What are Wayfinding Signs?
Trying to find your way through a maze of hallways at a hospital or roadways at a large condominium complex can create frustration and anxiety. When you are trying to get somewhere, getting lost can lead to missed appointments, late arrivals and confusion.
Wayfinding Signs offer a simple solution to keep your customers, patients and attendees lost in all types of facilities. Facilities such schools, hospitals, hotels, large venues, office buildings and large parks can all benefit from effective Wayfinding Signs. Public Transportation facilities such as bus stations, airports and train stations benefit from clear Wayfinding signage. Even Event Facilities need proper signage to get attendees into and out of venues easily.
There are four different types of signs used for Wayfinding. These are:
- Identification
- Directional
- Regulatory
- Informational
Each sign type has a specific purpose and usefulness in helping users get to where they need to be. These signs create a feeling of well-being, safety and security by allowing users to have a clear picture of how to get to where they want to be.
Identification Signs
These signs get you to the appropriate floor, building, or parking area. Monument signs, Building Letters, Parking Lot Signs, Park Entry Signs are some examples of Identification Signs. These signs should be easy to read while driving or easy to view from a decent walking distance to allow users to find their way.
Monument signs are an excellent choice for exterior Identification signs for Universities, Hospitals, and Large Office Parks. These can identify a specific building, medical practice or place of business, or can be general address designators letting users know they are in the right general location. Cut acrylic or Metal, Formed Plastic, or Cast Metal Letters are commonly used for building identifiers.
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Directional Signs
Once you’ve arrived at your main destination, it is important to know where to park, what building a particular business or department is in, or even how to get to your campsite. Directional signs provide this by moving foot and vehicle traffic along the pathway of were they are going. Simple color coordinated features or other markings can help differentiate buildings, hallways or even types of medical groups.
Directional signs can include Interior and Exterior Building Directories, Overhead directional signs, parking lot directional arrows, entrance signs and more.
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Informational Signs
Once you have arrived at your destination, informational signs provide details that are important to your enjoyment or use of a facility. Informational signs provide specific information such as historical markers, restroom locations, parking costs, or where to go to register or check in. These signs are important to ensure the comfort and ease of access for users.
Informational Signs can include Directional signs with arrows pointing you to the right direction. Pool Hours, sign-in requirements and evacuation maps are other types of informational signs.
Office Directory
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs provide specific details on parking access, exit/entry points, whether or not animals or smoking are allowed and more. Park Rules signs are an important example of a regulatory sign. They let users know the hours of operation for a specific park, what they can and cannot do and for who the facility is for. Regulatory signs create a safe environment for everyone using the facility.
ADA Signs are important example of Informational signs required in all public buildings. These signs include Brailed and regulation sized raised lettering to allow all users, even those with disabilities to find their way. Regulatory Signs can be as simple as a handicapped parking sign and as elaborate as a detailed park Rules sign.
ADA Signs
Looking or a Design Agency to help you create an effective Wayfinding Plan for your facility? We can help. Have a plan and need sign fabrication and installation? We are the experts at implementing your designs and sign products. Need to update an existing Wayfinding Design or Signs? We can help you get the most current information in place and maintain your Wayfinding Systems.
Ann Durso, CEO of Express Sign & Graphics, Inc. has been working in the sign industry since 2000. Her experience includes all facets of sign design, manufacturing and installation. In addition, Ann previously owned Advanced Accounting & Administrative Solutions which provided small business owners with assistance in all areas of their business including; accounting, administration, marketing and organization.[/author_info] [/author]
