Hey, have you ever walked into a big building and felt lost? I know I have. And that’s why public building signage design matters so much. Good signs help you find your way. They keep you safe too. So today, we’re going to talk about three things you see in buildings all the time. We’ll cover directories, display cases, and communication boards.

Now, here’s the thing. These aren’t just random boards on walls. They do real work. They tell you where to go. They share news. And they show off cool stuff too. But if you don’t pick the right ones, or if you put them in the wrong spot, well… they won’t help much at all.

At ASI Visual Display Products, the team knows all about this stuff. They make boards and cases for schools, hospitals, and offices. And they’ve been doing it for years. So let’s dig in and learn what makes these things work well.

What Does Public Building Signage Design Mean?

Okay, so let me break this down for you. Public building signage design is all about making signs for places where lots of people go. Think about a hospital. Or a school. Or even a city hall. These places need signs that work for everyone.

And you know what? It’s not as easy as it sounds. You can’t just slap any old sign on a wall. Nope. You need to think about who will read it. You need to think about where they’ll stand. And you need to make sure it follows the rules too.

So, good signs in public buildings do three big things:

1. It helps people find where they need to go.
2. It shares info fast and clear.
3. It keeps people safe by showing exits and warnings.

Pretty simple, right? But wait. There’s more to it. Let’s look at the three main types of signs you’ll see.

All About Building Directories

First up, we’ve got directories. You’ve seen these before. They’re those big boards in lobbies that list all the rooms and offices. When you walk into a tall building, boom, there it is. Right by the door.

Why You Need a Good Directory

Real talk. Without a good directory, people get lost. They walk around in circles. They ask for help. And that wastes time for everyone. But here’s the payoff. A clear directory makes your building feel nice. It makes people feel welcome.

You know what happened to me once? I went to an office building to meet someone. The directory was tiny. The letters were too small. I couldn’t read it. So I had to ask three people for help. Not fun.

ASI Visual Display Products makes directories that are easy to update. So when a business moves in or out, you can change the sign fast. No need to buy a whole new board.

What Makes a Directory Work Well

So, what should you look for? Here are the key things:

1. Big, clear letters that you can read from far away
2. Colors that stand out, like dark text on a light board
3. Panels that you can swap out when things change
4. A strong frame that won’t fall apart

And of course, your directory needs to follow public building signage design rules. That means it has to meet ADA standards. We’ll talk more about that later. But just know that good design helps everyone, even people who can’t see well.

Display Cases: More Than Just a Glass Box

Alright, now let’s talk about display cases. You see them everywhere. Schools use them for trophies. Hospitals use them to show donor names. And government buildings use them for notices and awards.

Different Types of Display Cases

Well, here’s something cool. Not all display cases look the same. Some have doors that slide. Others have doors that swing open. And some fit right into the wall so they look super sleek.

Let me break down the main types for you:

1. Sliding Glass Door Cases: These are great for tight spots. The doors slide to the side, so you don’t need extra room.
2. Hinged Door Cases: These are the most common. The doors swing open like a cabinet.
3. Recessed Cases: These sit inside the wall. They look really clean and modern.

ASI Visual Display Products offers all these types. So you can pick what fits your space best.

Tips for Making Display Cases Look Great

So, you’ve got your case. Now what? How do you make it look amazing? Here’s the deal. You need to think about what goes inside.

1. Pick a background color that makes your stuff pop
2. Add lights to show off what’s inside
3. Use locks to keep things safe
4. Make sure the case doesn’t block the walkway

And remember, good sign design isn’t just about looking pretty. It’s about making sure people can see and enjoy what you’re showing.

Communication Boards: The Real Workhorses

Okay, let’s move on to communication boards. These are the bulletin boards, whiteboards, and notice boards you see everywhere. And honestly? They do so much work. They keep everyone in the loop.

Where You’ll Find Communication Boards

Think about it. In a hospital, there’s a board in every patient room. It shows the nurse’s name. It shows the care plan. And in schools, there are boards in every hallway. They show class times, events, and club news.

ASI Visual Display Products makes special boards just for these places. They have healthcare boards and education boards. Each one works for its setting.

How to Make Communication Boards Work

Here’s the thing. A board that no one reads is just a waste of wall space. So you need to make sure people pay attention. How do you do that?

1. Put the board where people can see it easily
2. Keep it fresh with new info all the time
3. Use simple words that everyone gets
4. Make the text big enough to read from far away

When you get your boards right, information flows well. People know what’s going on. And that makes everything run better.

Safety: You Can’t Skip This Part

Now we need to get serious. Safety is a big deal. When you put up signs or cases in a public building, you have to think about how they might hurt someone. Or how they might help someone.

ADA Rules You Need to Know

First things first. The ADA is a law that helps people with disabilities. It sets rules for signs in public places. And if your signs don’t follow these rules, you could get a big fine. We’re talking up to 75,000 dollars for the first time.

