To ensure shoppers or visitors don’t get lost in a large building, use wayfinding signage. As 68% of customers think signs reflect the quality of a business, you want signs that have a lasting impact. Here’s how you can give your office directory signs the ‘wow’ effect.

How to perk up your office directory signs

You will typically find directory signs in:

  • Restrooms
  • Auditoriums
  • Office buildings
  • Condo complex
  • Reception areas
  • Multi-tenant facility

When placed near entranceways, exits, or key waypoints, the building signs give directions to residents, companies, classrooms, or retailers.

People, offices, designations, and rosters of tenants change over time, falsifying the signs. Or maybe you feel changing the directory signage will do the building a world of good. Either way, here’s how to keep the directory signs fresh:

1. Changeable paper inserts

Some directory signs let you change the paper containing the graphics. They have a glass, plastic, or clear acrylic front panel with interchangeable paper inserts. The great thing about this is you can create your own designs on paper to replace the current one.

2. Dynamic digital content

Digital content is the easiest to change, making it by far the most versatile of this bunch. Easily update information on computer software and project it to a screen, as seen in digital signage.

3. Changeable nameplates

These contain laser engraved metal or plastic plates with a lockable clear front panel, just like the paper inserts. Although these are more robust than their plastic counterparts, you need professional help when custom engraving name strips or plates.

What to look for

If you want to present a professional image and a positive first impression, go for the following:

i. Illumination

Different forms of illumination can make your directory signage conspicuous and increase the beauty of your interior spaces. You can choose from these types of lighting:

  • Fluorescent
  • LED lighting
  • Backlit building
  • Non-illuminated

ii. Digital signage

You won’t find a more dynamic form of digital directory signs than digital signage. It is a top notch avenue for creating dynamic and captivating content. In addition, it offers easy updating of content by logging in from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

You can take advantage of digital signage using TV walls, digital posters, and other indoor or outdoor digital signage to show a lot of information, such as:

  • Sport feeds
  • Stock prices
  • Digital listings
  • Weather conditions
  • Location of stores
  • Digital directories
  • Inspirational quotes
  • Digital lobby directories
  • Navigation to the desired destination

Since 70% of customers have purchased products based on its signage, use digital signage to create a good initial impression. Whatever your signage budget, you will soon realize the informational value of such displays.

iii. Freestanding styles

Freestanding signs are generally the first signs you encounter, and some with their touch-screen interfaces increase functionality. They include stand-alone directories like:

  • Kiosk lobby directories
  • Pedestal mounted lobby sign
  • Freestanding indoor directories
  • Interactive building directories

iv. Wall mounted directories

Turn a bare wall into a room’s focal point with a wall-mounted directory. This is perhaps the most common form of signage, but a good one can transform the décor of any office. Examples of wall-mounted directories include:

  • Surface-mounted
  • Recessed
  • Framed

v. Disability compliance

The American Disability Act (ADA) requires all commercial facilities and all new constructions or modifications to be Disabilities Act. That includes building directories with:

  • Symbols
  • Braille
  • Pictograms
  • Tactile graphics

Properties of an attractive sign

a. Customizability

The sign should have space to include unique details differentiating you from other businesses. For instance, there should be room for:

  • Business hours
  • Logo, address, and business name
  • For exterior building directories, map for easy wayfinding
  • Outdoor advertising directory should have space for the corporate message

b. Updateable

You may change office locations, have a member of staff move on, or a tenant move out. These happen all the time, so you need your directory signs to keep up with the times.

c. Versatile

Just because a directory sign looked awesome on one office wall does not mean it would on another. A sign should catch the eye when mounted, be it the ceiling, pedestal, building front, or recessed on a wall.

d. Secure

Part of keeping a sign sparkling is keeping it secure, which means getting a rugged, and weather and tamper-resistant sign. A sheltered sign should keep looking good for a long time.

Conclusion

If you want office directory signs that stand out, then digital signage is the way to go. It will point you in the right direction, display a weather update, or provide a tenant’s information.

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