In most businesses, signage is vitally important. And that just might be one of the great understatements in the history of business!
Signage is helpful to guide people to your business, help people on the outside identify your business and its location, and internal signage is important in letting customers know your menu, your service options, or even the people they might be dealing with as they work with your business.
What whether the sign is outside or inside, are there some common elements that go into a sign that effectively conveys its message?
Here are some components to consider:
Visibility
Your sign should be contrasting with the surroundings so it will be noticed. If the colors are too similar to what is around it, people will walk or drive past it.
Angle
You have to consider how people will be seeing your sign. Are they driving past it on a road at a certain speed? Will they be walking directly into your office, or coming at it from an angle?Taking these things into consideration will determine the angle of your sign so it will be seen most effectively.
Readable
This involves the amount of information you have on your sign. Do put any more info on your sign than it absolutely necessary. People walking or driving past will only have a second or two to see your sign, and if there is too much to read, they could very well miss the most important message.
Colors
It is important to note color schemes that fit best and are the most noticeable. Dark colors with white or yellow works best, but keep in mind color-blind people and avoid those combinations that may not work for them (red-green combinations, for example). And for most people, white text on a dark background is actually easier to read than dark-on-white.
Text size
Consider the distance people are walking or driving from and their speed. Indoors, plan according to whether your sign needs to be seen from across the office or just from the immediate hallway. Outdoors, consider your municipal sign codes, surroundings that might obscure a sign and other signs around you.
Lettering
Capitals are easily read, but one at a time; lower-case letters tend to be read more quickly as one word or phrase.