What are Wayfinding Signs? An Introduction to Directional Sign Making
Wayfinding signs, or directional signs (the two terms are interchangeable) are used to help point people in the right direction. Literally. Wayfinding signs can come in a variety of forms, but their entire purpose is to make the process of navigating new, confusing, and/or large spaces markedly easier.
Think back, if you can, to a time when you were lost within a business. Most of us have probably been in this position before: You’re navigating a new space, somewhere particularly large like a warehouse or an airport. You’ve been told where you need to go within the building, but you’re not quite sure how to get there. This is the precise issue that wayfinding signs are used to counteract. Wayfinding signs can save you the trouble of having to audibly explain directions to each client or patron. Rather, they help your clients move through your space in a far clearer manner.
Wayfinding signs can be used in a multitude of places, however, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered them in certain contexts. Some popular locations for wayfinding signs are:
- Shopping Centers/Malls
- Office Buildings/Hallways
- Housing Developments
- Arenas and Stadiums
- Retail Stores
- Hospitals
- Airports
- Warehouses
- And More
Even though wayfinding signs are more popular in certain contexts, they’re typically an asset no matter where they’re placed. Anything that answers questions and makes direction-finding easier is going to be positively received.
How Element 4 Signs & Graphics Customizes Directional Signs To Reflect Your Business’ Personality
Directional signs can take on many different forms and appearances. They can appear as traditional signage, posted on walls or overhead spaces, indicating where you should go next. Often these signs utilize arrows and other universal symbols as a way to clearly mark directions. Sometimes, the best policy when it comes to directional signs is to make them as basic and straightforward as possible. As a result, it’s important to always verify that your signage is accurate, visible, and easy to read. The last thing you ever want is for your directional signage to yield more confusion.
With that in mind, just because directional signs are made to be straightforward, doesn’t mean clients can’t play around with customization. For instance, let’s say you are at a college campus, a place where directional signage is bound to be found in droves. You’re here to watch a football game, but it’s your first time on campus and so far, you’ve only managed to find the student union. After entering the building, you locate a staff member who informs you to follow the floor decals, as they will lead you across campus to your destination, the stadium. You instantly notice that the floor decals are actually pawprints. Why? Because the school’s mascot is a panther, and pawprints are a way to interject personality into directional signage. This is one of many examples, showcasing how directional signs can be customized.
The Types of Directional Signage our Charlotte Sign Company Offers
At Element 4 Signs & Graphics, we have the tools to bring all types of visions to life using signs. Moreover, we can put these signs in a variety of places including walls, floors, and other surfaces. With a full inventory of materials to choose from, your signs can be crafted using a certain material and then cropped down to the proper size. We use a multitude of different tools and approaches to ensure each sign is crafted to your exact standards. Obviously, this also applies to all of the floor graphics and decals we install.
Because businesses rely on directional signs to help keep their clients informed, it is paramount that these signs are built to endure and last. As with all of our materials, we source high-grade varieties to ensure they withstand the test of time and will not be impacted by erosion or in the case of floor decals, foot traffic. Our directional signs are well-made and can even be reinforced using certain methods to ensure stability and durability.
If your search for business signs near me has led you to Element 4 Signs & Graphics, we are happy to take on your project. Whether your idea for signage is strictly decorative or has a very cut-and-dry purpose, like directional signage, we’re here to ensure it comes to fruition.
