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.
Author: Andrew Durbin, Follow us on Google+
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