Types of Signs: Direction, Orientation, Regulation & Identification

Directional Signs:

Directional signs “provide the necessary cues that users need to keep on the move once they have entered a space.” These signs pictured all fit this definition as they provide directional information to the user.

Image 1:

I took this photo while I was living in Paris. It is a photo of a street sign that names three different streets and locations. There is an arrow pointing in the direction of each location, which tells the user which way to go to find their destination.

Image 2:

The next photo was taken at the DoDo Restaurant in Sugar House. It is a directional sign because it has an arrow pointing one way which directs the flow of traffic into the parking lot.

Image 3:

This photo was taken at the Harry Potter amusement park in Florida. It serves as a directional sign because it lists two different areas of the park and points the user in the direction that each is located.

Orientational Signs:

Orientation signs “offer visitors an overview of their surroundings in the form of comprehensive site maps and directories.” Orientation signs show the viewer a large scale map of surrounding areas and show them how to navigate the location.

Image 1:

The first image is an overview of a half marathon course I ran. This is an orientational sign because it shows the runner a complete overview of the race course he/she will be running.

Image 2:

This photo was taken from a Westminster handout. It is an image of the Westmisnter campus map, which has a detailed layout of the campus and all the buildings on campus. This is an orientational sign because it is found all around campus and shows the entire campus so the user could locate himself from anywhere on campus.

Image 3:

This image was taken from a map of Paris. It is an orientation sign because it gives the user an overview of the city. Orientation signs are “comprehensive” and this fits the description because it is a comprehensive map of the city. It could be used to orient oneself from anywhere in the city, which is the purpose of an orientational sign. Orientational signs are meant to inform the viewer of their location on a larger scale than a simple directional sign.

Regulatory Signs:

Regularatory signs “describe the do’s and don’ts of a place.” Regulatory signs serve as warnings, instructions and monitors for public spaces.

Image 1:

The first image was taken in my neighborhood. It is a duck crossing sign. This sign warns drivers that ducks frequently are seen in the area and cross the street. It warns drivers to use caution and look for ducks on the road as they drive by.

Image 2:

The no parking sign was taken on a street near Sugar House park. This is a regulatory sign because it notifies drivers that they may not park their cars in the given section.

Image 3:

This photo was taken at a French petting zoo. The sign says “don’t touch or feed the animals.” This is a regulatory sign because it tells people they are not allowed to touch the animals and it regulates their behavior.

Identification Signs:

Identification signs “provide the first impression of a destination.” They “display the name and function of a space or place…and appear at the beginning and end of routes.”

Image 1:

This “Ladies” image is an identification sign because it tells the user that this is the ladies restroom. This photo was taken at the Alta Club in downtown Salt Lake. It identifies which restroom is which.

Image 2:

This photo was taken when I was in London in the fall. It is a photo of the London Underground and shows the user where the tube entrance is. It serves as an identification sign because it identifies the location of the metro and helps the user navigate and identify his/her location.

Image 3:

This photo was taken in Seattle, Washington. It is an image of Pike’s Place Market. It serves as an identification sign because it alerts the user where he/she is.