As a church interior designer, I have worked on numerous church spaces, each with its own unique vision and mission. Today, I want to highlight signage: an often-overlooked but crucial aspect of church design. Signs can have one of the most considerable positive effects on both the aesthetics of your building and its friendliness to visitors. We want to make our first impression count! That’s why it’s essential to have a solid strategy when planning for signage. I recommend you check out this blog first, which discusses where to start as you think about signage for your church.

Let’s start with the types of signage each church needs. There are four types of wayfinding signs:

1. Identification Signs

Identification signs tell you where you currently are. These are the most common types of signs; ones that say things like “Sanctuary,” “Auditorium,” “Check-In,” or “Office.” When it comes to identification signs, simplicity is critical. Avoid cluttering your signs with excessive information. Signage should convey essential details clearly and concisely. Opt for legible fonts and keep the design straightforward. Remember, the goal is to provide guidance, not overwhelm with unnecessary complexity.

2. Directional Signs

Directional signs provide… you guessed it, direction! These tell you which way you need to go. They act as the GPS of your church. Use arrows and clear symbols to guide visitors toward essential areas such as the sanctuary, classrooms, restrooms, and gathering spaces. Place these signs at eye level or higher, in obvious locations, ensuring they are noticeable and easily understood by everyone. Directional signage usually incorporates arrows that point in the appropriate direction.

Consider both the outdoors and the indoors when planning your directional signage. Directional signage starts outside the church as you consider what directions might be helpful for a first-time guest to receive when driving in. Where do they park? Which way is the main entrance? Indoors, consider the main entry point and what directional signage you can provide to guests about their main destinations. These signs may direct toward the children’s check-in area and the sanctuary. Whether outdoors or indoors, these signs help direct people to a specific place and are essential to your church signage plan.

3. Informational Signs

Information signs provide additional information about the journey or destination. They provide helpful information that equips your guests or members with what they need to move forward confidently. Informational signs include signs that list hours of operation, rules, policies, caution, etc. For instance, if you have a sickness policy for children attending nursery or children’s services, you may use informational signs at your children’s check-in area to communicate that information to the parents. Informational signage can also include price lists for the church resource/merch area or information for an events table.

Informational signs can be vital to maintaining guest safety and reducing legal liability. The law demands that people be informed if there is any abnormal risk. So, for instance, if there is an area of your church with a small step or raised surface that people often miss or trip on, informational signs can help inform guests. It’s wise to do a walk-through of your building and locate any areas requiring informational caution signs to reduce liability and ensure safety.

4. Regulatory Signs

These signs connote rules and regulations. They include signs that indicate rules about smoking or vaping or bans on bags, weapons, alcohol, or other dangerous things.

Avoid These Signage Sins

When planning these four types of signage, there are some things to remember. I've witnessed my fair share of sign design disasters, so allow me to share some valuable tips:

Tiny Fonts

Steer clear of minuscule lettering that requires divine intervention to read. Opt for legibly-sized fonts that cater to people with varying vision abilities. Sometimes when designing signage, it can seem like we chose a large enough font, but when the sign is mounted, the message is lost in the largeness of the space. I urge you to consult a professional when sizing your signs for this reason. However, if you’re on the DIY-route, there’s nothing wrong with making a “dummy sign” on paper in the size the actual sign will be and hanging it in the space in order to determine that the letters are sized correctly.

When it comes to signage, legibility is paramount. It's important to choose fonts that are clear and easy to read. While decorative or ornate fonts may seem appealing, they can often hinder readability, causing frustration and confusion for visitors.

Instead, opt for fonts that strike a balance between elegance and legibility. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Open Sans are excellent choices for signage as they have clean lines and are easily readable from a distance. Additionally, consider the font size, ensuring that it is large enough to be comfortably read by individuals with visual impairments.

Inconsistency

Consistency is vital to effective signage. Maintain a cohesive design language throughout your church, ensuring all signs share similar fonts, colors, and materials. This balanced approach will guide visitors seamlessly through your building(s).

Consistency in design is essential for creating a visually pleasing environment. Regarding signage, this means maintaining a consistent design language throughout your church. Using the same fonts, colors, and materials across all signs creates a sense of unity and familiarity for visitors as they navigate your space.

Select fonts and color palettes that align with your church's branding or architectural style. This consistent visual identity will enhance wayfinding and reinforce a sense of identity and belonging among your congregation and visitors.

Information Overload

Signage should provide relevant information without overwhelming visitors. Avoid overcrowding signs with an excess of information. Keep it focused, concise, and pertinent to the immediate vicinity.

Signs serve as navigational tools, guiding visitors to their intended destinations. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between providing necessary information and overwhelming visitors with an abundance of text. Remember, people often read signs while on the move, so it's crucial to keep the information concise and easily digestible.

Focus on including essential details pertinent to the sign's immediate vicinity. For example, directional signs should indicate the destination and any specific instructions or arrows. Informational signs should provide concise descriptions or summaries, guiding visitors without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.

When it comes to signage, simplicity is key. Presenting information clearly and concisely allows visitors to absorb the necessary information and easily navigate your church quickly.

Create a Stellar Guest Experience

By considering these points and implementing them in your church's signage strategy, you will create an environment that is welcoming, accessible, and easy to navigate for all visitors. Remember, signage is not just about displaying information; it's about creating a positive experience for guests that reflects the values and identity of your church.

Signage Strategies For Your Church: A Practical Guide