how to create an effective sign

1. How To Create an
Effective Sign
By: Rayn Howayek

2.  Visibility
 Readability
 Noticeability
 Legibility
To Create an Effective Sign

3.  The sign should be sized appropriately for the viewing
distance. Generally, you will need 1 cm of letter height
for every 1.2 meters of viewing distance. The sign
should also be placed in a location with maximum
exposure to the target audience.
Visibility

4.  The sign should be organized in a manner that readily
conveys its intended message. Key words and
phrases should be emphasized with larger letters,
bolder typestyles and additional colors. Ideas should
be grouped logically and separated by layout and
spacing. Graphic elements, especially digital color
graphics, can greatly enhance the speed and
thoroughness of communications.
Readability

5.  The sign should incorporate some design elements
that will help it stand out conspicuously in the
landscape. Color contrast, changeable components,
motion, uniqueness of design and/or subconscious
attraction can serve to make a sign more noticeable.
Noticeability

6.  Typestyle selection is critical to the effectiveness of a
sign. The proper font should convey the desired
image without sacrificing the ability to distinguish
individual letters. Many script and specialty typestyles
are difficult to read, especially over greater viewing
distances.
Legibility

7.  You may have a great looking sign, but what if your
potential customers can’t make out what it’s
supposed to mean? Ensuring that potential customers
can view and understand your message is vital to your
businesses success.
Proper Sign Distance for Optimal
Visibility

8.  The distance between your sign and its viewers is the number one
factor in determining the type of LED display you will need.
 Longer distances require less resolution and shorter distances
require higher resolutions.
 In addition, if you are traveling at 90 KPH on a freeway, and the sign
is 180 meter away at a truck stop, the text letters must be at least
50 centimeter tall to be legible. Likewise, if you are standing 18
meter away from a street level sign, the letters need only be 5
centimeter tall to be legible.
 The rule of thumb is that you need 1 centimeter for every 1.2 meter
of viewing distance.
LED Sign Viewing Distance

9. Letter Height
(Centimeter)
Distance For
Best Impact (meter)
Maximum Readable
Distance (meter)
1 1.2 3
1.5 3 6
2 6 15
2.5 9 30
5 12 45
7.5 18 61
20 25 107
23 27 122
25.5 30 137
30.5 36.5 160
38 46 190
Below is a chart that advises on the appropriate
letter height for readability at certain distances.

10. Tactile & Visual Characters
 Type Case
roomROOM
Characters must be uppercase or Lowercase for easy legibility?
 Uppercase Lettering  Lowercase Lettering

11.  Type Case
roomROOM
Characters must be uppercase for easy legibility.
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Uppercase Lettering  Lowercase Lettering

12.  Font Style
ROOMROOM
Characters must be serif or sans serif ?
Tactile & Visual Characters
 serif  Sans serif

13.  Font Style
ROOMROOM
Characters must be of a sans serif font style; characters cannot be
italic, oblique, script, highly decorative, or of other unusual forms.
Tactile & Visual Characters
 serif  Sans serif

14.  Character Height
Minimum and Maximum character height:
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum  Maximum

15.  Character Height
Text limitations may exist due to minimum and maximum
character height requirements per individual sign.
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum  Maximum

16.  Width-to-Height Ratio
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum  Maximum

17.  Width-to-Height Ratio
Characters must not appear too wide.
Characters must not appear too narrow.
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum 55%  Maximum 110%

18.  Stroke-to-Height Ratio
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum  Maximum

19.  Stroke-to-Height Ratio
Characters must not appear too thin.
Characters must not appear too thick.
Tactile & Visual Characters
 Minimum 10%  Maximum 15%

20.  Character Spacing
 Minimum 1/8  Maximum 3/8
1/8 - 3/8 spacing between the two closest points of adjacent tactile characters.
Tactile & Visual Characters

21. Proper Sign Color and Contrast
 A high color contrast
factor will improve
legibility. Here are the
best combinations,
ranked in order of
legibility from a distance.

22. Proper Sign Color and Contrast
 Color Combination Effects  Contrast Solutions

23.  Using Proper Sign Materials
 Standard Calendared Vinyl
 Premium Cast Vinyl
 Specialty Vinyl
 Fabric
 Wind Mesh
Sign Design Elements

24. Thank you
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