A successful sign project starts long before anything goes to production.
Whether you’re planning interpretive signs for a trail, historical markers, directional signage, a business sign, or a larger sign system, there are many decisions that need to be made first. The purpose, audience, location, content, materials, readability, installation, maintenance, and budget all affect the final result.
I developed these Sign Planning Guidelines as a starting point to help businesses, organizations, municipalities, historical groups, and other clients think through those decisions before beginning a project.
Start With the Purpose
The first question is simple: Why does the site need signs?
Consider what you hope to accomplish and who will be using them. Who is your target audience? Why are visitors coming to the site? What information do they need?
You’ll also need to consider where signs will be installed, how many may be required, their approximate sizes, who will install and maintain them, and whether there are accessibility requirements.
What Type of Sign Do You Need?
Not all signs serve the same purpose.
Interpretive signs are designed to inform, educate, or entertain. They may explain something about the landscape, environment, history, or another feature visitors might otherwise miss.
Historical signs and markers are generally more informational, sharing the significance of a place, structure, person, or event.
Informational and directional signs help visitors navigate a site and may communicate directions, hours, services, rules, or other practical information.
Determining the purpose of each sign is an important part of creating an overall sign plan and visitor experience.
Research and Content
Once the number and types of signs have been determined, content development can begin.
Who will research the subject? Who will write the text? Who is responsible for reviewing and approving the final information?
High-resolution photographs, illustrations, maps, charts, and other graphics will also need to be provided or created. Any photographs or artwork must have the proper permissions for use.
Designing for the Environment
Sign design requires a different approach than designing a brochure or website.
Readability is especially important. A sign needs to be interesting, easy to understand, and appropriate for the distance and environment in which it will be viewed. Photographs, maps, artwork, typography, and other elements also need to be suitable for large-format production.
The sign itself is only one part of the design. The surrounding site, mounting system, materials, durability, maintenance requirements, accessibility, and even the potential for vandalism should be considered when determining the best solution.
Proof Before Production
Proof everything.
Before a sign goes into production, carefully review all text, dates, names, photographs, logos, credits, maps, and other information.
Unlike a digital project, correcting an error after a sign has been fabricated can be costly. Final approvals are an important part of the process.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Sign Project
The cost and timeline of a sign project can vary considerably.
The number and size of signs, research and writing requirements, approval process, graphics, materials, mounting systems, fabrication, delivery, and installation can all affect the scope of the project.
That’s why thoughtful planning at the beginning can make the entire design and production process more efficient.
Sign Design in Practice
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to design signs, maps, exhibits, and interpretive materials for a wide variety of sites and organizations.
Projects have included interpretive signage for French Azilum, an entrance sign for Camp Kelly, and an informational rain barrel decal for Penn State.
For Keystone College, I designed trail maps and informational signs about wildlife along the college’s back-campus trails, with the map also adapted for use as a handout brochure.
Other projects have included historical signs for the former timber towns of Forksville and Ricketts, a sensory trail sign along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, county recreation maps, D&H Rail-Trail historical signs, and Trolley Trail signage.
Each project is different, but the goal is the same: create something that communicates clearly, works within its environment, and serves the people who will use it.
Download the Complete Sign Planning Guidelines
The complete DDH Design Sign Planning Guidelines includes the planning checklist along with photographs and examples of interpretive, historical, directional, trail, business, and organizational signage designed by DDH Design.
View the Complete Sign Planning Guidelines PDF
