Let’s be honest, we have all been somewhere in public and have seen a sign that was missing key information or was lacking necessary visual elements to help attract you into reading what it said. According to the National Park Service, a sign has 3 seconds to hook a viewer, 30 seconds if they are hooked, and 3 minutes to keep the viewer engaged if they are very interested. If you are unable to captivate your audience within 3 seconds, your message will be lost. Read below to learn some tips about how you can create an appealing sign!
Less is More
Let your content breathe with negative space. Don’t try to pack in too much text or photos. Negative space allows the eyes to reset for a moment and not get overwhelmed by information.
Color Cohesion
Limit your sign’s color palette to 3-5 colors and make sure the colors complement each other. Consider the message you are portraying as you choose your color scheme. For example, don’t use dismal colors when you are talking about a cheery subject.
Font Focus
Limit the amount of fonts you are using on your sign. Sticking to one font with multiple weight options is ideal, but you can use up to 3 fonts before it starts to become overwhelming for your viewer. Use bold, italics, and underlines sparingly to call out pertinent information.
Compositional Balance
Arrange your information in a way that no one item overpowers the rest of the panel. If you are having difficulty, lay out a grid before you start to design to help organize your content.
Visual Hierarchy
Visual Hierarchy allows for easier digestion of information. Provide your readers clear starting points for your panels. Create definitive sections with section titles and use background color blocks to separate content from each other.
A few signage examples that highlight the above tips
Did you know that we can help design your sign?
We understand that juggling multiple projects and designing a sign can be overwhelming. Pannier can step in to alleviate the burden by providing you with top-notch graphic design and illustration services. Whether you find yourself at a standstill or simply wish for a skilled designer to bring your vision to life, we are here to give you back precious time, allowing you to focus on other matters at hand.
For more information on Pannier Graphics’ design services, please fill out a contact form. We look forward to an opportunity to help you with your next signage project!
