2. Fairmont Sign Company: A Primer on Wayfinding
In business since 1984, the Fairmont Sign Company develops, manufactures, and
distributes custom signage for all different types of organizations, including
corporations and government entities. As a leading privately held business in the
industry, Fairmont Sign Company has supported wayfinding strategies for
numerous clients, such as Wayne State University and the city of Ann Arbor,
Michigan.
3. Fairmont Sign Company: A Primer on Wayfinding
Broadly defined, wayfinding refers to the methods in which people familiarize and
orient themselves within specific physical spaces or environments and how they
use those methods to travel between destinations within those spaces. Wayfinding
systems or strategies typically encompass several different components in addition
to signage and graphics, such as architectural features, sight lines, and information
centers.
4. Fairmont Sign Company: A Primer on Wayfinding
A good wayfinding strategy provides strong indicators that clearly direct users from
point A to point B. Depending on the environment or building, these indicators may
range from distinct paths and markers to individual zones/regions and directional
information or maps. On the other hand, poor wayfinding systems often pose
significant problems for the organizations or businesses saddled with them. For
example, an individual unable to find his or her way may need to seek out a busy
employee for directions, taking that employee away from his or her primary duties.
Furthermore, users may refuse to return to or do business at a place with ineffective
wayfinding because of disappointing experiences.
