People tend to view signs as part of a larger experience and respond negatively to elements that are out of place. That is why consistency is such an important part of any wayfinding signage project.
When developing a wayfinding signage program there are five things to consider to enforce consistency:
1. Visual Survey
Develop a photographic survey of your site and call out any mismatched elements. Particularly focus on clutter. Tacked on paper and posters are the biggest consistency killers.
2. Create a Family Outlining the Proposed Wayfinding Signage
Place all the elements being designed next to each other at the same scale to ensure consistency between all elements.
The family is the most important design document for revealing consistencies and can be used to isolate consistency triggers like color and shape.
3. Focus on Consistency Triggers
Fundamental elements like type, color, message hierarchy and shape play important roles in reinforcing consistency and should take the lead in design conversations.
4. Simplify Complexity
The more complex the wayfinding signage system the simpler the individual elements need to be. The most complicated project, like airport wayfinding, have signs that are the most utilitarian.
5. Wayfinding Signage Montage
Like with the survey, place your elements in a real world setting to see how the design elements work together.
The montage is a great document for analyzing consistency as part of the wayfinding experience.
ID Signsystems builds custom wayfinding and identity sign solutions through client collaboration, with long-term focus on management and maintenance programs. Our custom approach results in a complete sign family that combines modular efficiency with unique attributes. Contact us today to get your wayfinding project started!
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