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.
