It’s not about making everything look the same, but making sure people don’t get lost trying to find the exit, you know?
Yeah, totally get that. When we built our place, I wanted signs that actually made sense—like, you shouldn’t have to squint or guess where the bathroom is. But I still wanted them to look cool. There’s a balance between “artsy” and “where the heck am I?”
There’s a balance between “artsy” and “where the heck am I?”
That’s honestly the trickiest part, isn’t it? I’ve seen places where the signs are so “creative” you can’t even tell what they’re for. Once, I was at this restaurant with these abstract bathroom signs—looked cool, but nobody could figure out which was which. People kept walking into the wrong one.
What worked for us was starting with super clear text and icons, then adding a bit of style around that. Like, pick a font that’s easy to read from a distance (no fancy scripts), use high-contrast colors, and then maybe frame it or add some subtle design touches. That way, you get something that fits your vibe but still does its job.
It’s not about making everything bland or boring—just making sure folks aren’t wandering around confused. You nailed it: form and function can totally work together if you plan it out step by step.
Title: Clear Signs Save Headaches (And Embarrassment)
- Been there with the “artsy” signs—one time I was working on a custom home, and the client wanted these super modern, minimalist room labels. Looked slick in the renderings, but once they were up? No one could tell which door was which. Even the electrician got lost trying to find the laundry room.
- Here’s what I’ve learned after a few of those mix-ups:
- High-contrast colors are your friend. Black on white, white on dark blue, whatever pops.
- Simple icons work best. If you have to squint or guess, it’s not doing its job.
- Fonts matter more than people think. Fancy script looks cool until you’re trying to read it from down the hall with your arms full of groceries.
- Placement is huge. If you put a sign too high or low, folks just miss it.
- I get wanting things to look unique—nobody wants their place to feel like an airport terminal—but there’s a line. If someone’s gotta stop and puzzle over a sign, it’s failed.
- One client insisted on these tiny brass numbers for bedrooms. Stylish, sure... but at night? You couldn’t see them unless you had a flashlight. Ended up swapping them out for bigger, backlit ones after too many guests ended up in the wrong room.
- There’s always a way to blend style and function, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with function every time. Saves everyone a lot of confusion (and awkward moments).
Funny how something as simple as a sign can make or break how comfortable people feel in a space.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
Totally agree—function over form, every time. But I always wonder, how do you balance making signs readable for literally everyone? Like, what about folks with vision issues, or people who don’t speak the language? I’ve had clients push for “universal” icons, but even those can get confusing. Ever notice how a laundry symbol can look like a mailbox if you’re not paying attention? Maybe there’s no perfect solution, but I do think we could get closer if more designers actually tested their signs in real life, not just on paper. Curious if anyone’s found a foolproof approach...
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
You nailed it about icons being confusing—I've seen so many restroom signs that leave people scratching their heads. In my job, we try to use both icons and simple words, but even then, someone always gets lost. Once had a tenant think the “no smoking” sign was a “no campfires” symbol... Not sure there’s a magic fix, but I do think testing with real people (not just designers) makes a huge difference. Sometimes the most obvious solution on paper is just not obvious in real life.
