You’ve probably spent significant resources getting your signage system up and running. But how well is it doing its job?
If you think about it, signs do a lot of things. They can assist travelers with directions, share important emergency messages, and indicate where to park at the hospital emergency room. Crucial for any place of business, they should announce, “Here we are! Please come in!” Despite the vital role signs play in sharing brand identity and bringing in customers, they’re often treated as an afterthought.
SIGNAGE SYSTEM DESIGN SHOULD BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PLANNING FOR ANY COMPANY.
It’s important to consider that people are bombarded with a staggering amount of visual stimulation these days, so there’s a lot of competition for their attention. In fact, research shows that the rise of digital communications has reduced the average person’s attention span to just eight seconds. Getting creative is the way to go.
READ ON FOR SIX FOOLPROOF SIGNAGE DESIGN TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU ATTRACT AND ENGAGE YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.
- Keep it simple. When it comes to signage, less really is more. You may be tempted to include every bit of information you can on your sign, but it’s best to use only the amount of words that are necessary. The efficient use of space is not only more visually appealing, it’s less confusing to readers who may need to grasp the content quickly. For optimal, readability, experts recommend leaving 30% to 40% of the sign’s face area as white space.
- Include interesting visuals. Crisp, colorful digital photos can be incorporated into signage designs to add impact. Logos and other branding elements can also enhance the sign’s overall design and layout. What interesting visual associated with your business could be included to capture attention and communicate your message? Be creative but don’t go overboard. Going too far out of the box can be a turn off to some customers.
- Give careful thought to color. When choosing a background for your sign’s design, don’t use anything that will make it difficult to focus on the primary message. The greater the contrast between the background and text, the more legible your sign will be from a distance. Black contrasts well with any light color, while white works well with lettering in a dark hue. Colors that are more similar, such as a green background and blue lettering, don’t have sufficient contrast, making them more difficult to read.
- Consider the visual hierarchy. What do you want people to read first on your sign? Text size creates a natural, easy-to-follow visual hierarchy. The largest type will grab readers’ attention first, so this should be the primary message you want to get across. Then, include any secondary elements or supporting messages according to their size and placement in the design.
- Don’t overdo movement. The human eye is attracted to motion, so animation and video can be effective ways to drive engagement when using digital signs. But viewers need enough time to read the text, so make sure the movement isn’t too fast or abrupt. Consider keeping your logo and any other important features on the screen at all times to create a consistent and easily-identifiable brand presence.
- Include a call to action. Whether you’re creating a digital signage system or a static one, the best way to engage viewers is by giving them an opportunity to participate. For example, “Like Us on Facebook” or “Text This Number to Earn Rewards”. These direct calls to action ell viewers exactly what you want them to do after taking in your message.
There’s more to creating an effective signage system than meets the eye.
There are many factors that should be taken into consideration in the design process. By following the principles we’ve shared in this article, you can develop attractive, high impact signage that’s readable, appealing to the eye, and built to engage your audience.
Whether you’re captivating video walls, trendy digital displays or on-the-go vehicle graphics, Adler Display is your source for visual communications solutions. When it’s time to create, replace, or refurbish your company’s signage system, you can rely on our friendly professionals for compelling designs that get noticed. Please contact us to learn more.
About Adler Display: Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Adler Display brings more than 80 years of experience to its clients in need of recognition displays, lobby and corporate interiors, custom exhibits, historical timelines, trade show displays, and signage and graphics. For more information about Adler Display, please visit the website at https://adlerdisplay.com/ or call 855-552-3537.