolith signs can be a very effective form of branding and they can be used to indicate a particular location or site.

Usage And Applications

There are many instances where monolith signs are regularly used. Big supermarkets will usually utilise them in order to let people know that they are there and these may also include some details about what is actually found in the store along with the branding and tag line for that particular chain of shops.

Petrol stations also like the use of monolith signs and as well as offering the name and design of the company they use signs that can be updated and changed daily to show the prices of petrol at the time.

Size And Design

Monolith signs are usually large by their very definition, however this isn’t always the case and smaller signs can be highly effective as a means of advertising a smaller site. They can even be used to give direction and to indicate certain areas within a particular location.

The shape of the monolith sign is important. Two sided signs are only visible from two directions whereas three sided designs that have curved surfaces can essentially be seen from anywhere. Use colours that stand out and a design and logo that are memorable and you will enjoy the best results from displaying your monolith signs- http://www.is-group.co.uk/About-Us/Types-of-Signs/Monolith-Totem-Signs

Illuminated Signs

One of the big considerations when deploying your own monolith signs is whether they should be illuminated or not. Lighting can either be placed behind the display, inside the sign, or it can be placed on the ground so that it shines up and at the sign content.

Considering how early it goes dark during the winter months and how late it stays dark, lighting signs should be considered important. The signs will not be any use if they are not lit up during the darker hours and if your business or organisation stays open late or opens its doors early then this becomes even more important.

Monolith Signs For Your Business

You can include a large amount of information on monolith signs but they are typically used to catch the attention of drivers from a distance away. This means that the use of a single large image, or two smaller images will normally have the greatest impact and the best results.

Too much information on a single monolith sign means that the sign will need to be prohibitively large or the content so small that it cannot be viewed except from up close. Try to find the right balance between displaying information and ensuring the sign is useful.

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Main Purpose of Monolith Signs

Monolith signs are tall sign structures that are most commonly used outside commercial premises as a means of advertising and attracting attention. The size and striking design, as well as the fact that the signs are usually freestanding, means that they are easy to spot both from the road and the pavement.

When designing and choosing monolith signs there are a number of decisions you will need to make including where the sign will be placed, the material, shape, and design. You should also determine whether you want the sign to be lit or not with most monolith signs offering greater benefit if they are lit.

Marketing and Advertising a Business

The primary purpose of monolith signs is as a means of advertising a business from outside the property. It is possible to include details of your organisation and you can even include contact details and some information on the products and services that you sell.

These big signs are especially beneficial because they can be seen from a long distance. They are usually curved so that they can be seen from a wider angle and they are lit so that they can be seen at all times of day and throughout the year, even in the winter months when it goes dark in the late afternoon.

Providing Information

The size of a monolith sign means that it can be used to include and share a large amount of information with those that will see the sign. Basic information that is usually added includes company name and slogan but it is possible to add much more than this basic level of information.

The size of the structure means that, like petrol stations, you can add prices of your most popular products. Alternatively, like supermarkets and other large chains, you can add details of products that you sell and any offers that you might be running. Be aware, however, that you will not usually be able to update all of the information so don’t add time critical details.

Material and Design

Monolith signs; http://www.is-group.co.uk/About-Us/Types-of-Signs/Monolith-Totem-Signs - are usually made from reinforced metal. This will withstand wind and rain and it is treated so that it will resist graffiti, or at least be easy to clean if you do suffer from graffiti attacks and vandalism.

It is possible to have totem signs, as they are also called, designed and manufactured in other materials. Reinforced plastic is sturdy and long lasting, easy to clean, and can be created in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and designs.

Colour and Lighting

The colour of the sign is usually dictated by the design that is being printed on it and according to the branding of the business that is having it printed. However, as a general rule, dark colours may be difficult to spot unless they use lighter colours as a means of identifying them.

Monolith signs are meant as an impactful form of sign and this means that they really need to stand out and make an impression. Using a lit sign can help ensure that the sign is seen from further away on dark days and at night. Considering it can go dark in the afternoon during the winter months, lit signs are usually considered more beneficial.

How Monolith Signs are Used

We see monolith signs all around us. Petrol stations regularly use them not only to indicate that they are there but also to give details of the current petrol prices that they are charging. Supermarkets, cinemas, and large commercial buildings also deploy the signs as a means to help people locate the premises and also to help market and advertise the services and products on offer.

