A project to develop design protocols for electronic font displays. In the mistaken belief that more information means better communication, a wide variety of electronic media have replaced traditional signage in public places. Dot matrix displays, CRT screens, digital projection systems, LCD and plasma displays are installed with little thought given to consistency, readability or perceived authority.
New display technology offers the potential to do whatever you want but it also creates more opportunity for things to go wrong. The problem is particularly acute in large transport terminals where confusing or illegible signage impacts negatively on our ability to understand where to go next. Design cannot resolve the myriad problems of public transport in the UK but it can do something to improve the typographic quality of digital signs.
Roundel and Dalton Maag, both recognised experts in the field, collaborated to develop long overdue design protocols for electronic signage that will help designers, commuters and computer users, and which should set the standard industry-wide.
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Wayfinding, electronic media, design protocols, public signage
Design a mainstream product, service, environment, print, on-line or other communication which deliberately includes the needs and aspirations of currently excluded groups of people.
Product design, visual communications and interaction design
