Site plan #4: signage

Goal: create the right kinds and amounts of signage.

Signage helps people orient themselves in a space, move safely, and understand what’s happening without having to ask for help. It supports accessibility, helps first-time visitors feel welcome, and prevents small issues (like people blocking entrances or wandering into restricted areas) from becoming bigger problems.

Signage also costs money and wastes paper, even if you design everything yourself. This means signage should be focused on clarity and reuse rather than polish. To keep costs down, consider:

• Creating/reusing standard signs across events (bathrooms, no entry)

• Printing in black-and-white or limited color

• Writing some signs by hand or on reusable boards

• Sharing a single map or schedule at key points instead of everywhere

Step 1: Identify What People most Need to Know

• Context & needs: Language access, familiarity with the area, accessibility needs

• Location: Is the event spread across blocks, intersections, or multiple entrances? Are streets active with traffic? Are there sightline, noise, or lighting challenges?

• FAQs: Where do I go? What’s happening here? Is this allowed? Where are bathrooms? Clear signage reduces repeat questions to volunteers.

• Safety: Street crossings, emergency access, bathrooms, seating, state violence / know-your-rights info, and areas that should not be entered or documented

Step 2: Place Signage on the Site Layout

Before designing anything, decide where each sign will go on your site layout. Mark sign locations directly on the layout, such as at entrances, intersections, decision points, and high-traffic areas. This helps you:

• Determine whether signs need arrows or directional language

• Decide what information belongs on a single sign vs. spread across multiple signs

• Avoid overprinting unnecessary signage

• Ensure signage appears before people get confused (not after)

Step 3: Design for Clarity (vs Aesthetics)

Design signage to be readable from a distance and understandable in a few seconds:

• Use large text and simple language

• Avoid long paragraphs

• Prioritize symbols and arrows where possible

• Don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning

• Assume people are distracted, tired, or overstimulated

Step 4: Decide How Signs Will Be Produced

Choose materials based on duration, weather, and budget. Think about:

• Weather resistance

• Visibility

• Reuse across future events

• How signs will be mounted safely