If you’re investing in quality effective signage, you’ll want to ensure you make the most of your signs by using eye-catching and functional design. Whether you’re utilising signage to increase brand awareness, attract customers, promote your brand, or optimise sales opportunities, good design is key to turning your signage goals into reality. The importance of designing memorable signage can be overlooked, yet it’s the design which really makes the impact. Read on and find out top design tips to get the most out of your signage.
1. Pick colours carefully
Colours invoke moods and behaviours, so it’s worth researching into your brand colour pallet and find out the marketing psychology behind your colour choices. Bright colours tend to be noticed quickly and make a strong impact, along with contrasting or unusual colour matches. It’s a good idea to identify your particular signage goals and pick colours and design that will help you achieve your objective. Perhaps you want to attract customers, so making a statement will draw them in, or maybe you wish to increase brand awareness, so a classic pallet will work well for your aims.
2. Keep it clear and concise
It’s really important to choose a clear message that’s easy to read on the go, as most people will only quickly glance at signage so you want to get your message across clearly, concisely and quickly. Readability should really be your primary design objective. Choose fonts that are easy to read and won’t overtake from the message you’re trying to get across. It can be tempting to add a lot of information, but when it comes to signage design for text, follow the less is more rule.
3. Consider the design hierarchy
The hierarchy shows people what to pay attention to and read on your sign first. Playing with the text size can help with this, with larger text more prominent and attention-grabbing, and secondary information in a smaller font. People read left to right, and top to bottom, so making your top line the largest and primary message, then working down, is a common effective approach. The weight of your signage font also affects hierarchy, using bolder heavier typefaces draws the eye in and adds visual dominance to your key message.
4. Avoid clutter
In visual design, there’s a significance of utilising “white space” which is the area of design that’s not filled up with text or graphics. This space balances the overall design, helping to create an aesthetically pleasing layout which draws in the eye. The empty space around your key message, logo, or graphics is just as important as the design elements themselves. For optimal readability leave 30-40% empty space - which can be a simple block colour.
5. Add the wow factor
You’ll be well on your way to create your ideal sign when taking into account clarity, hierarchy and contrast, it’s time to add a wow factor. You’ll want your sign to stand out from the rest, so don’t be afraid to play with creative elements such as different colour complications or fonts, play on words messaging, or an unusual graphic.
Interested in investing in signage with effective design to help meet your business goals? Contact Signwise today, sign experts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch