Signs are apart of our daily lives more than we realize. We interact with them because they are used to tell us important information such as traffic speeds, parking information, directions, and the various hazards in the environment. On University of Missouri – Kansas City Volker Campus, we have a total of nearly 400 signs. Signs on campus are mostly dedicated for wayfinding, and their are four different types of wayfinding signs.

Types of Wayfinding Signs

• Identification – They are used to tell an person that they have arrived at their destination (Examples from above: School of Dentistry, Katz Hall
• Directional – These are often used at junction area to guide people do their destinations. (Examples from above: 50th St. and Troost Ave, Charlotte St and 24th Terrace, Rockhill Rd)
• Information – These are used to display broad useful information about a facility. (Examples from above: (Pedestrian signs, parking signs)
• Regulatory – These set specific boundaries for a facility. (Examples from above: (No smoking, no skateboarding)

Even though we use signs regularly, UMKC falls short on using signs to more effectively communicate with visitors and students especially those who may not be as familiar with campus and those who require special accommodations. As examples, I have chosen a identification and directional sign located on campus. The first street sections shows how are current identification signs are displayed, and we have blue signs that have the name of the hall written in white located in the top corner. The second sections shows are directional signs which are tall blue signs that display names of halls with arrows pointing in their general directional, and more important facilities on top in a slightly increased font size with arrows pointing in their general direction.

I have laid out four new signs that can be used to replace the signs that exist on campus. The directional signs which are primarily used for vehicles should have symbols that have identity the use of the building, and the top of the sign should lead visitors and students to the most utilized buildings on campus such as the library or student union. Pedestrian signs are information signs that inform pedestrians of what the particular building has inside such as various departments, and we should be aware of the types of amenities located within such as bathrooms, and elevators. Our identification signs should serve the same purpose by informing drivers and pedestrians of the departments located within, and possibly including an international symbol for those fields. Finally, I think our regulatory signs should be replicate the schools spirit, and any visitor or student should be able to recognize these signs instead of being apart of the background.