What if all signs were designed for everyone to read?

Title: What if all signs were designed for everyone to read?

I get the idea behind making everything super accessible, and honestly, I think a lot of it would help - especially bigger fonts and better contrast. Those changes don’t really hurt anyone, and they make life easier for folks with vision issues or just when you’re squinting in bad lighting.

But I do wonder about the practical side. I’ve seen some places try to cram every possible feature onto a sign - braille, multiple languages, symbols, even QR codes - and it can get pretty busy fast. Sometimes you end up with a sign that’s so cluttered you can’t find what you need anyway. There’s a balance between helpful and overwhelming.

I guess it comes down to smart design. If you can add accessibility features without turning every sign into a billboard, great. But if every bathroom door starts talking at me when I walk by... yeah, that might be a bit much.

There’s a balance between helpful and overwhelming.

Totally get what you mean. I remember visiting a new eco-friendly office building last year - every sign had braille, three languages, icons, and even a little tactile map. It was impressive, but honestly, I had to stop and stare just to figure out where the elevators were. I love the push for accessibility, but sometimes less is more. Good design should guide you without making you work for it, you know? Still, I’d take a slightly busy sign over one that leaves people out any day.

I’ve run into this a few times, especially in newer buildings that really try to cover all the accessibility bases. There’s this one community center near me - every sign is loaded with info: braille, raised icons, color codes, three languages, and even QR codes for audio directions. It’s impressive, but honestly, I caught myself just standing there, scanning for what I actually needed.

I get why they do it, and I respect the intention, but sometimes I wonder if we’re overcomplicating things. Is there a way to design signage that’s both inclusive and intuitive, without turning every wall into a user manual? Maybe layering info - like having the basics up front and extra details available if you need them - could help. Or maybe it’s about smarter placement rather than just more content.

At the same time, I’d rather have too much info than not enough. Excluding people isn’t an option. But yeah, it’s tricky. Has anyone seen a system that really nails that balance? I feel like there’s got to be a sweet spot we’re just not hitting yet...

TITLE: WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

That’s a good point about the “wall of info” effect. I’ve noticed it too, especially in hospitals - sometimes you’re just trying to find the restroom, but the sign is packed with so much detail it takes a minute to process. I wonder if a tiered approach would work, like you said: clear, bold basics at eye level, then maybe tactile or audio options nearby for those who need them. It might keep things cleaner visually but still accessible. I do think there’s a balance, but it probably depends a lot on the space and who’s using it most.

I do think there’s a balance, but it probably depends a lot on the space and who’s using it most.

That “wall of info” effect you mentioned is so real - hospitals are notorious for it. I think your idea of a tiered approach is spot on. Having “clear, bold basics at eye level, then maybe tactile or audio options nearby” could make a huge difference. In my experience, the trickiest part is balancing clarity with inclusivity. Sometimes, less is more visually, but you’re right - it really depends on who’s using the space and how frantic things get. It’s encouraging to see more places experimenting with layered signage, though.

Title: Layered Signage Makes a Lot of Sense

I’ve run into that “wall of info” problem more times than I can count, especially on job sites or in big public buildings. You walk in and there’s just this sea of signs - half the time you end up missing the one thing you actually need to know. I get why hospitals do it, but man, it can be overwhelming.

That idea of tiered signage is pretty clever. I’ve seen some newer commercial spaces try it out - big, simple signs for the basics (restrooms, exits), then smaller or more detailed stuff tucked away for folks who need it. It’s not perfect, but it beats the old “throw everything on one board” approach.

One thing I’ve noticed is that people don’t always agree on what’s “clear.” What makes sense to me might not click for someone else, especially if they’re stressed or in a hurry. And then there’s accessibility - braille, audio cues, high-contrast colors... all great ideas, but sometimes they get tacked on as an afterthought instead of being part of the plan from the start.

Honestly, I think less is usually more when it comes to signage. If you can’t figure out where to go with a quick glance, something’s off. But yeah, like you said - it depends on who’s using the space and how chaotic things get. In a hospital or airport, maybe you need more layers. In a small office or home? Probably not so much.

Funny enough, I had a client once who wanted every possible instruction posted in their mudroom - laundry tips, shoe rules, even how to use the dog door. After a week nobody read any of it because there was just too much going on. We ended up paring it down to two simple signs and suddenly everyone got it.

Guess my take is: start simple, add layers only if you really need them, and make sure you’re thinking about everyone who might walk through - not just the folks designing the space.

If every sign was made for everyone, I think we'd end up with those giant boards packed with info again. I get why people want to cover all the bases, but honestly, it just gets confusing and nobody reads them anyway. I had a renovation project where the building manager wanted every policy and instruction posted in the lobby to “make sure nothing gets missed.” Looked like a wallpaper of rules - total overkill. People just ignored it all.

I’m all for accessibility, but there’s a balance. You can add braille or audio, but if the main message isn’t clear and quick to spot, the rest doesn’t matter much. For me, a good sign should answer the question in your head right when you need it - no hunting around. Overcomplicating it just adds cost, too. Simple, direct, and as few signs as possible... that’s my approach.

Honestly, I’ve run into the same issue on job sites - too many signs and nobody pays attention. Here’s what’s worked for me:

- Prioritize the most critical info.
- Use icons or color coding for quick recognition.
- Keep wording short, but clear.
- Place signs exactly where the info’s needed, not just at the entrance.

Trying to make every sign for every possible reader just muddies things. I get the push for accessibility, but if the main message gets lost, it defeats the purpose. Sometimes less really is more.

I totally get where you’re coming from - sometimes on high-end builds, I’ll walk in and there’s a forest of signs, half of which nobody even notices. But then I think about guests or clients who aren’t familiar with the space, and maybe they actually need more guidance than we do. Do you ever find that what seems obvious to us just isn’t for someone else? Curious how you balance that without making the place look cluttered.

