4 Wayfinding Signage Types Every Business Should Know
Wayfinding signage is essential for spaces such as hotels, offices, shopping centers, or train stations. As signage and wayfinding consultants in Dubai, we understand that clear signs help people feel at ease and find their way easily, which has a crucial impact on your business.
Without proper signs, buildings, and big infrastructure facilities, it can be difficult to navigate. When signs and other helpful visuals are missing, people may feel lost and confused.
For example, in a multi-level shopping mall, missing directional signs can cause visitors to miss key stores or spend less time shopping. In hospitals, a lack of signage can delay urgent care as patients or visitors wander lost.
On the other hand, well-designed signage not only improves navigation but also builds trust. Businesses benefit from increased customer satisfaction, smooth operations, and stronger brand credibility.
What are the Types of Wayfinding Signage Solutions?
Wayfinding signs come in four main types: informational, directional, identification, and regulatory. On their own, each type serves a distinct purpose, but together, they form a comprehensive wayfinding system that helps people navigate with ease.
Here's what businesses should understand about using each of these core wayfinding signage types.
#1. Informational Signage
Informational signage is designed to provide users with key details about the nearby facilities. These signs provide useful information that helps visitors make wise choices. They can also serve as confirmation of a specific location.
These signs need to be easy to read and understand quickly, so visitors can immediately grasp the purpose of the facility. They often complement directional signage by adding helpful details along the way.
For example, if a pathway is temporarily closed, informational signs help visitors adjust their plans or find alternative routes.
Effective informational signage plays a vital role in enhancing the overall customer experience, helping to build trust and confidence with visitors.
General examples of Informational signage are:
Opening Hours Signs - Displaying the hours of operation for a business or facility.
Facility Maps - Providing a map layout to help visitors navigate large complexes.
Public Transit Info - Providing schedules, routes, or directions to the nearest station.
#2. Directional Signage
Directional Signage is essential across various industries, such as hotels, hospitals, or factories, to help customers and employees find their way quickly. As directional signage consultants, we understand the importance of this type of signage for your business.
Directional Signage Visually helps customers and employees to find their way as quickly as possible. Directional Signage is essential across various industries, such as hotels, hospitals, or factories, to help.
These signs are typically placed indoors, using arrows or icons to direct people towards the entry/exit gates, restrooms, or to specific rooms.
When designing and positioning directional signs for your space, consider two primary factors: location and clarity. First, signs should appear exactly where people expect them, guiding visitors naturally and properly to their destinations.
Poorly positioned signage can confuse people, leading them to feel lost. Similarly, the design of your sign matters; signs must be sized for easy readability from a distance to prevent frustration.
To build an effective directional signage system, maintain consistency across all signs. A well-designed system enables visitors to make informed decisions at every stage of their journey, allowing them to proceed confidently to their next location.
General examples of Directional Signage are:
University classrooms, libraries, and auditoriums
Shopping Mall restrooms, exits, and stores
Airport gates, counters, and specific areas
#3. Identification Signage
Identification signage helps visitors know they've arrived at the right place. These signs provide essential information, pointing visitors to important areas or services they need.
It doesn't provide directions, but rather confirms that a person has reached their intended destination or identifies a particular place or area. They can be as simple as a restroom sign or markers for different departments.
Identification signs should be straightforward. The message must be clear and easy to understand quickly, helping visitors find their way while also highlighting key landmarks around the space.
General examples of Identification signage are:
Restroom Signs - Indicating the location of bathrooms for both men and women.
Departmental Signs - Directing visitors to different areas, such as "Marketing" and "Sales".
Exit Signs - Marking emergency exits for safety.
#4. Regulatory Signage
Safety should always be the top priority in any situation, whether it's a workplace, public area, or facility. Visitors need to be aware of the rules, guidelines, and boundaries in place.
To help communicate this, safety and regulatory signs are essential. These signs are strategically placed where safety measures require reinforcement.
They include straightforward warnings like "Use Stair Case in case of Emergency/Fire", "No entry", "Staff Only", or "No Smoking", ensuring that people understand important restrictions and potential hazards.
The messaging is kept clear and direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding, so rules are followed and safety is not compromised.
Safety and regulatory signs are designed to be bold and easily noticed. With bright colours and large fonts, they emphasize critical information and ensure it is visible, reinforcing its importance to everyone present.
General examples of Regulatory signage are:
Fire Exit Signs - Marking emergency exits for safe evacuation.
No Smoking Signs - Indicating areas where smoking is prohibited.
Employees Only Signs - Restricting access to authorised personnel only.
Organising wayfinding signage as a system in businesses
Wayfinding is an experience that guides people through a space, providing a clear and intuitive navigation system. Each type of wayfinding signage plays an important role, and they should all work together.
The Role of Each Sign Type:
Informational signs provide additional details, such as store hours or maps.
Directional signs help people move efficiently from point A to point B.
Identification signs confirm their arrival at the location (e.g., room numbers or department names).
Regulatory signs communicate rules or restrictions (e.g., "No Entry," "Staff Only").
The key is to present the information clearly and straightforwardly. The simpler and more consistent the signage is across all types, the more effective it will be for everyone navigating the space.
Let's take a retail store as an example:
Identification signs label sections like "Men's Apparel" or "Electronics," as well as provide a list of stores along with their floor number.
Directional signs at the entrance and throughout the aisles guide shoppers to departments or checkout points.
Informational signs highlight promotional areas, such as "Sale Items," or provide service guidance like "Customer Service."
Regulatory signs, such as "Exit Only" or "No Smoking," ensure safety and order within the space.
By keeping signs simple and consistent, businesses can help customers find their way quickly and enhance the shopping experience for everyone.
Why should you never ignore Wayfinding signage in your business?
They are essential for guiding customers, ensuring their safety, and providing them with useful information. Clear signs make it easier for people to navigate and improve their overall experience. Don't ignore these signs for your business.
Whether it's a sign directing people, a safety notice, or helpful information, each one plays a part in keeping things running smoothly. Ignoring signs can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and unhappy customers.
Working with a wayfinding signage consultant, such as Keystone, can help your business overcome circulation challenges and enhance the visitor experience. If you're looking to improve your organisation's wayfinding system, contact us now for the best wayfinding signage in Dubai!
