Let’s face it, we all get lost at times. Satnavs and route m
aps are all very well, but they won’t help you inside a large office building or guide you round a big shopping mall.
When you need something physical and immediate to show which way you should be heading, nothing works better than a directional sign. These can be designed in a variety of shapes and colors, but they commonly have two major components. There’s a large arrow, which is hard to beat when it comes to expressing a direction clearly. Then there’s your destination, which is usually in text but is sometimes expressed as an icon.
Without enough direction signs, visitors could be walking around, lost, until they leave in frustration. If they were trying to find your premises, you’ve just lost clients. Or, in the case of a municipal office, you’ve got disgruntled citizens on your hands.
It’s too easy to assume that because you know your surroundings, a new visitor will too. Outdoor signs lead visitors to the right building, but you shouldn’t neglect the fact that, once inside, they will need to find the correct room or office.
Don’t do half the job. You need outdoor and indoor signs to guide visitors to their correct destination.
People like to feel in control, especially when they are in unknown surroundings. Once they start to lose that control, they can become frustrated, even angry. Having your clients in that frame of mind when you meet for the first time is not the best start to a relationship.
The best material for outdoor directional signs is heavy-duty aluminum, which won’t rust. Metal gives a sense of reassurance too. It suggests reliability and solidity and helps build trust.
A popular alternative to metal is wood. It’s a eco-friendly material, which can be used to encourage a more informal relationship than metal. It’s a good choice if you want to make your clients feel at ease with you and your business. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry also have a beautiful, natural grain and finish. They need regular maintenance, but the extra effort is worth it.
For indoor directional signs, weatherproofing is not an issue, so a wider range of materials can be used. Again, steel, bronze, and brass look very distinguished. Acrylic is cheaper, however, and easier to keep clean. Wood falls somewhere between.
The most important consideration is always that your directional signs make new clients feel in control and that they know you have considered them. Call or email Pure Image Signs and Graphics today for directional signs that will show your clients that you put their needs first.
Written by: Pure Image Signs and Graphics – Maple Ridge, BC