Signage has numerous applications in the educational setting. Signage can be utilised to direct visitors, students, and employees around the campus while also promoting your school's message. When done appropriately, signage can also improve communication, punctuality, and safety. This blog article will discuss the primary uses and benefits of signage in the educational setting.
Wayfinding
It goes without saying that signage is the primary means of communicating directions in any industry. Wayfinding signage in schools might contain room numbers, not just on doors, but also signage throughout the building leading people in the proper direction, such as an arrow sign stating 'Rooms 123 - 234', which would put new employees, students or visitors at ease.
This also applies to particular events like parent-teacher days, open days, or transitioning days where those on the premises are unfamiliar with the surroundings. Here, specific signage, such as an A-frame with directions to the registration desk from the car park, may be useful; if this is a longer journey, more signage is encouraged to ensure that guests do not become disoriented at any point during the journey, as this may deter potential candidates from attending.
Maps at the site's entrance and clear 'Visitor Entrance' signage are another approach to ensure that guests feel welcome and can simply get to the office without disrupting any other school activities that may be taking place. These would be a more permanent solution that would provide easy access for many years to come.
Improving communication
Signage is a fantastic approach to promote communication; this might be done by providing information about future events or achievements in places where more people can see it, such as at the site's entrance or in busy public areas. This is where digital signage comes in helpful, as its ability to stay up to date and integrate visual features ensures that it will grab more attention than your present option.
In a higher education facility such as a college or a university digital signage can be utilised to improve communication through room schedules placed outside of bookable rooms or classrooms, this would help both students and staff to locate a study area that's available to use and for how long. This would also be a beneficial way to conduct meetings as when the room is marked as occupied no one will disturb or enter accidentally.
Another benefit of signage is that It has the potential to improve both attendance and timeliness. When signage is utilised to monitor and implement an improved strategy to control traffic within shared areas such as corridors can become more structured and avoid 'traffic jams' between classes. This is especially important in secondary schools, when students are expected to walk to and from classes unattended. The use of Window graphics in classrooms can also boost student productivity by hiding distractions from outside the classroom, resulting in fewer students looking outside the classroom and instead drawing their focus in. With the flexibility to display a design of your choice, these window graphics can also enhance your school's message or visual identity.
Increasing Safety
The fundamentals of school safety signage include prominently marked fire alarms and exits, as well as maps displaying the nearest evacuation point. However, signage can also be utilised to highlight any school-specific safety rules. Students will understand what is expected of them if the school rules are clearly posted across the site.
To guarantee the safety of the children around the school, traffic signage in busy pick-up and drop-off zones, as well as nearby road crossings, may be used within a primary school.
Accessibility
When selecting signage for your school, keep accessibility in mind to ensure that everyone feels included and welcome. Signs with both large text and symbols are more inclusive for individuals with learning disabilities or who speak English as a second language. The colour scheme of your signage should also be addressed, as some colour combinations are not suitable for those with dyslexia. The font you select may seem great, but make sure it is also easy to read, as many cursive style fonts are not accessible.
Why is cohesive branding and furthering the school's message important?
Cohesive branding contributes to a sense of unity, while powerful branding generates a sense of pride and belonging among both students and staff since they can relate to and identify with the school's visual identity. Signage can also improve the site's professionalism because a clearly branded school demonstrates that the institution values its image, which produces a positive impression that will favourably affect parents, students, and the wider community. Brand recognition may also be established by consistent signage and branding, which can lead to higher enrollment and support for the school because strong brand awareness indicates that your school is memorable.
Finally, consistent branding and messaging will boost school spirit and pride because students who have a greater sense of identity with the school are more likely to support and/or participate in school activities.
When done correctly, signage can prove to be of great benefit to your Education facility, from enhancing the student experience to providing a professional brand image. For more information on how signage can work for you contact the experts at FASTSIGNS Northampton on 01604 422650 or visit our website to request a quote.