Last week, I walked into a building for a meeting only to find myself rushing around to figure out where I was going. My co-worker and I had come in through what turned out to be the back door…which was conveniently located right next to the elevator, but lacked any sort of directional signage that would tell us where we were going or heck, if we were even in the right building. After some fumbling through the building, we found a directory and headed upstairs.
After hopping off on the third floor, we were faced with mystery number two. Surrounded by about six different office doors, we were stumped as to which door led to what company. Finally, we flagged someone down who directed us to where we needed to go. Ironically enough, we were there to do a survey for a sign installation. And after our visit there it was clear that yes, they desperately needed those signs.
This got me thinking. Never are we so desperate for signs and direction than when we don’t have them. You see, the thing about good signage is that it typically goes unnoticed. But we immediately notice poor signage because it fails to achieve its purpose; which in this case was to seamlessly guide us from place to place.
Never have I noticed signs or lack thereof as much as I do now working at sign company. Everyone here said it would happen and low and behold, it has. But really, back to the point, without signs we’re lost. Ever drive on a road long enough or far enough that you feel like you haven’t seen a sign in hours? It probably makes you feel that slight panic wondering if you’re even headed in the right direction. Or have you ever tried to find a bathroom in a hallway of unmarked doors? Sure, in our own homes it’s not a necessity, but out in public, signs are essential. Without signs, we’d have people driving the wrong way on the freeway, going into the utility closet instead of the bathroom, parking wherever they felt like it and walking into banks thinking they’re restaurants….oh wait that last one actually happened to our friends over at Black Ridge Bank.
My point is, without signs, we end up directionless and without direction, we end up lost. So here’s the deal; signs are important. Whether it be wayfinding signs that tell you where to go, conference rooms signs that notify you of a meeting in progress, office signs that let you know of a company’s hours, door signs that tell you you’re in the right place, medical office signs that inform patients and visitors…really we could go on and on and on. Signage is important. And good signage is even more important.
So next time you’re out and about and can’t find the elevator, the bathroom, the exit, the stairs or whatever it may be, give us a call, seriously. We’d love to help you out…it’s kind of what we do.
