Directional signs for businesses are key to a successful office space. These signs help people navigate your building and improve their experience with your company. The best businesses understand the value of quality directional signs and invest in them. As you think about adding office directional signage to your own company, you’ll want to understand what it is, why it’s so popular and how you can use it to your advantage.
What Is Directional Signage?
Directional signage also goes by the name wayfinding or wayfaring signage and is used in a variety of contexts to provide informative messages. The four main uses of this type of signage are to provide directions, designate special zones, give information and name rooms or buildings.
Why Use Wayfaring Signage in an Office?
Directional signs are excellent for office spaces as they improve the experience of visitors to your office and make it a more attractive place to work in. For example, the visitor experience will be immediately improved with strategically placed signs showing them how to navigate your building.
Attractive wayfinding signage gives offices an air of professionalism and shows that your company pays attention to the details. People won’t waste their time looking for the correct office or location. Instead, they can focus on work, unhampered by a confusing office layout.
Types of Directional Signs
As you consider directional signage for your office space, you should know the kinds of signs you can use. Below are the three main types of directional signs:
- Indoor directional signs: This form of directional signage is the most common type of directional signage used in offices. Indoor directional signs typically convey information about restrooms, departments, office or hall spaces, wheelchair accessibility, entry and exit points, cafeterias, breakrooms and much more. These signs help viewers navigate the office space with speed.
- Outdoor directional signs: External wayfinding signage has a similar role as indoor directional signage. It’s crucial to invest in quality exterior signs, as they often provide the first impression customers have of your business. Some of the uses for outdoor directional signs include indicating entryways, exits, office hours, building designations, parking spaces, pathways and terminal areas.
- Digital directional signs: This kind of signage can be used inside or outside your office. It offers a more sleek, modern form of directional signage that’s almost certain to capture the attention of those visiting your office space. Instead of being printed on vinyl or glass, these signs display their messaging on a screen.
Benefits of Office Wayfinding Signage
Wayfinding signage is one of the most practical forms of signage you can add to your office space. It will immediately provide value to both your visitors and your employees, making it a wise investment. The following are the top five benefits of custom directional signs:
1. Guide
When a client or someone else unfamiliar with your office enters it, you want them to know exactly where to go. From the parking lot all the way to the boardroom, wayfinding signage directs visitors, telling them where they should park, what doors to use, which hallways to go down and how they can reach their destination fastest. Along with showing visitors where to go, your signage also can help new employees who are still getting used to the office.
If you want to make a good first impression on a potential client, for example, well placed indoor and outdoor directional signs are instrumental. Instead of a visitor growing frustrated as they try to find your office, directional signs get them to your office space as fast as possible without any extra stress or frustration.
2. Welcome
Another key role of directional signs is to greet visitors and make them feel like their presence is appreciated. These signs are often placed in strategic locations, such as beside or above a doorway, where they can welcome any visitors to the office while also marking the entrance. For companies who regularly host vendors or clients at the office, wayfinding signage that welcomes viewers is key to giving visitors a positive experience.
3. Reassure
Along with welcoming visitors, custom directional signs also improve the experience of clients and vendors by reassuring them. Whenever someone arrives at an office building or large complex, they are going to want to know they’re going in the right direction.
A directional sign will give viewers instant feedback about where they are and if they’re headed in the right direction. This feedback is key to visitors feeling good about the way they’re navigating the space. Additionally, signage can reassure visitors that they are parking in the right spot, using the correct bathrooms and storing their coats properly, among other things. The best companies use this type of signage to proactively take the steps needed to create the most positive experience possible for visitors.
4. Brand
On top of their functional and emotional value, office directional signs give you more room to brand your office space and spread your message. Though the primary function of wayfaring signage is to direct visitors, they also are an excellent canvas for branded colors, logos and images. Having branded graphics on your wayfinding signage adds to their visual appeal and draws more attention to the sign. Additionally, they make your office more attractive for employees, providing appealing accents throughout your space.
If you’re currently promoting a product, service or event that you want visitors to be aware of, you can use directional signage to aid your promotion. With graphics or messages on the sign that point to whatever you’re promoting, you can increase awareness while still directing visitors around your office space. Often, wayfinding signage can be easily swapped out so that you can cost-effectively keep your messages updated.
5. Comply
Quality directional signage helps ensure that you comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that everyone can easily find their way around your building. These signs can also direct people to accessible parking, ramps, walkways, elevators and restrooms, along with other relevant areas. By using these signs, you’ll be complying with federal regulations, and you’ll also improve the experience of those who need accessible features and services.
Consider Directional Signage for Your Office Space
If you want to improve the experience of visitors and your employees, directional signs are a go-to choice for any company. To receive the highest-quality prints on the market today, you’ll want to reach out to SpeedPro. We are the nation’s only franchise specializing in large-format graphics, giving us the expertise and resources to meet your needs.
Find your local studio today to speak with a representative who will be happy to discuss with you how they can help you bring your vision into reality.