Directional wayfinding signage is a medium of visual communication that helps people to efficiently navigate through a place. Colour texts symbols and pictures are used in a way to optimise the clarity of communication. Wayfinding/directional signage encourages and empowers people to find their way around a place independently.
This type of signage finds it’s usage in:
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Educational and financial institutions
- Tourist places
- Roads
- Restaurants and bars
- Shopping malls, retail outlets, and car dealerships
Directional wayfinding signage is not necessarily an advertisement, but it can play an important role in projecting a positive image for the company or institution.
Directional wayfinding signage is classified into four types: Identification, Informational, Directional, and Regulatory.
Directional Wayfinding Signage: Identification
It is the most common directional wayfinding signage. It informs people of their arrival at their desired location within a building. They are generally simple and uncluttered for easy interpretation.
Some examples of identification directional wayfinding signage include:
- Door plaques indicating the name of the office/department, such as customer service, accounting etc.
- Signs that point out a landmark, such as a historical marker, donor plaque.
Directional Wayfinding Signage: Informational
Informational directional wayfinding signage is generally placed in lobbies, waiting rooms, and entrances for visual access to maximum number of people. It uses symbols language and art forms that are universally understood.
Information wayfinding/directional signage are used to highlight:
- Location of restrooms
- Business hours
- Address of the building
- Directions of elevators and stairwells
- Access to WiFi
- Cafeterias, Coffee shops
Directional Wayfinding Signage: Directional
Directional wayfinding signage assists people in reaching their destination easily and effectively. They are normally put up at crossroads or at places with more than one intersectional paths in a building. Directional Wayfinding signage almost acts like an invisible tour guide helping people reach their destination.
Some examples of effective directional wayfinding signs:
- Plaques on the wall at each intersection indicating directions to places
- A company directory indicating location of offices on different floors
- Physical spacing markers
- Color lines on the floor indicating directions.
Directional Wayfinding Signage: Regulatory
Regulatory wayfinding signage is a big bold no-frill signage that reinforces the safety and privacy rules of the concerned place. It also sets clear boundaries of acceptable and non acceptable forms of behaviour.
Some examples of regulatory directional wayfinding signage are:
- No pets, No smoking signage.
- Caution! High volts!
- Only employees or Do not enter, indicating access control.
ALTIUS Graphics is an acknowledged Wayfinding signage design firm that undertakes designing, manufacturing, and installation of all kinds of signages including directional wayfinding signage.