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Monolith Signs Offers the Cost Effective Idea

Monolith signs are one of the most eye-catching pieces of signage equipment, which is why they are often used at site entrances or for directional reasons. They are usually free standing signs, of a fairly significant size, and shape wise they tend to be tall and slim. This type of sign has been designed so that it can be viewed from all angles and still deliver its message, which is why these signs are such a great, versatile product that comes in useful in such a wide range of different settings, whether temporary or permanent.

This type of sign is meant to have an impact, which is why it has such a commanding height and is constructed to be able to withstand weather conditions if placed outside. It comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from curved to straightforward rectangular, and can be single or double sided, depending on where it is likely to be positioned. If the sign is likely to be placed up against a wall or hedge then single sided is a better use of resources, but if it is going to be used in the middle of a larger area, a double sided sign is ideal because it can be viewed by people walking towards it in both directions.

Monolith signs http://www.is-group.co.uk/About-Us/Types-of-Signs/Monolith-Totem-Signs are usually constructed from some sort of mild steel, which is used to make the internal structure that provides support to the frame. The frame casing is usually aluminium or stainless steel. Using these types of materials to make the sign ensures that it will be robust and hardwearing, so that it is long lasting enough to justify the outlay invested in it and making it resilient to weather conditions if it is likely to be placed outside.

This type of sign has many advantages and one of them is that it is very simple to install – it can be put up and start working in a very short period of time, making it very versatile for situations where last minute signage is needed. Typically, monoliths have two main installation methods: larger moonlights tend to use the cage installation method, where a trench is dug in the ground and the cage is concreted into a block with rods exposed for the monolith to be bolted onto. Alternatively, smaller signs will usually have posts that extend below its base and these can simply be pushed into two holes dug in the ground.

Monoliths are useful during both daytime and nighttime hours and can be illuminated to make sure that they still show up after dark. Fluorescent tubes have traditionally been the main way to illuminate this type of sign, but it is also possible to do this with LEDs. Whilst the initial cost of using LEDs tends to be higher, this is often offset by the fact that a sign with LEDs will use less electricity than a sign made with fluorescent tubes.

For businesses looking to have a branding presence in a public place, monolith signs offer the idea way to do it. They are cost effective, versatile and continue spreading the marketing message both day and night.

To find previous post about bespoke signs, please visit by click here

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Bespoke Signs: going the extra mile for your brand identity

Looking around any urban environment, bespoke signs are a commonplace sight. There are used for many purposes, from wayfinding to customer information. It’s not unusual for bespoke signs to be used in these settings, but what sets a good sign apart from a great one?

Whether your project requires interior wayfinding signs or dramatic monolith signs to increase footfall, the thing that makes a difference in bespoke signs’ quality is its design. Although signage may only make up a small percentage of your building or advertising project (often only 0.1% of the total budget), getting the right sign for the job is of the utmost importance. This is where bespoke signs can come into their own, purely by the merit of their design. There are plenty of signage organisations out there who would be happy to receive that percentage of your budget to make your sign, but only the best will do, who are willing and able to work with you at every stage of your project to ensure your bespoke signs really look great.

Even before you start, your ideal signage company should have a track record of providing a wide range of fantastic bespoke signs, for a multitude of purposes. This means that they will have experienced sign engineers, who know the range of materials available for your new project, and to what purpose those materials can be put. But such knowledge is not enough to give you the best possible product; they also need great creativity to be able to work with you to incorporate the best design into your bespoke signs.

At this stage, bespoke sign making is all about communication and vision. How do you envisage your sign to look? Will it feature your brand logo? What impact do you want your sign to make? What branding publications are already in circulations, which have a timeless aesthetic, that you want to include in the design of your bespoke signs?

From here, it is a question of working with your signage company’s designers to come up with an amalgamation of all these elements, all the while listening to the advice that they give. Remember that they know the signage business better than you. Although you may have some ideas in your head what the finished sign might look like, remain flexible to go with their suggestions if need be. Bespoke signs are only truly bespoke if they feature elements of originality and flair—these characteristics will set your bespoke signs apart from the crowd, and draw visitors to enjoy viewing it.

