The Role of Signage in Environmental Graphic Design

EGD, or Environmental Graphics Design, is a broad array of disciplines that include art, architecture, lighting, graphic design, the landscape, and other fields. All these fields seamlessly blend to enhance user experience through the visual interpretation of ideas.

The term environmental graphic design is often interchangeable with experiential design. They help simulate emotional connections for people, creating a lasting experience that connects people to the place. It enables the people to resonate with the story of an environment through thoughtful signage designs.

Although EGD has several applications and techniques, this article will mainly focus on signages for Environmental Graphic Design.

But why do environmental graphic signs hold so much importance? We can trace the history of these signs back to the stone age era. Cave dwellers used walls to carve out stories of their life and how they lived. The profession came into existence only 40 years ago when the world introduced the idea of spatial concepts to shape existential questions like: What are you looking for? Where is the starting point? Where does the path end?

The Implementation of Environmental Graphics Designs

The greatest asset of signage for environmental graphic design is its adaptability to various situations. Imagine going to a grocery store and not seeing any signs; it sounds like a nightmare.

Since EGD is more focused on how to communicate creative ideas visually, it has unlimited ways in which they can be expressed. Here are some ways where signage designs integrate with EGD to give spectacular results that maintain visual hierarchy and color.

Wayfinding Signage

The name pretty much defines what wayfinding signages do. They help people find their way. These systems solve the problem of tracking location through spatial problem-solving concepts.

Wayfinding signage has one job: to help the person find their location and get from one point to another. You mainly see wayfinding in parking garages, hospitals, or offices. The main job of signages for environmental graphic design is to make the user's experience a bit unique.

Interactive Experience

User experience is crucial for any brand, place, or business. The interactive experience aims at taking the user experience to the next level through active engagement with an entire physical space. This type of experiential signage design resonates with the person's feelings.

These designs are well-researched before their implementation, making them accessible to a broad audience. Hence, a successful design has to be universal and inclusive enough for everyone to understand it.

Public Signs Installation

You have to pay an entry fee to museums or parks, but public signs installations are an everyday example designed to help us navigate our way. Usually, aluminum bade signs are used for this purpose, as they are double-sided and can be seen from many angles at eye level.

If these signs implement through the proper techniques, they can result in unmatched experiential marketing opportunities. These signs help to distinguish a location through its historical context or geographical importance. They create a lasting experience that is memorable for a lifetime.

Placemaking and Identity

This signage for environmental graphic design incorporates one main idea from wayfinding signage: you are here.

It transforms the user's experience in different settings and overwhelms them through unique color, motion, and patterns. For example, placemaking and identity mix with wayfinding tools in places like hospitals, schools, and offices, so users can navigate their way around the space while enjoying the brand.

Exhibition Signage

For some people, places like museums or heritage sites can be tedious. That is where exhibition signage steps in and relays information to the viewer. These environmental signages use interactive design, audio, lighting, and technology to translate information visually.

The main job of this type of signage is to create an inclusive environment for viewers without boring them. The visual design narrates the story of the area or heritage site effectively and attractively.

These signs can either be a single display or be projected through the entire building like museums use them.

Environmental Signage Designs are Just around the Corner!

Signages for environmental graphic design are part of everyday life. They are at every corner without you realizing it. They help you unconsciously identify and resonate with so many things that you never know their importance until they're not there.

These signage designs don't have to be massive or impressive like the examples discussed above; they can even be street signs that tell you to go left or right. What sets these signs apart is their experience with those who use them. If you can remember the sign the next time you cross that same place, the work for the designer is done.