effective sign
TRANSCRIPT
How To Create anEffective Sign
By: Rayn Howayek
Visibility
Readability
Noticeability
Legibility
To Create an Effective Sign
The sign should be sized appropriately for the viewing distance. Generally, you will need 1 cm of letter height for every 1.2 meters of viewing distance. The sign should also be placed in a location with maximum exposure to the target audience.
Visibility
The sign should be organized in a manner that readily conveys its intended message. Key words and phrases should be emphasized with larger letters, bolder typestyles and additional colors. Ideas should be grouped logically and separated by layout and spacing. Graphic elements, especially digital color graphics, can greatly enhance the speed and thoroughness of communications.
Readability
The sign should incorporate some design elements that will help it stand out conspicuously in the landscape. Color contrast, changeable components, motion, uniqueness of design and/or subconscious attraction can serve to make a sign more noticeable.
Noticeability
Typestyle selection is critical to the effectiveness of a sign. The proper font should convey the desired image without sacrificing the ability to distinguish individual letters. Many script and specialty typestyles are difficult to read, especially over greater viewing distances.
Legibility
You may have a great looking sign, but what if your potential customers can’t make out what it’s supposed to mean? Ensuring that potential customers can view and understand your message is vital to your businesses success.
Proper Sign Distance for Optimal Visibility
The distance between your sign and its viewers is the number one factor in determining the type of LED display you will need.
Longer distances require less resolution and shorter distances require higher resolutions.
In addition, if you are traveling at 90 KPH on a freeway, and the
sign is 180 meter away at a truck stop, the text letters must be at least 50 centimeter tall to be legible. Likewise, if you are standing 18 meter away from a street level sign, the letters need only be 5 centimeter tall to be legible.
The rule of thumb is that you need 1 centimeter for every 1.2 meter of viewing distance.
LED Sign Viewing Distance
Letter Height(Centimeter)
Distance ForBest Impact
(meter)
Maximum Readable Distance
(meter)1 1.2 31.5 3 62 6 15
2.5 9 305 12 457.5 18 6120 25 10723 27 122
25.5 30 13730.5 36.5 16038 46 190
Below is a chart that advises on the appropriate letter height for readability at
certain distances.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Type Case
roomROOM
Characters must be uppercase or Lowercase for easy legibility?
Uppercase Lettering Lowercase Lettering
Type Case
roomROOM
Characters must be uppercase for easy legibility.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Uppercase Lettering Lowercase Lettering
Font Style
ROOMROOM
Characters must be serif or sans serif ?
Tactile & Visual Characters
serif Sans serif
Font Style
ROOMROOM
Characters must be of a sans serif font style; characters cannot be italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
Tactile & Visual Characters
serif Sans serif
Character Height
Minimum and Maximum character height:
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum Maximum
Character Height
Text limitations may exist due to minimum and maximum character height requirements per individual sign.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum Maximum
Width-to-Height Ratio
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum Maximum
Width-to-Height Ratio
Characters must not appear too wide. Characters must not appear too narrow.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum 55% Maximum 110%
Stroke-to-Height Ratio
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum Maximum
Stroke-to-Height Ratio
Characters must not appear too thin.Characters must not appear too thick.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Minimum 10% Maximum 15%
Character Spacing
Minimum 1/8 Maximum 3/8
1/8 - 3/8 spacing between the two closest points of adjacent tactile characters.
Tactile & Visual Characters
Proper Sign Color and Contrast
A high color contrast factor will improve legibility. Here are the best combinations, ranked in order of legibility from a distance.
Proper Sign Color and Contrast
Color Combination Effects
Contrast Solutions
Using Proper Sign Materials Standard Calendared Vinyl Premium Cast Vinyl Specialty Vinyl Fabric Wind Mesh
Sign Design Elements
Thank you
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