Internal wayfinding sign solutions that work do so because they convey information clearly and concisely whilst enlightening, not confusing.
Their purpose is to direct visitors who are unfamiliar with their surroundings to a location or destination effortlessly and to take account of the needs of all, including the visually impaired.
A consistent wayfinding signage solution calls for experienced, rigorous planning and a thorough appreciation of the precise function of a building or landscape. It also calls for an approach that takes account of an organisation’s philosophy and the way it treats its brand; effective wayfinding signage will always form an intrinsic part of a cohesive corporate identity scheme.
As Synergy are not tied to any particular signage system we offer a solution that we feel will work for our customers and meet the needs of the building from the perspective of user groups and be sympathetic with the building fabric. Our solutions are designed to be elegant, low maintenance, cost effective, robust and have the best practice environmental and DDA practices at the forefront of our considerations.
The first contact that a visitor or client will have with an organization is often through the signage that welcomes them on arrival and directs them to their destination.
Directory signs are the main interior signage solutions used for orientation and navigation and form the framework of a consistent signing system. They should give an overview of a building, offer a choice of destinations and can incorporate associated information, such as a map or floor plan that covers a site or area, internally or externally.
Typically, directional signage will consist of a directory and will be supported by signs that guide visitors along their route to reassure and inform, prior to them reaching their final destination.
Internal directory signs are manufactured using a wide range of materials, including woods, metals, acrylics and contemporary vinyl’s. A number of finishes, graphics and energy efficient illuminated signage effects complete the sign design process.
Our directory signage is designed to be robust, tamper resistant, low maintenance and easy to update with inserts when required.
If you really want your signs to make an impact, consider a projecting signage system
Highly visible from a distance, projecting signs can carry a message on both sides and are designed to quite literally stand out in a corridor or open plan internal space.
Projecting signs can be manufactured from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, glass and acrylics and mounted using various fixing systems. Ideally, signs should be positioned at a minimum height of 2300mm from finished floor level and their size should address structural and vulnerability issues.
It is vital that projecting signs are positioned in areas with good natural or artificial light. A striking effect can be achieved when a sustainable source of internal illumination, such as LED technology, is incorporated with the sign
Suspended signage is the perfect solution for open plan environments such as workspaces, auditoria and showrooms or for areas where wall-mounted or free-standing signage isn’t possible or aesthetically appropriate.
With similar advantages to projecting signage, suspended signage is a highly visible solution that can carry digital printed media on both sides incorporating logos, text, icons and graphics to really make its presence felt.
Interior suspended signage requires pre-planning to determine ceiling suspension height, accessibility and structural issues. Suspended signs can be manufactured using a range of materials including acrylics, fire-rated architectural fabrics and large format, lightweight banners to capture attention everywhere from museums and galleries to open plan offices and public spaces.
Suspended signs should be hung in areas with the right level of natural or artificial light. A striking effect can be achieved when a sustainable source of internal illumination, such as LED technology, is incorporated into a suspended signage system.
The secret of an effective room identification signage scheme invariably lies in its simplicity.
Information should be presented concisely, ideally employing a unique code that remains consistent throughout the building and, to accommodate branding requirements, across the organisation, regardless of its location.
Synergy recommends that abbreviations are avoided as they can confuse the visually impaired whilst numbers are recognised more easily than names and can be larger since they occupy less space than text.
Room identification signs can also carry additional functional components such as sliding indicators that signify when a room is free or occupied and DTP inserts. Room signs should also be DDA compliant. Our internal signage solutions are available with tactile lettering or in Braille format to ensure they are accessible to all.
Synergy identification signage systems are manufactured using a wide range of materials, including woods, metals and contemporary acrylics. They are designed to be elegant and visually pleasing, yet robust, tamper proof and low maintenance.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) demands that sign manufacturers conform to best practice guidelines and ensure that signage solutions, including internal signage and external signage, must be compliant and accessible to all, including the visually impaired.
Synergy has developed a number of production processes to produce coherent, cost-effective tactile and Braille signs that integrates completely with an overall signage scheme without restricting its design.
We recommend the tactile and Braille elements are incorporated into a signage scheme to ensure compliance:
Tactile embossed characters of between 1mm to 1.5mm in thickness, set in a contrasting colour to its background, greatly improve signage legibility. All interior and exterior signs should in turn contrast with the surface on which they are mounted to remain fully compliant.
Braille comprises a number of raised dots that create recognisable characters. It should be used in conjunction with tactile text wherever possible.
Use printed wall graphics to bring your walls to life. Custom printed Polycril, can help transform your wall spaces into an impressive, engaging and exciting wall display using one piece of material.
This innovative production method reduces material consumption while eliminating unsightly seams and joins that are common in traditional wallpaper installations. One-piece wall coverings create a continuous, uninterrupted visual effect that improves the aesthetic appeal of any space. These wall coverings are installed in the same way as traditional wallpaper, but with one major difference: there are no vertical joints every 52cm!
The result is vibrant, high resolution imagery that never fails to transform walls, communal spaces, meeting rooms and sales spaces and creates far more than a lasting first impression.
The material which conforms to a EN 13501 Fire Rating, is the perfect solution for new build, contemporary and refurbished interiors that need a versatile, eye-catching wallcovering that communicates key messages and re-enforces brand identity.
Mandatory signs such as safety, fire safety, hazard and warning signs are fundamental to the safety of building users and visitors. They should be located at strategic points and include prohibition, warning, fire action, mandatory and escape signage elements.
Synergy designs and manufactures a range of high quality fire and safety signs that comply with all current BS and EC regulations.
Fire safety signs from Interplan, provide a premium range of fixings and finishes to suit any budget. Whilst we are now manufacturing signage to meet the ISO7010 standard, we are still holding stock of the EC Directive 92/58/EEC and both styles are available here for the immediate future.
It can be tough keeping up with seemingly never-ending changes to safety sign legislation. From BS 5499, ISO 3864, 92/58/EEC, and the soon to be introduced European safety sign standard EN 7010, each has brought, sometimes only subtle, changes.
But whether it’s to signpost emergency evacuation or fire protection, accident prevention or to offer information about health hazards, it’s critical that the relevant standards are strictly adhered to across all safety signage; not only is this to make sure you’re compliant with legislation, but also because these quality systems have in fact been carefully thought out and tested – ultimately to save lives
SERVICE
The Synergy design studio is where concepts become manufacturing reality, and is the first stage of our Concept to Completion approach to the way in which we manage your project. The signage design solutions we create start with inspiration, a collective creative imagination and an excellence in their approach to design detail.
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