Large facilities, whether they are government establishments, factories, malls, airports, or hospitals, can be a little overwhelming for visitors to navigate their way around. This is where signage and wayfinding come into play. In order to prevent any difficulty for visitors, large-scale facilities need to have proper directional, instructional signage in place.

Therefore, the right framework must be used when developing a signage strategy, keeping in mind the purpose of the signage, its location, the size and scale of the facility, the visitor demographic, and the amount of signage needed. And that makes it imperative to start by developing a plan for proper signage for a facility.

Finding what works for the building in terms of orientation, direction, and identification, among others, is integral to the success of the signage strategy. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but it gives a good starting point for the preliminary analysis of the signage needed. To that end, this article sheds light on the top considerations for planning your signage system. 

But before getting into the nitty-gritty of the same, let’s look at the need for wayfinding in large-scale facilities.

Why Wayfinding Is Needed for a Large-Scale Facility and the Top Considerations to Plan It Right

As elucidated above, large-scale facilities are particularly stressful for visitors to navigate. Wayfinding is the means by which a visitor can locate the intended area and reach it within a minimal time. The wayfinding strategy needs to be well-thought and planned for. Having it in place can help visitors get around the establishment with minimal stress.

But there’s more to it than just knowing where to go. Signage can be integral to nurturing a business’s credibility. For instance, in large hospitals, comprehensive instructional signage can help create a wholesome experience for patients as they interact within the facility, which can, in turn, improve their overall perception of the institution. And not just inside the facility but outside as well, where there are also signs to guide visitors on their way. 

With the help of signage, visitors can also appreciate the purpose of the facility and thus better relate to it. As a result, their experience will be more positive and result-oriented.

Top Considerations to Plan Your Signage System

Having an Inclusive Design

When designing signage from scratch, inclusivity in design is the most important factor to take into account. Every building has a unique set of requirements, and it is these requirements that inspire a design; inclusiveness equates to simplicity. When it comes to wayfinding, everything should be obvious and simple.

Proportions and Disclosure

Understanding the appropriate design proportions and the appropriate method of disclosure is another crucial aspect. Exaggerating the designs’ proportions can exacerbate the wayfinding issues already present. It is here that the purpose and location of the signage should be factored into the design. Keeping in mind the purpose of the sign, along with small details such as text size and typefaces of fonts, can help bring proportional consistency to design. As for disclosure, it is critical to recognise what needs more time and attention and what can be skipped.

Plenty of Contrast

For the signage system to be interactive, contrast is essential. There should be a clear separation between the background, content, and images. The design element must be carefully thought out, taking into account its intended location and method of display. The purpose of this is to guarantee that the signs are also visible from a distance.

Signs that Last

In addition to everything else, durability is the secret to a successful signage plan. If the signage is to be installed outside, careful consideration must be given to what material to use while taking the weather into account. The weight and corrosion characteristics of the material to be used are additional considerations. All these things need to be thought through while planning a signage strategy.

Right Type of Signage

Numerous types of signage can be used in wayfinding. And there can be endless parameters to decide that, including but not limited to your brand, customer personas, accessibility, purpose and more. Depending on the same, your signage may be directional, instructional, safety, identification or regulatory, just to name a few. A large-scale building is bound to have a mix of these signs—necessitating a strategic approach to plan, design, and install them. 

Easy-to-Follow Content

There can neither be too much nor too little information on the signs. You must address the content requirements by keeping the visitor in mind. What would they be looking for? Would they be able to decipher the text? Is there consistency in the hierarchy of information? Whatever information is on the sign should be easily and quickly readable. Here are a few best practices to follow:

  • Use bullet points, diagrams, and tables to present complex information
  • Use colours to help differentiate between blocks of content and bold text for the most important information
  • Ensure that all signs are consistent with regard to text size, typefaces, and contextual clues
  • Arrange the signs in a logical order that ensures a smooth flow of information.
  • Ensure images and content complement each other
  • Ensure that the language used is easy to comprehend

Size and Configuration

For large-scale facilities, it is always a good idea to limit the number of signage sizes and configurations. With this, it is easier to achieve scalability and speed. This also makes it easy to replace content in case of a change in the layout of the facility. Hence, modular signages often make the ideal choices for large facilities. 

Wrapping Up

A signage strategy needs to be planned carefully because there are numerous granular details to address. At Cosign, we have been doing this for almost three decades; we’re adept at understanding how a signage system can improve the wayfinding experience for visitors. Get in touch to learn more.