Monday, May 28, 2012

The categories of signs


A wayfinding system links different people together, even if they do not share a common language or destination, by guiding all of them through the same space with a single system of communication. The unifying language of a wayfinding system creates a public narrative of how people witness, read, and experience a space. Each sign in a system, each separative voice, serves a particular function and displays a specific kind of content called a message, which might include nonverbal graphic symbols, images, and works.

The narrative is the voice of the building and that of its owner, revealing the pathways and destinations of the building or space, the rules that govern how to use it, and essential information about activities happening within, it is the job of the wayfinding designer to weave these voices together into a single eloquent statement as people navigate the space.

Most wayfinding systems can be broken down into several categories of signs: identification, directional, orientation, and regulatory. This section will explore the variety of signs used in wayfinding design and how they can accentuate impressions about a place.  

The building blocks of wayfinding, identification signs often provide the first impression of a destination. These signs are visual markers that display the name and function of a place or space, whether it is a room, an individual building, or a campus gateway. They appear at the beginning and end of routes and indicate entrances and exits to primary and secondary destinations.

No comments:

Post a Comment