EPMS
Event
Signage
The operational
element that is often left to last is the signage at the event. When I asked
a number of event managers what they did with regard to signage they said it
was obvious. This probably accounts for the lack of suitable signs at events
and the illegibility of existing ones. To my knowledge, with the exception of
books on airports and car parks, there seems very little written on temporary
signage.
Some events only
need a few signs as the audience is already 'event site literate'. The Port
Fairy Folk Festival on the southern Victorian coast has only a few signs compared
to many other events. This is because the suppliers, festival audience and performers
are already familiar with the site and facilities. The point here is that the
amount, position and style of signage is a function of the event history and
the target audience.
As with most of
the aspects of the event site, the signage is temporary. When combined with
the fact that the attendees will be unfamiliar with the site, this means that
the models of sign design as found in fields such as architecture and National
Parks have to be adapted. Once the event is over the signs are just waste. There
can be no mistake with the site design in the lead up to and during the event
- and then at an appointed time they are completely useless.
There are four
types of signs used for an event that concern the event logistics:
- Directional
- 'Child Minding this way'... includes off site directional signage to the
event
- Operational
- 'You are here' includes information signs and maps.
- Statutory
(regulation/warning) - 'Fire Exits' - this includes special one off warning
signs 'Slippery Floor'
- Facility
- 'Toilets' 'Bar' 'Stage 1' includes identification signs such as 'entrance'.
The entrance is an important sign as it may create the first impression of
the event site and establish the type/style of signs in the minds of the audience.
Other signs include
sponsors signs, promotion signs, notifications and more general information ('Come
back next year').
Checklist
for Event Signs
Planning
- Site/venue
sign location map - where are you going to put them
- Types of signs
needed such as:
- Parking,
transport, access
- Directional
signs
- Safety/security/first
aid
- Information
signs
- Promotional
- Sponsorship
- Facilities
- Placement of
signs such as:
- Resource assessment
for signs
Implementation
- Design - size,
colour, legibility from a distance,
- Supply -
- .................................................
- Responsibility
for implementation
Notes
Data Confusion
Too much information can be as dangerous as too little. Good event signage has
to balance the information necessary with legibility. In a similar way to the
event manual and the event map, signage is about communication. If the 'message'
is confusing, cluttered, ambiguous or unfamiliar it has failed. More than that,
it can create far more problems that it is supposed to pre-empt. The event manager
needs to understand the event audience - what is their history of 'sign reading'?
Acronyms and symbols should only be used when they are understood by all
the attendees.
For further explanaion in detail see EPMS CDROM
Go
to EPMS Schema
OR Go
to Checklist Site
Copyright W.J. O'Toole 2002