Savannah is undeniably beautiful, but navigating its historic streets or sprawling new facilities can sometimes be a delightful challenge! For any business, campus, or organization in the Hostess City, effective directional wayfinding signage is the secret ingredient to a great first—and lasting—impression.

Wayfinding is more than just placing a few signs; it’s a strategic system that smoothly guides everyone from eager tourists to new employees.

The Two Worlds of Directional Signs: External and Internal

Effective wayfinding must be seamless, guiding people from the moment they arrive in an area to the moment they walk out the door of their specific destination. We break this into two main components:

1. External (Urban) Wayfinding

This is your public-facing guidance. In Savannah, this includes signs along major streets, near parking garages, and guiding pedestrians through the Historic District.

• Vehicular Directional Signs: Large, strategically placed signs on roadways that guide drivers to major destinations, districts, and crucial parking areas. These prioritize ease of readability at a distance and higher speeds.
• Pedestrian Directional Signs: Found in high-foot-traffic areas like River Street or the squares. These often feature maps, points of interest, and clear arrows guiding walkers to museums, restaurants, or transit stops.

2. Internal Wayfinding

Once a person is inside your building, campus, or complex, the internal system takes over.

• Directional Signs: Placed at key decision points (intersections, stairwells, elevator lobbies) to guide the flow of traffic toward rooms, departments, or exits.
• Identification Signs: Confirm arrival, such as room numbers, department names, or restroom signs.
• Informational/Regulatory Signs: Provide details like hours of operation, facility rules, or emergency evacuation routes.

Designing a System That Works (and Looks Good!)

The best wayfinding systems aren’t just functional; they’re beautiful extensions of your organization. Here are the key elements that make a system shine:

• Branding Continuity: Your unique color palette, logo placement, and typography should be consistent throughout the entire system. This not only reinforces your identity (the “flow of branding”) but also tells a visitor, “You are still in the right place.” A system that maintains the same look, feel, and sign placement minimizes confusion. If the arrow to the lobby is at eye level in Building A, it should be at eye level in Building B.
• Clarity and Legibility: If a visitor has to stop and squint, the sign has failed! Using high-contrast colors (light text on a dark background or vice-versa) and clean, sans-serif fonts ensures maximum visibility. Directions should also be brief. People are looking for a name and an arrow, not a paragraph. A clear pictogram or universally recognized symbol often works better than text.
• Convenience is King: Great wayfinding anticipates needs. This means placing directional signs before a decision point (like a hallway intersection) and ensuring everything is positioned for convenience and ADA compliance. A well-planned system saves time, cuts frustration, and reduces the need for staff to constantly give directions!

In Savannah, where first impressions count, a cohesive wayfinding strategy is your silent ambassador. It shows professionalism, respects your visitor’s time, and makes exploring your destination a pleasure. We can help you fix the puzzle, contact us today!