building a Cohesive Sign Strategy
On large projects, teams often discuss signage in isolation. A sign here, a totem there, a statutory panel added near the end. In reality, no single sign works on its own. What matters is how information connects across an entire site.
Large estates, multi building developments and phased projects all rely on systems rather than individual elements. When signage is treated as a collection of standalone items, the building does not work as intended.
Wayfinding works as a network
People rarely arrive at a building and stop at one sign. They move through a sequence of decisions, from arrival point to destination, often across different thresholds and environments. External signage sets expectations. Internal signage confirms direction.
If any part of that sequence is missing or inconsistent, the system breaks down. Users hesitate, double back or ask for help. The issue is rarely the design of a single sign but the lack of connection between them.
sign consistency
On large sites, users often misunderstand consistency. It does not mean repeating the same sign everywhere. It means using a clear hierarchy of information, so users know what to look for at each stage of their journey.
A campus entrance sign, a building directory and a corridor sign all do different jobs. When type sizes, language or visual cues are inconsistent, users lose confidence. Good wayfinding uses variation with purpose, not variety for its own sake.
Ongoing Flexibility
Most large developments evolve over time. They add buildings, move departments, and change entrances. Signage designers quickly create a problem with fixed solutions.
Thinking in systems allows for future change. Modular components, updateable information, and clear zoning make it easier to adapt without starting again. This is often overlooked when signage decisions are made late or in isolation.
maintenance
Once the team hands over a building, they establish signage as along-term operational asset. If you do not consider replacement, cleaning, or updating, the system degrades quickly.
A single damaged sign might be easy to replace. A poorly planned system creates ongoing cost and inconsistency. Large sites benefit from signage strategies that consider access, durability, and future updates from the start.
At the completion of each project, we provide a comprehensive Operation and Maintenance Manual for the signage package. This includes as installed drawings, material specifications, fixing details, cleaning guidance, and maintenance recommendations to support the safe operation and long-term care of the signage. The manual ensures facilities teams have clear, practical information to manage the signage effectively, maintain appearance and performance, and support future updates or replacements where required.
Sign Systems Checklist
Before progressing signage on a large or multi building site, it is worth checking the following:
- Are arrival points, thresholds and destinations clearly linked as a single journey
- Is there a clear hierarchy of information so users know what to look for at each stage
- Do external, internal and reassurance signs use consistent language and logic
- Has the team planned signage across all phases of the development, not just the current one?
- Can we update or expand information without replacing the entire system?
- Are materials and fixings appropriate for long term use and maintenance access
- Did we consider responsibility for future updates at handover?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, the signage system is likely to underperform over time.
contact our team
If you are working on a large or multi-building site and want to sense check how people approach your signage, an early conversation can help you identify gaps before they become problems on site. Our team regularly supports projects by reviewing signage strategies, phasing, and system logic before we fix designs.
Get in touch if you would like to discuss an upcoming project or review an existing signage approach. Email us at sales@norsign.co.uk or call us on 01698 713399
