For: Site operators, signage designers and visitor services teams
Wayfinding Maps & Visitor Signage
Wayfinding answers where I am, where my destination is, and which way to go next. A visually appealing map still needs to agree with its installation point, physical signs and real paths.
Reviewed:
Align orientation with the reader's position
Confirm the board's installation point and the direction the reader faces. North, the reading point and any 'you are here' marker need to match the site. Different board locations may require separate layouts. Do not duplicate one arbitrary position marker across every sign.
Check the journey from the main entrance to key destinations. Emphasize junctions and decision points. A reader needs an actionable next step, not just a destination label. Compare the map with the directional signs encountered along that route to catch conflicting names or missing turns.
Keep names, legends and text hierarchy consistent
Use the same names on building signs, directional signs, maps and visitor instructions. Short names make locations easier to scan; keep longer explanations in supporting content. Explain service symbols in a legend, and avoid relying on color alone to distinguish important information.
For bilingual maps, verify that both names refer to the same location and allow space for longer English labels. Site-approved names take priority over automatic conversion. Review line breaks and label placement so extra text does not cover a junction or change the apparent location of a destination.
Validate with a real on-site reading test
Check type size, legends and orientation at the intended viewing distance and lighting conditions. Ask someone unfamiliar with the site to find a toilet or reception point using the map. Note the junctions and names that cause hesitation, then adjust the relevant information and test again.
The map editor helps prepare the visitor map and export artwork, but it does not certify accessibility, fire safety or signage compliance. Have the appropriate professionals confirm installation and safety requirements. Preserve a reviewed version and make future changes traceable to the responsible site team.
Common questions
Can every board use the same 'you are here' marker?
No. Each installation point needs the correct position and orientation, checked against the paths a reader can see and use.
Does bilingual labeling make a sign ready to publish?
You still need to check approved names, meaning in both languages, line breaks, type size and consistency with physical signs. Automatic conversion does not replace a final editorial review.