Wayfinding is basically figuring out where you are and following a path or route to where you want to go. Wayfinding signage guides people through a physical environment to help them get where they need to go with ease. Think about a hospital where colour coded floor graphics can direct patients to different clinical areas such as the fracture clinic or radiology clinic. Another example is in airports. Clear wayfinding helps travelers get to the correct gate to board their flight.
Wayfinding can be particularly effective when done visually in large complexes such as hospitals, airports and universities. For retailers, reinforcing consistency in the wayfinding signage will help not only for your customers to identify you, but also guide customers to you. A consistent brand used across different media will help retailers improve their image and draw in their customers as it will increase your brand recognition.
When designing and developing your store signs, legibility is very important. Today we have a much better understanding on the importance of legible signs, and we can utilize modeling software to analyze viewing corridors and determine the appropriate signage required for maximum visibility. Legible type, size, font, scale and contrast are all important aspects of creating your signs.
There are opportunities in retail wayfinding to use many of the tried and true signs. From channel letters to projection signs, backlit signs, window graphics or 3D lettering, these can all be used to attract attention to your retail business. For example, if you have a store inside a mall, you will want to have a storefront sign in channel letters or 3D lettering to stand out. You may also add some window graphics or even posters to draw customers in.
Another aspect to consider is whether you want to illuminate your signs. Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology can be used to light up your sign and have it stand out. As the LEDs are also energy efficient, they won’t result in significantly higher utility bills. You can also illuminate a sign in other ways with external lights instead of LED if that is your preference.
Window graphics and poster display in windows are integral in designing your store and also supports wayfinding. An attractive window display will draw in your customers. You can also use window graphics to advertise and promote sales. At The Sign & Graphics Manufaktur Inc. we use a high quality HP large format printer to create your signs and graphics ensuring that your signs are visually appealing to your visitors and will draw them in. Call us at 905-670-0797 to speak with an expert and request a free quote!