Other things to consider beyond the materials is the illumination and other features that the sign company may offer advice on. With today’s modern technology, the sky’s the limit in terms of what great lighting may add to your bespoke signs. From LEDs which give long-lasting effective illumination at low cost, to the installation of touch screen displays to make your signs truly interactive. There are many possibilities that can give your bespoke signs the edge over the competition.

But what is the effect of investing in bespoke signs? Without doubt, it is going to be more expensive to erect an illuminated, lazer-etched, brushed aluminium, beautiful monolith sign, rather than just perhaps getting an engraved plaque or wooden sign. The investment betrays a great deal of subliminal information about your institution. By choosing to sweat the details of great signage, and go the extra mile, indicates the extent that you care about your individual customers or visitors. You are concerned about their levels of comfort, their ability to find their way in your business park or campus: essentially, their quality of life is important to you.

In addition, it shows a level of confidence in your brand identity and your organisation as a whole. Your eye-catching bespoke signs should be built to last for years, which means your company is going to last as well. For potential customers, this means that they can trust your organisation, and to make purchase agreements with confidence. If you believe and invest in your bespoke signs, you certainly believe in your personnel and your products or services. Find out more information about bespoke signs 

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What Wayfinding Sign is right for your business?

There are an overwhelming number of different types of signs in use in Great Britain today. One of the key types of signs that are post popular is ‘Wayfinding signs’. These wayfinding signs are typically found on most street corners and help point the way to pedestrians and members of the public.

Other types of signs include Interpretation Signs, Heritage Signs as well as Monolith Signs, to name a few. This means you need to discover which one will be best suited to the purpose you need it for. Let’s take a look at what these signs are primarily used for, how best to use them and more importantly will they be effective in conveying the image or information you want to display.

What are Wayfinding signs?

Wayfinding signs are aptly named as they exist to help you find your way. They can come in many different shapes and sizes and depending on what, how and where you are directing people, can be displayed in a number of formats. There’s nothing more frustrating than unclear signage, which creates confusion and misguided information amongst members of the public.

In a small to medium sized office it’s hardly worth using a map, in a large corporate building then that would be recommended. These wayfinding signs can come in recyclable materials with a variety of colours and textures from wood to aluminium or even Perspex.  Matching the colours and design of the wayfinding sign with the objective of fulfilling the signs objective, will help you finds the most cost effective, appropriate and functional sign to use.

How to ensure that Wayfinding Signage stays for many years

The key to any type of wayfinding signs is to ensure that they are ‘weather proof’ when used outdoors. Often signs are designed to be built to last, but over a few years they deteriorate. Problems such as acid rain and general wear and tear can damage or even ruin the information that the sign displays. This will represent your organisation or area poorly and create unclear communication to the public. When making wayfinding signs it is important to make sure that you go through a reputable company who can guarantee a strong, long-lasting product with a portfolio to back it up.

Other types of signs

Display information on a product, sight or place can be done through the use of heritage or interpretation signs. Most commonly found at historic sights and museums, interpretation signs are designed to be weatherproof and provide lots of clear and concise information that is usually contrasted against graphical representations of historic buildings or places.

Shopping centre signs are also on the increase with the rise of large commercial shopping parks. Clearly displayed on the outside and inside the building, a wayfinding sign can really make life much more easy for consumers. For this sign to be completely effective in creating a positive image, the logo itself needs to be produced to an extremely high standard and where possible, the fonts should be displayed at the right size and resolution.

A well designed logo will make a large difference to the finish and appeal of any wayfinding shopping centre sign. A good signage company will be able to add a quality finish and display the logo effectively without increasing the cost of the sign. Commonly a metal is used such as aluminium for clarity of the colours and edges whilst keeping the signs durability intact. However, many other signs are still produced using other materials such as oak or cedar to create a more rustic and natural wayfinding sign.

This is only a brief overview to the world of wayfinding signage. I have worked in the UK for a long time creating signs for a variety of organisations and it has taken me years to grasp the full impact that wayfinding signs can have on the general public. I have scorned the bad and appreciated the great which has made me admire and appreciate the impact that a quality sign can have on a place, building and even on a location.

If you’re looking to buy wayfinding signs for your business then be sure to find the correct signage manufacture and designer who can fulfil their promise to meet your exact requirements. Feel free to leave a question in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to help you out.
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