Table of Contents
Wayfinding Icons and Images
Even what you might see as one of the simplest locations to create wayfinding signage for, can be complex and create quite high levels of confusion.
In
Over the years though, a set of globally recognised icons have begun to be used worldwide and this certainly can make the process much easier for creating standardised and recognisable signage for toilets.
Problems also arise though when designers decide that they wish to innovate and modify icons, which already do the job perfectly and are, as mentioned above, already globally known.
The image of a man, a woman, a disabled user and a nappy changing area, as shown in most of the pictures on this page, I am sure you have seen many times before on your travels.
Branding
It IS possible to brand and keep the globally recognised icons, which I recommend you use and keep to.
Background colours can be your opportunity to maintain your brand colour family.
A good background colour that matches your brand colours, will often make good use of white icons i.e. accentuate the images (see the orange branded colour in the sign below).
Whether or not to use text or a logo (imagery) is a decision you will need to make.
The problem with text is that it creates more room for cultural confusion, such as in the case of ‘Toilet’s in British English versus ‘Restrooms’ in American English.
It is quite easy to struggle to find a toilet when you first arrive in the United States because there are sometimes no toilet signs, only signs for the restroom (which you come to realise later on are the same thing).
Icons take away this element of confusion BUT as long as you are using the globally recognised symbols.
Design Services
Let us design your restroom, toilet and nappy-changing signage!
Please CONTACT US to discuss your requirements.