So what does the ADA say about signs in buildings? Well, it says signs need:

• High contrast between the words and the background
• Raised letters and Braille for some signs
• The right height, usually between 48 and 60 inches from the floor
• A surface that doesn’t shine too much

How to Mount Things Safely

You know what no one thinks about? How the sign hangs on the wall. A heavy display case that falls off can really hurt someone. So you need to get this right.

• Use the right anchors for your wall type
• Don’t let cases stick out too far into the walkway
• Never block emergency exits
• Use shatter-proof glass in busy areas

ASI Visual Display Products builds their stuff with safety in mind. Their cases meet building codes. So you don’t have to worry as much.

Fire Safety and Signs

Here’s something people forget. Your boards and cases should never block fire signs. Exit signs, fire extinguisher spots, and escape maps need to stay visible. Always. So when you plan where to put things, keep this in mind.

Picking the Right Materials

Alright, so we’ve talked about types and safety. But what about materials? What are these things made of? The stuff you pick matters a lot.

Frame Choices

For directories and display cases, you’ve got options. Aluminum frames are light and don’t rust. Wood frames look warm and classic. And for a modern look, you can pick thin metal frames that barely show.

The thing is, your pick should match your building. A sleek office wants aluminum. An old courthouse might want wood. It all depends on the vibe.

Board Surface Options

For communication boards, you’ve got even more choices. Cork is great for pinning papers. Fabric looks nice and works well too. And porcelain whiteboards last forever. They erase clean, even after years of use.

ASI Visual Display Products offers cork, vinyl, and porcelain surfaces. Their whiteboards don’t ghost. That means no old marks showing through. And that’s what you want for signs that last.

Making It All Look Good

So, you’ve picked your stuff. You’ve thought about safety. Now comes the fun part. Making it all look nice together. And trust me, this matters.

Colors That Work

The colors you use can help or hurt. Dark text on a light background is easy to read. The ADA says you need at least 70 percent contrast. So keep that in mind when you design.

Also, think about color blindness. About 8 percent of men have some form of it. So don’t use only color to share info. Use shapes and words too.

Where to Put Things

Where you put your signs matters just as much as what they say. For tactile signs, the ADA says the bottom should be at least 48 inches from the floor. The top should be no more than 60 inches high.

For directories, put them right where people enter. Make them easy to spot. And for boards, put them at eye level where people stop and look.

Keeping Things Updated

Here’s something people don’t think about enough. Signs and boards need to stay current. An old directory with wrong info is worse than no directory at all. So you need a plan to keep things fresh.

For directories, pick ones with panels you can swap out fast. That way, when a business moves, you can fix it that same day. For communication boards, set a schedule. Check them every week. Take down old stuff. Put up new stuff.

And for display cases, change what’s inside now and then. Fresh displays catch people’s eyes. Old displays get ignored. It’s just how we work as humans.

Get Help from the Pros

Look, I get it. This is a lot to take in. And that’s why working with people who know public building signage design is so helpful. Companies like ASI Visual Display Products have done this for years. They know the rules. They know what works. They know what doesn’t.

They even have tools on their website to help you plan. You can build specs and find resources. And because they’re part of ASI Group, they can handle big projects too. Small jobs too. Whatever you need.

The best part? They’ve thought about all the stuff we talked about today. Safety. ADA rules. Materials. Design. So when you work with them, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is public building signage design?

Public building signage design is how you make signs for places where lots of people go. It covers directories, display cases, and boards. The goal is to help people find their way, share info, and stay safe.

What are ADA sign rules for buildings?

ADA rules say signs need high contrast colors, raised letters, and Braille for some spots. Signs must be at the right height too. The lowest letter should be 48 inches from the floor. The highest should be 60 inches.

How do you pick the right display case?

Think about what you want to show. Think about how much room you have. Sliding door cases work well in tight spaces. Hinged door cases are great for most spots. And recessed cases look sleek and modern.

Why do buildings need directories?

Directories help people find offices and rooms fast. Without them, people get lost and waste time. Good directories make your building feel nice and welcome.

What materials work best for bulletin boards?

Cork works great for pinning papers. Fabric boards look nice and hold pins well. Porcelain whiteboards are the best for long-term use. They don’t ghost and erase clean.

How do you make building signs safe?

Use the right wall anchors. Don’t let signs stick out too far. Never block exits or fire signs. And use shatter-proof glass in busy areas. Following building codes helps too.

How high should signs be mounted?

For tactile signs with raised letters, mount them between 48 and 60 inches from the floor. Overhead signs need to be at least 80 inches high. Put directories where people can see them when they walk in.

Wrapping It All Up

So there you have it. Public building signage design isn’t just about putting signs on walls. It’s about thinking hard about what people need. It’s about keeping them safe. And it’s about making spaces that work for everyone.

Directories help people find their way. Display cases share achievements and news. Communication boards keep everyone up to date. And when you do all this while following ADA rules and safety codes, you create places that truly work.

If you’re thinking about getting new signs or boards, check out ASI Visual Display Products. They’ve got the know-how and the products to help. And honestly, that peace of mind is worth a lot.

Remember, good signs aren’t just nice to have. They’re a must. So take the time to get it right. Your building and the people in it will thank you.