WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I totally get what you mean about the gold script—I've had clients fall in love with a font or color scheme that just doesn't work in real life. One project comes to mind: a community center where the board wanted everything in this super stylized typeface. Looked cool, but half the visitors (especially older folks) couldn't read it. We ended up switching to a bolder, simpler font but kept their color palette and some graphic elements, and honestly, it still looked great. I really think you can strike a balance if you’re willing to compromise a bit on both sides. Pictograms are tricky, though—sometimes they’re crystal clear, other times people just stare at them like, “Is that a coffee cup or a weird hat?” Context really is everything.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I get the appeal of compromise, but I sometimes wonder if we’re too quick to sacrifice clarity for aesthetics. There’s a point where a sign just needs to do its job, right? I’ve seen wayfinding systems in airports that look beautiful but leave people wandering in circles. Maybe there’s a case for being a bit more utilitarian, even if it means the design isn’t as “on brand.” As for pictograms, I agree—context is everything, but sometimes I think we overestimate how universal some symbols really are.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
You’re hitting on something that gets overlooked way too often. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched people get spun around in a terminal because the signs are “artful” but not actually helpful. There’s a line between good design and just... confusing people. I get that branding matters, but if someone can’t find the baggage claim, what’s the point?
Pictograms are another can of worms. Designers love to say they’re universal, but honestly, half the time they’re not. I remember seeing a restroom sign in Europe that looked like an alien—no clue what it meant until someone pointed it out. Sometimes I think we forget that clarity isn’t just about language, it’s about context and culture too.
Anyway, you’re not alone in thinking utilitarian isn’t always a dirty word. Sometimes function really does need to come first.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
There’s a line between good design and just... confusing people. I get that branding matters, but if someone can’t find the baggage claim, what’s the point?
That’s exactly it. I’ve seen projects where the signage budget went into fancy materials and custom fonts, but people still had to ask staff for directions. From a practical standpoint, isn’t it more cost-effective to invest in clear, readable signs up front rather than deal with lost visitors and constant questions? Curious if anyone’s actually measured the long-term costs of “artful” signage versus straightforward, functional designs.
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
isn’t it more cost-effective to invest in clear, readable signs up front rather than deal with lost visitors and constant questions?
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. I get the appeal of “statement” signage, but if people are wandering around lost, that’s just more staff time spent giving directions. I’d love to see a real breakdown of costs—like, does the fancy font really pay off in brand value, or is it just a headache for everyone? Sometimes simple really is smarter (and cheaper).