Point of Reference

You can have all the signs in the world but if the visitor is unsure of where they are in reference to other landmarks, it won’t get them far. Be sure to always help the visitor understand where they are in comparison to other places in the building. In shopping malls, this is done by using a map and placing a symbol on where the viewer is located. For other locations, this won’t have to be as complicated but having an indication that they are at the entrance or the lobby can help them find their way.

Simplicity is Best

A complicated system that is hard to navigate won’t do much in terms of wayfinding. Be sure all signage looks similar and is easy to read. Keeping with a color scheme, or using a color scheme to your advantage, can be helpful. One way businesses do this is by using their own brand colors to reinforce branding. Another way is to color code different areas. Some book stores will keep related genres in the same color. This is helpful when looking for similar genres but keeps things separate and easy.

Bringing Customers Back

If your location is easy to navigate and your customers find things easily, they are likely to come back. This is done by making signage easy to read from afar and making it follow common sense. After all, if it is intuitive to follow, few will get lost while using your directional signage. Using the right symbols, such as arrows, will also help. Be sure to clearly mark your entrance so customers know how to come back.

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Wayfinding 101

What exactly is “wayfinding,” anyway? Well, it is basically the act or process of figuring out how to get from one place to another in the most efficient manner possible. Think about your GPS app on your smartphone, for example. Most often, it tells you the quickest way to get someplace—not necessarily the scenic route! This is an important aspect of wayfinding. You shouldn’t have to think too hard about how you’re going to get to your specific place—ideally, you really shouldn’t have to think at all. No trick, no gimmicks, just get where you need to be, right?

Another aspect of the natural or organic wayfinding process is the use of landmarks. Try to think about how you would direct someone to travel from your home to say, a popular tourist location within your city. You would help them out by using landmarks. Easily recognizable points or places are generally more helpful than just listing street names and “go left” or “go right,” for example.

How to Create Quality Wayfinding Signs

You might be wondering why we’re rambling about the basics of wayfinding theory. Well, think about it. If your wayfinding sign contains simple pictures or symbols, clear and concise text and a helpful arrow, your guests will be much more likely to find their way in your building. These are the basics of the theory, applied in a practical way. See? It’s simpler than you may think.

Remember, with wayfinding signs, you don’t want people to feel like they need to think about how to get to their target location. Just keep it simple and easy to read, and you will succeed.

Get Your Wayfinding Signs Today

Since you’re now better informed about the theory and practice of wayfinding signs, you can go ahead and order your high-quality, custom-made signage from Schaefer Sign Works. We are your one-stop shop for everything related to signs, so give us a call today and get a free quote.

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