Signage Strategies: A guide for navigating and communicating effectively at your facilities.

The way we communicate has changed over the decades. Information is no longer primarily transmitted through newspapers and radio broadcasts but through social media posts and digital content. In a world where people are more connected than ever, businesses are becoming increasingly aware of how visual branding impacts their reputation as an organization. Therefore, it is no surprise that signage is one of the important segments in facility management.  

Signages communicate experience, reinforce safety and security, and prompt every individual at the facility to think about a holistic brand value as an organization. Designing signage systems means accommodating a wide range of potential users and factoring in various design variables – including contrast, color, typography, size, materials, placement, viewing distance, and technological enhancements. 

This guide will help build an effective signage practice and navigate with signages in the facility efficiently. 

Building effective communication with signages

Steps 1 - Research: 

The starting point of good signage is knowing who regularly visits your facility, understanding the target audience, and the need for additional information about various aspects of your business. Identify the demographics in the area and evaluate if the signages are specific to individuals working for the company or public space (the general public).

Step 2 – Design Philosophy and Influence: 

Understand the physical space, users, and destinations to determine the best way for people to move safely and efficiently, and deliver routing information consistent with appearance, messaging, and placement throughout the facilities. Key parameters include: 

• Background: As a general readability standard, consider a minimum 70% contrast ratio of foreground to the background for all signage. The preferred background is matte or non-glare finish for background and lettering surfaces. 
• Language: The audience may speak in English; if English is not the first language, consider translating the signs into multiple languages. You may also use tactile lettering and Braille for permanent room signs for easy accessibility.
• Fonts: Fonts must ensure legibility and readability. Some examples include: 

• Colors: A single primary background color for wayfinding helps the viewer locate and focus on important information. Contrasting colors for sign faces and graphics can support readability.
• Formats and Layouts: Sign format refers to the ordering, positioning, and size of the graphics on sign faces in a wayfinding program. Accommodate relevant information based on location and viewing conditions and appropriately size the text, arrows, and symbols for viewing at a required distance. Adjust letter and line spacing for maximum legibility. Characters and symbols must have a minimum 70% Light Reflectance Value (LRV) contrast with their background. 

1. Illustrations: Symbols, icons, or graphics are essential in wayfinding communication. Paired with text illustrations acts as a learned “shorthand” for viewers and functions as a standalone communicator.  
2. Different abilities: Signs must provide orientation and guidance for an individual with different abilities, such as mobility disabilities, walking aids or wheelchairs, vision or hearing difficulties, and cognitive disabilities, by focusing on the tactile floor markings and avoiding any text.

Step 3 – Prioritization: 

Time is always a factor for the end-users in a hurry; prioritizing helps to put essential information where it can be seen and processed quickly. Prioritize information on signs at major decision points to focus on primary destinations and limit messages to avoid information overload on signs at key decision points.

• Primary: Directional and identification signage relating to major wayfinding destinations to enable the movement of vehicles and people throughout the facility safely and efficiently.
• Secondary: Information that relates to specific amenities, services, and support functions, and information that supplements primary destination information. Direct to secondary destinations (amenities, services, and support functions) only on signs near the destinations.
• Tertiary: Non-wayfinding information includes regulatory messages, advertising and marketing, and other supplemental information.

Step 4: Compliance and standardization:  

Standards for accessibility in public signage vary widely by jurisdiction and with the priorities of the various government, professional, and advocacy groups. 

• Allocate signages by regulatory standards. 
• Work with a licensed traffic engineer to observe sign placement regulations and allow drivers time to process directional and lane assignment information. Periodically evaluate symbol usage and add new symbols/graphics. 
• Establish consistent viewing zones and mounting heights for wayfinding.
• Create a signage manual with usage details, colors, sizes, and fonts specifying signage requirements and adherence to brand guidelines and protocols such as logo on the signage, language sensitivity, design, and standard practices. 

Step 5: Mapping the Right Type of Signage for safety, security, and experience:

Benefits of effective signages for facility management:

1. Emergency Response: In cases of an emergency, individuals, the Emergency responders, or medics at the facility can reach the designated point faster.

2. Cost & Resource Optimization: Traditional security management techniques, such as performing traffic management/ wayfinding support in large campuses, require extensive on-ground support. Good signage helps optimize workforce and resource allocation, reducing costs and managing tasks optimally. 

3. Avoids Confusion: Effective signage, especially in parking lots, can help car drivers find an easy way to navigate when confused about entry and exits.

4. Statutory Compliance: Helps in understanding the state laws, differently abled guidelines of the National Building Code, and regulations which is a vital component in setting up signages in Braille (lift buttons), multiple languages, and more.

5. Attractive revenue generation opportunities: Digital displays allow businesses to display dynamic and interactive content such as display advertisements, product information, promotions, and more. Digital screens are a great way to engage customers and increase opportunities for new revenues. 

In conclusion:

Signage and facilities management is all about the experience. Effective signage can be just as beneficial in improving safety, and efficiency for navigation, creating memorable experiences and an opportunity for an operator to leave a mark on the space so that it reflects the brand or company culture. 

To learn about Denali Assets Integrated Facility Management Services, please write to us at info@denaliassets.co.in or visit us at www.denaliassets.co.in