When you want to grab a viewers attention and direct them to your business, an outdoor directional sign is exactly what you need. When customers approach your business for the first time, your outdoor directional signs will help them form their first impression of your business. A lack of signage can leave customers confused and even anxious while clear directions will help them feel confident in finding their way and impressed with your companys welcoming and professional image.
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Even if customers dont consciously consider the value that your directional signs provide, they will enjoy a better experience overall with your business.
Outdoor directional signs are a kind of outdoor signage that provide information and direct people to locations. These signs are similar to their indoor counterparts in function but will often be larger so people passing by your building can see them clearly. They also help you make a positive first impression, which makes them crucial to your companys image.
Directional signs can serve several different purposes. They can:
As you consider using outdoor directional signage for your companys building or event, you should be aware of the positive impact wayfinding signage can have on your business. The top benefits include the following:
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As weve seen, one of the primary uses of directional signs is guiding people in the direction they need to go. Directional arrow signs, in particular, can be very effective in directing customers. While you consider directional signage for the outside of your buildings, think about whether your consumers would benefit from any of the following information:
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When you picture directional signs, you may picture signs on posts or window graphics affixed to your doors and windows. These are all excellent choices for outdoor directional signage, but another option you should consider is floor graphics.
Directional floor decals can communicate important messages, such as directions, on the ground surrounding the facility. They are typically applied to concrete and asphalt, making them popular on roadways and sidewalks surrounding a facility. Their presence can give the grounds an extra ambiance while also assisting visitors in finding their way to the correct buildings and entrances.
Often, these decals will advertise the business by showcasing the companys logo and name. More importantly, the directional floor decals will use shapes and text to point visitors in the right direction.
Creative companies that have large campuses often use directional decals as a sort of trail for visitors to follow. This sort of application adds an extra flair to the outdoors while also helping visitors find their way.
Another common application of these floor decals is conveying information to people standing in line or on their phones. If you have a storefront where people sometimes have to wait in line outside or that people consistently pass by, a floor decal can capture attention.
For those standing in line, anytime they look down, theyll see relevant information about your company. For people who are simply walking by, instead of missing your store entirely, a directional floor decal can grab their attention and make them aware of your building. The best part about floor decals is that they ensure that people are exposed to your business, no matter where theyre looking.
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As you decide on the look and placement of your outdoor sign, you should consider some industry standards and guidelines that the best companies understand and follow. From designing the sign to its installation, youll want your sign to be in the best possible position to succeed.
Below are some of the most useful tips and guidelines to follow:
When it comes to designing wayfinding signage, its wise to keep the layout as simple as possible. Minimalistic designs that are crisp and easy to understand are ideal, as you are trying to communicate crucial information quickly. Another way to highlight the signs message is to stick to colors and shades that are on-brand. Instead of having to figure out whos behind the sign, the potential client or customer will intuitively know who the sign is from if theyre familiar with your brand.
You want the viewer to focus on the message itself, which is why its important that any embellishments do not detract from the signs message. Fonts should also be readable, whether the viewer is close or far away.
Another element of simple design is to make the symbols, pictures and icons used on the sign subtle. You dont want an image to overtake the signs main message, as the purpose of a directional sign is to get people where they need to go as fast as possible. Keeping imagery to a minimum is usually the right option to go with.
If you want people to use your wayfinding signs, they need to be able to see them. No matter how impressive a sign is, if its not in a location where people can see it, the signs design wont matter.
When visitors pass by your store, you want them to be able to find the entrance instantly. If someone drives by the store, you also want them to know where the parking lot is, meaning that the sign should be visible from the roadway.
Some popular locations for signage include parking lots, sidewalks and walkways. In these locations, the signs shouldnt be obstructed or placed somewhere where people will not quickly see them. Wayfinding signs can be coated with UV-protecting materials to ensure the environment doesnt damage the sign. You can also use laminates on the signs to make sure they can withstand inclement weather and other environmental factors.
Pay attention to the different directions people can approach your business from, and make sure you capture the attention of all of these people with your directional signs. Double-sided directional signs provide a simple way to provide directions to people approaching from either side of the sidewalk or street.
The main principle for signage placement is a simple one make sure that you install your signs in locations where people can easily see them.
A signs lighting impacts the effect your signage has on its audience. For outdoor signage, there will, of course, be a change in natural lighting throughout the day and night. If your organization operates at night or early in the morning, people need to be able to see your signs even when its dark out.
To ensure that your signs are always well lit, whether its day or night, add backlighting to your signs. This backlighting will make the sign more visible at night and make its message pop more during the day. Ground-installed spotlights that point towards directional signs are another popular option. The glow that these spotlights provide adds an ambiance to the signage that attracts the attention of passersby.
Even during hours when your business is closed, well-lit signs can attract the attention of passersby so they know your business is there. They may choose to come back during open hours.
When designing your outdoor sign, youll also need to determine if it will be freestanding, mounted on a wall, placed on the ground or hung off the side of a building. These different display methods bring with them different backdrops.
For example, if you mount a sign onto a wall, the rest of the wall will act as a backdrop to the sign. Youll want this sign to pop against its backdrop. For example, a rust-colored sign may blend in too much on a red brick building. A sign that will be placed on a stake in the lawn may need to be a color other than green.
On the other hand, you also want your signs to complement their backdrops. Before you design a sign, examine the area where youre thinking of placing it and ensure that your signs dont clash with their environments. While this doesnt mean you shouldnt try to grab peoples attention, it does mean that your signs shouldnt make your building or property look ugly or uninviting. Simple background colors like white or black work well in most environments.
The best images and graphics for directional signage is minimal and doesnt distract from the message of the sign. To ensure that nothing distracts, use imagery that relies on shapes that people are already familiar with and can quickly understand. Recognizable icons can also help people who do not speak English navigate your business.
Imagery can be an incredible tool to capture the attention and imagination of potential customers. If you operate a store on a busy road, youll need to get the attention of consumers first before you can direct them to your store. The best outdoor wayfinding signs attract peoples attention and then direct their attention to how they can get to your building or event.
Companies that dont market to people passing by on the street can still use outdoor directional signage to point clients or other important visitors to the right parking spaces and direct them to the appropriate entrance. A simple design, such as an arrow, can immediately show them where they need to go.
Contact Your Local SpeedPro for Help Designing Your Outdoor Directional Signage
You want visitors and employees to have an excellent experience when they visit your facilities. Outdoor signage is the first chance that a company has to make that experience the best it can be. If you want to make a great first impression and provide practical value to visitors with directional signage, SpeedPro can help.
With a nationwide network of studios that specialize in large format printing, SpeedPro has the experience and expertise needed to turn your designs into stunning custom directional signs. Contact your local studio to learn more about your outdoor directional signage options.