URBAN

SIGNAGES
AND
SYMBOLS
FLORES, EZEKIEL S.
FULLA, LIZA F.

Signage, refers to the design or use of signs and symbols to communicate a

message to a specific group, usually for the purpose of marketing or a kind of
advocacy. A signage also means signs collectively or being considered as a
group. The term signage is documented to have been popularized in 1975 to
1980. Signage is one of the most important tools for the management of
responsible access. It is first and foremost a simple and effective method of
communication between the people who own or manage land and water and
those who take access on it. Signs offer an obvious welcome and have a
significant role to play in promoting paths and encouraging and supporting
people in their use. This will help everyone to take access responsibly and
allow land and access managers to carry out operations safely and provide
opportunities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors
Signs are any kind of visual graphics created to display information to a
particular audience. This is typically manifested in the form
of wayfinding information in places such as streets or on the inside and
outside of buildings. Signs vary in form and size based on location and intent,
from more expansive banners, billboards, and murals, to smaller street
signs, street name signs, sandwich boards and lawn signs. Newer signs may
also use digital or electronic displays.
The main purpose of signs is to communicate, to convey information such
that the receiver may make cognitive decisions based on the information
provided. In general, signs may be classified according to the following
functions:

Information: signs conveying information about services and facilities,

such as maps, directories, or instructional signs.

Direction: signs showing the location of services, facilities, functional

spaces and key areas, such as sign posts or directional arrows.

Identification: signs indicating services and facilities, such as room

names and numbers, restroom signs, or floor designations.

Safety and Regulatory: signs giving warning or safety instructions,

such as warning signs, traffic signs, exit signs, or signs conveying rules
and regulations

A symbol is a person or a concept that represents, stands for or suggests

another idea, visual image, belief, action or material entity. Symbols take the
form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas or visual images and are used to
convey other ideas and beliefs.

Color symbols particularly used in Europe.

Signage Principles
The audience - who are they, what do they want or need to know and how
best can that information be provided?
Think about the key message(s) to be communicated

 Think of the ways to communicate this message to your audience and

make a judgement as to whether or not signage is the most appropriate
medium. Is a sign required at all?
Think through who, what, why, when, how, where, to make sure you have
not forgotten anything crucial to your message
Capture peoples attention - incorporate signage into other features such
as seating and sculpture. Once you have their attention it is much easier to
communicate your message
Make signs positive - people tend to respond far better to positive, polite
and friendly messages
Humour (cartoons, slang etc) can be really effective but must be used with
care. It has to be audience appropriate as it has the potential to offend or be
misunderstood
Use standard safety signs for health and safety issues, if appropriate
Consider people who cannot read (or cannot read English), people of all
ages or those with a sensory impairment
Avoid lists of dos and do nots - it may not be Code compliant and some
people do not like being told what they can or cannot do and so may simply
ignore the sign. Try to explain the reasons why people are being asked to
behave in a certain way
Keep it simple - people generally do not want to spend time reading
through reams of information. Make messages short, simple and concise they will be far more effective
Locate signs where your target audience can not miss them. Pinch points
(e.g. bridges or gates) or places where people congregate make signs more
difficult to miss. Avoid places where cars or vegetation can block the view
Some people will never comply with signage. Consider other
communication methods or media, either on their own or in combination with
signage. The alternative methods or media may help to reinforce the
message that the signage is trying to convey.

Design

There are a diverse range of design options for signage. In many cases,
simple solutions using traditional designs will meet most peoples
requirements. However, signage has been incorporated into features such as
gates or fences to make them eye-catching, unique designs. Key points to
consider are:
Robustness A sign may need to be strong enough to withstand vandalism
and people leaning on them. It must be correctly installed so that there is no
danger of it falling on somebody. In some cases a sign may need to
withstand the effects of livestock (who may use a sign as a handy scratching
post) as well as the effect of wind, rain and snow.
Durability A permanent sign may need to last for many years and still be
legible. However, a temporary sign may only need to last a few days. Careful
choice of materials, surface treatments and location will ensure a sign lasts
as long as required whilst being good value.
Easily replaceable If signs do get damaged, then the simpler they are to
replace the lower the maintenance cost. For large artistic designs with inset
panels, make the panels simple to remove and replace. Either have a stock
of replacement panels or an arrangement with the printer to enable new
panels to be produced quickly. It is worth considering placing a bulk order for
extra panels, which should attract a discount, thereby ensuring a saving in
the long term.

WARNING, DANGER AND SAFETY SYMBOLS

MANDATORY SIGNS
They give a positive instruction. In other words they tell you what to
do rather than what not to do.
These signs are blue or green in color.

PROHIBITION SIGNS
These signs are circular with a line across the circle.
used to indicate something is not permitted.
They are red in color.
THREE CLASSIFICATION OF
PROHIBITION SIGNS
1. absolute prohibition
2. qualified prohibition
3. explanatory prohibition

Informative signs

is a very legibly printed and very

noticeable placard that inform people of the purpose of an object,
or gives them instruction on the use of something.

POLE SIGN
ROOFTOP SIGN
CABINET SIGN
SUPER GRAPHIC SIGN