4 Surefire Ways to Design 100% Readable Signage
The case, color, font, and size of lettering can make all the difference.
The legibility and readability of written text and printed characters are fundamental to designing signage that works. While there are building code requirements and accessibility standards in signage design, these guidelines can vary by country and further by city. Even the best practices typically only consider the extremes of human conditions, like complete blindness.
Think of the mandatory inclusion of braille on most signs when only 7% of those who are legally blind read braille. 65% of the world’s population has imperfect vision. There’s a 2 in 3 chance that you are using corrective lenses to read this right now. So, how is signage designed for “the majority” or “the norm”? What about those who are color blind or neurodivergent with difficulties like dyslexia?
Here, the brandx-perts, HLW’s in-house signage, wayfinding, and brand experience team, offer four surefire tips on how to make signage more legible and inclusive.
Authors:
Chanel Dehond, Senior Associate, Global Director, HLW International | brandx
Carolina Madrigal, Senior Associate, Creative Director, HLW International | brandx
Anna Gibertini, Brand Writer, HLW