WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
Some icons just don’t translate—like, is that a laundry room or a storage closet?
That really hits home. We just finished our first custom build last year, and picking all the little details—like signs—turned out to be way more complicated than I ever expected. I thought it’d be as simple as picking a cute icon for each room, but then my mom visited and literally stood in front of the “pantry” door for a full minute, trying to decide if it was a bathroom or a closet. The icon was this generic box with a little handle... could’ve been anything.
I tried adding labels underneath, but that started to look cluttered, and like you said, not everyone reads English easily. My partner’s parents speak mostly Spanish, so we ended up with a bit of a mishmash—icons, words in two languages, and even a tiny graphic of bread for the pantry. It’s not exactly minimalist design anymore, but at least people know where the snacks are.
Color coding seemed like a smart idea until my cousin pointed out he’s colorblind. Apparently, green and red look almost identical to him, so our big idea for “go” (kitchen) and “stop” (bathroom) totally flopped. Never would’ve thought of that if he hadn’t mentioned it.
I guess there’s no perfect solution. Maybe it’s always going to be a bit subjective, like you said. For now, we just lean into the chaos—if someone opens the wrong door, they get a laugh out of it. Honestly, it’s become kind of a running joke. Maybe that’s the real universal language: confusion and laughter.
In the end, I think as long as folks can eventually find what they’re looking for (and aren’t too embarrassed by walking into a closet), that’s probably good enough.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched people wander around a new office space, squinting at those “universal” icons. One time, a client insisted on this super sleek triangle for the restroom... looked more like a warning sign than anything else. People kept asking if it was an alarm closet or something. At some point, I think the best you can do is make sure the most important doors are obvious, and let the rest be part of the adventure.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
That triangle restroom sign sounds familiar—I’ve seen a few “creative” icons that just left people scratching their heads. It’s interesting how design intent and real-world use don’t always line up. I keep wondering, is there really a universal symbol that works for everyone, or do we just assume people will figure it out eventually?
I’ve worked on projects where clients wanted super minimal signage, thinking it looked cleaner. But then you get folks wandering into the wrong rooms or asking for directions every five minutes. At what point does the aesthetic outweigh function? I get that some signs can be part of the “exploration,” but for spaces like restrooms or exits, isn’t clarity more important than style?
Would it make sense to test signage with people who aren’t involved in the design process at all—just to see if it actually makes sense to fresh eyes? Or do most people just adapt over time, even if the signs are a bit confusing at first?
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I’ve definitely seen the “minimal” thing go wrong—once got lost in a hotel because all the signs were just little dots and lines. Looked cool, but I just wanted to find the bathroom, not solve a puzzle. Testing with random people sounds smart, honestly. Saves money on fixing things later, too.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I totally get what you mean about those “artsy” signs. I stayed at this boutique place once where the room numbers were just tiny embossed dots—looked fancy, but I had to squint and basically guess which door was mine. Honestly, I’d rather have something clear and maybe a little less stylish if it means I’m not wandering around lost. Testing with actual guests before installing signs everywhere seems like common sense, but I guess design sometimes wins over practicality...