Wayfinding Signage Systems

Wayfinding signs play crucial roles in the interactive experience of your physical space. They provide visual cues at key decision points. For example, when someone arrives at an office building, how do they know which entrance to use or floor to visit for a specific business? There are four key types of wayfinding signs

Identification Signs

Identification signs tell you that you have arrived at your destination. These signs are crucial for confirming that visitors are in the right place

Directional Signs

Directional signage helps your customers navigate your building by pointing them to a specific destination. Specific areas like restrooms, emergency exits, or different departments should be easy to find.

Informational Signs

Informational signs should be posted where they can easily be seen. They provide visitors with essential information such as office hours, Wi-Fi details, or event schedules.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs ensure compliance with traffic laws and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations. They help maintain order and safety within your facility and may be legally required for certain public buildings.

A wayfinding system can benefit any organization that wants to make it easy for customers, guests, or employees to navigate their physical space.

Hospitality Wayfinding Signage

Hotels and resorts use wayfinding signs to guide guests to their rooms, dining areas, and amenities.

Health Care & Hospital Wayfinding Signage

Hospitals, urgent care centers, or medical facilities use wayfinding to help guide patients and visitors to the appropriate location. A system may include exterior directional traffic signs, building signs, interior directories, and ADA-compliant room signage.

Mixed-Use Wayfinding

Mixed-use developments benefit from wayfinding systems to help visitors navigate retail, residential, and office spaces.

Cultural & Museum Wayfinding Sign Systems

Museums, galleries, and cultural centers use wayfinding signs to direct visitors to exhibits, restrooms, and gift shops.

Retail Wayfinding Signage

Retail centers use signage to guide shoppers to stores, restrooms, and customer service areas.

Science + Technology Wayfinding Signs

Laboratories and tech campuses use wayfinding signs to help staff and visitors find their way around complex areas with multiple floors or buildings.

Parks and Historic Sites Wayfinding Signage

Parks use signage to guide visitors to attractions such as featured displays,  trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.

School and University Campus Wayfinding Signage

Schools and universities use wayfinding signs to direct students, faculty, and visitors to classrooms, offices, and common areas.

Transit Wayfinding Signage

Transit hubs like airports and train stations use signage to help travelers navigate to gates, platforms, and services.

Improved User Experience

Effective wayfinding systems enhance the visitor experience by reducing frustration and making navigation intuitive with a clear traffic flow.

Safety and Security

Clear signage helps quickly and effectively guide people to emergency exits and safety equipment. It plays a crucial role in improving the safety of your visitors.

Increased Accessibility

Wayfinding signage systems ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities, can navigate your space easily and independently.

Simplicity

• Use clear and concise language: Avoid long sentences or complex terminology.
• Limit information: Only include the most essential details to avoid clutter.
• Standardize icons and symbols: Use universally recognized icons to ensure quick understanding.

Legibility

• Choose readable fonts: Opt for sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica.
• Use high-contrast colors: Ensure text stands out against the background (e.g., black text on a white background).
• Adequate text size: Ensure text is large enough to be read from a distance appropriate for its location.

Accessibility

• Follow ADA guidelines: Include Braille and tactile elements for visually impaired visitors.
• Install signs at accessible heights: Ensure signs are at a height that can be seen by all users, including those in wheelchairs.
• Provide auditory and visual cues: Use sound and light to assist those with different needs.

Consistency

• Uniform design elements: Use the same colors, fonts, and icons throughout the system that align with your overall brand identity.
• Consistent terminology: Use the same terms for directions and locations across all signs.
• Regular and frequent placement: Place signs at regular intervals to ensure continuous guidance.

Zebra Visuals can design, fabricate, and install a wide range of exterior and interior wayfinding signs as part of your complete sign system package.

We can help you establish a sign communication system from the very start of your project or work with where you are today. Having a defined sign vocabulary can make decision-making and planning easier.