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I get what you mean about the sign overload. Walked into a new office building last month, and I swear, it was like being in Times Square - arrows, warnings, “Do Not Enter,” “This Way to Reception,” and then, tucked behind a plant, a tiny “Restrooms” sign. I had to laugh.

Here’s the thing though - what seems totally obvious when you’re knee-deep in a project just isn’t for someone seeing it fresh. I’ve seen clients get lost in spaces I thought were basically foolproof. But there’s got to be a middle ground, right? Too many signs and nobody reads them. Too few and everyone’s wandering around like it’s a corn maze.

Honestly, I’m skeptical that we can ever design something that works for literally everyone. People just tune stuff out after a point. Maybe the trick is less about more signs and more about smarter placement or better design? Just my two cents... sometimes less really is more, but only if you do it right.

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not convinced it’s all about smarter design or placement. Sometimes, people just don’t pay attention, no matter what you do. I’ve built a few houses and done some renos for friends, and you’d be surprised how many folks walk right past a big, bold “Caution: Wet Paint” sign and still end up with green streaks on their pants. Doesn’t matter if the sign’s neon or has a cartoon on it - some people just don’t look.

Honestly, I think part of the problem is we assume signs can do all the work. In my experience, layout matters as much as signage. If you need a dozen arrows to get to the bathroom, maybe the hallway’s too confusing in the first place. Sometimes it’s not about more or better signs - it’s about making spaces that are just easier to figure out without needing a roadmap taped to every wall.

Not saying signs aren’t important, but I wouldn’t bet on any design working for “everyone.” Some folks just have tunnel vision...

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

You nailed it with layout being just as important as signage. I’ve seen some luxury builds where the design is so intuitive you barely need a sign at all - everything just kind of flows and makes sense. But then you visit some high-end places with a maze of hallways and tiny plaques, and even the fanciest signs don’t help.

I do wonder, though, how much of this comes down to habit. People get used to ignoring signs because they’re everywhere - sort of like ad blindness online. If every sign was perfectly clear and in-your-face, would folks just tune them out even more? Or would it actually make a difference if every single sign was designed for universal understanding? Curious if anyone’s seen a place that actually got this right...

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I keep coming back to this with my own place. When we were building, I thought about putting up those cute little “pantry” and “laundry” signs, but honestly, I realized if someone can’t find the laundry room in a house with only six doors, a label probably isn’t going to help much. It’s funny - sometimes less is more, right? Like, the best design just sort of guides you without needing to yell at you with a sign.

But then again, I’ve been in airports where the signage is so clear and consistent that you can’t possibly get lost (unless you’re me before coffee). Everything’s color-coded, big fonts, icons - super straightforward. That’s one of the few times I’ve seen universal signage actually work. But even there, if you’re rushing or distracted, you still miss stuff. Maybe there’s only so much a sign can do before it just blends into the scenery.

I kind of agree with the “ad blindness” thing. When you see signs everywhere - especially those tiny gold ones in fancy lobbies - you just stop noticing them. It almost feels like there’s a sweet spot: enough signage that people can find what they need, but not so much that it turns into wallpaper. And honestly, if the layout is intuitive, you barely need signs at all.

I guess for public spaces where tons of different people are passing through (like hospitals or airports), universal design makes sense. But in smaller or private spaces? Sometimes a good floor plan is worth way more than any amount of signage.

It almost feels like there’s a sweet spot: enough signage that people can find what they need, but not so much that it turns into wallpaper.

This hits home for me. I once worked on a boutique hotel lobby where the owner wanted signs for literally everything - “Reception,” “Lounge,” “Restrooms,” even “Elevator” right above the elevator doors. It ended up looking like a train station, and guests still asked staff for directions. We eventually pared it back and focused on lighting and sightlines instead. Funny how people just *felt* their way around after that. Sometimes the space itself should do the talking, you know?

I get where you’re coming from. I’ve had clients insist on labeling every cabinet and closet in a new build, thinking it’d help guests. But honestly, too many signs just blend together. I’ve found that if you lay out a space logically - clear paths, good lighting - people rarely get lost. Signs should fill in the gaps, not cover up design flaws.

Signs should fill in the gaps, not cover up design flaws.

Totally agree with this. I’ve always wondered - if a space needs a label on every single door, is it really designed for people to move around naturally? Sometimes I’ll walk into a spec home that’s so over-labeled it feels like walking through an airport. Ever notice how the best hotel lobbies barely need signs? It’s like the space just tells you where to go. Maybe that’s the real goal.

I get what you’re saying, but sometimes I think signs are a bit of a safety net, especially in public spaces where people aren’t familiar with the layout. I’ve seen some open-concept homes where it’s not obvious which door leads to the pantry or the garage - makes me wonder if there’s a balance between intuitive design and practical labeling. How much do you think user habits should influence the way we design spaces?

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I get the need for signs, but I actually think we sometimes rely on them too much. When we built our place, I pushed for clearer sightlines and logical flow instead of labels everywhere. It took a bit to get used to, but now it feels more natural - like the space teaches you how to use it. Maybe if we focused more on intuitive layouts, people wouldn’t need as many signs in the first place?

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

Funny you mention this - on one of my last projects, we tried to cut down on signs, thinking “hey, let’s just make the space make sense.” Turns out, people still got lost. There was this one hallway that looked like it led somewhere important, but nope, just a broom closet. We ended up putting a sign anyway. I do think intuitive design is key, but sometimes folks just want that reassurance they’re not about to walk into a janitor’s meeting by accident. Guess it’s all about balance...