Signage, also known as signage or wayfinding, encompasses all visual elements that convey information and help people navigate within an environment. This includes directional signs, signage, pictograms, symbols, and other graphic elements that facilitate clear and intuitive navigation.

Signage is a crucial component of environmental and interior design, serving multiple purposes. Primarily, signage provides orientation and navigation by offering users clear guidance on how to navigate an environment. Thereby easing the process of locating destinations and reducing uncertainty. Additionally, signage plays a significant role in information dissemination by providing relevant details such as location information, operating hours, or safety instructions.

Typically, signage begins outdoors to provide overarching orientation. External signs welcome visitors and provide an initial overview of the area’s layout. This includes entrance signage, which serves as prominent, highly visible signs at the entrance, displaying the facility’s name and initial points of reference. Parking guidance systems also fall under this category, offering directional signage and information to assist drivers in finding parking and navigating from the parking lot to the facility.

Within a building or complex, signage becomes more detailed and specific to ensure clear and intuitive navigation. This includes room signage, which provides detailed information about individual rooms such as room names, numbers, and functions. Additionally, floor plans and directories provide overview maps and lists to offer a comprehensive view of the building’s structure. Wayfinding systems are also utilized, featuring systematically placed signs and directional markers to provide clear guidance towards important destinations such as exits, elevators, or specific departments.