Navigating unfamiliar buildings or large sites gets tricky for visitors without proper wayfinding signs. Yet, not all signage achieves helpful orientation.
Poor location choices, information overloads, and eye-catching fails mean your custom signs contribute to confusion rather than traffic flow.
Let’s review 5 common wayfinding signage mistakes and simple fixes to steer people in the right direction!
5 Common Mistakes in Wayfinding Signage
Visitors who visit hospitals, theme parks, transport hubs, or expansive company headquarters need legible assisted navigation between sections.
Wayfinding sign systems ease this user journey through visible informational or directional markers. But often, good intentions meet poor execution.
Before picking pretty fonts or color schemes, prioritize practical placement and messaging strategies. Follow universal wayfinding principles, and your custom signs intuitively zone in the destination for users.
Mistake #1: Cluttered Content
Infobombing signs with many sections, long lists of offerings, or tiny text leaves users more baffled.
The Fix
Streamline details to critical identifiers or directional arrows. Use bigger text size for quicker visual parsing from a distance.
Mistake #2: Poor Placement
Mounting signs along the floor, high ceiling corners, crowded walls or hiding them behind doors guarantees low visibility.
The Fix
Digital signs Australia place signs in the natural field of vision during user approach and entry points. Frequent reinforcement along the path prevents past pointers from fading from memory.
Mistake #3: Poor Placement and Visibility
A sign you cannot notice is as good as no sign. Signs placed too high, below the required height, or obscured by obstacles become useless.
The Fix
The signs should be at eye level and straightly visible. Keep track of their visibility and ensure no new constructions or decorations are blocking them regularly.
Mistake #4: Neglecting Different User Needs
One size does not fit all for wayfinding. It is a common oversight to ignore the diverse needs of users, especially in terms of usability. For instance, blind visitors are excluded through signs not featuring Braille or tactile elements.
The Fix
Design with inclusivity in mind. Use Braille, large print, high-contrast colors, and pictograms to reach more people.
Mistake #5: Failing to Update and Maintain
Times change, and you should change your signs, too. Old or worn-out signs mislead and bring a bad image to your establishment. A sign in a refurbished medical center fit-out may lead the visitors into a non-existent room.
The Fix
Make sure to review your signage regularly and update it. Be vigilant for any changes in your environment that could affect the correctness and relevance of your signs.
Conclusion
Successful wayfinding signage is more than simply showing directions. It is a part of the visitor’s experience. It is important to avoid these common mistakes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your space significantly. Brandboy can handle everything from retail shop fitouts, office refurbishment services, or commercial fitouts. Brandboy specializes in developing signage solutions that are clear, consistent, and user-friendly. Allow us to make your space a pleasant one while simultaneously, easy to navigate.
Comments