Design Tips for Effective Wayfinding Signage

You know when you’re at the airport, and you see those helpful signs telling you you’re approaching your gate? That’s wayfinding signage in action! Unlike advertising signs, wayfinding signage directs people from point to point until they reach their final destination.

Steps to Great Wayfinding Signage

Wayfinding signage points you in the right direction. There are several ways to create excellent wayfinding signage. Most importantly, you want to create an easy path for your customers. You don’t want people to just hope they’re getting closer to that giant yard sale; you want to lay it out as clearly as possible. Directional signs tell you where to go, for example, while confirmational signs assure you that you’re on the right path. (or that you’ve arrived!) Informational signs, on the other hand, inform you that your train is departing from platform “C”, or that you will be voting in line “2.” It’s important to consider design with this type of signage. You’ll want to create impactful signs that offer clear directions. Your sign will also need to stand out in its environment and be readable in different lighting conditions and weather.

Placement of Wayfinding Signs

Where you situate your signs is key to achieving maximum impact. You’ll want to consider the vantage point of the people reading your wayfinding signs, placing them at eye-level for pedestrians, and higher up for drivers. Examples of each include where the closest toilets are, and a “P” parking. Of course, signs also need to be highly visible. This is where features like back-lighting come into play, and the manner in which the text itself is illuminated. Wayfinding signage is also an ideal way to link different spaces to direct your customers. An example of this is a coat-check area, followed by signs that guide you to the space where the main event is unfolding. For all your signage needs, contact Martino Signs today.