2.1    Typeface [example using Helvetica]

[Your library] signage will be made using Helvetica Medium, upper and lower case.
 
 

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

1234567890 &?!(.,")
 

All overhead signs require letters at least 3" high to comply with ADA regulations.
 

	LETTER HEIGHT REFERENCE CHART
5/8 inch	can be seen up to	15 feet
3/4 inch		18 feet
7/8 inch		21 feet
1 inch		24 feet
1 1/4 inch		30 feet
1 1/2 inch		36 feet
1 3/4 inch		42 feet
2 inch		48 feet
2 1/2 inch		72 feet

 

The most readable arrangement of letters for sign messages is upper and lower case letters.  All words are capitalized except for articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.

Signs using all uppercase letters (capitals) require more time to read.  People might take the time to read a brief sign; a long one will be ignored because it is too hard to read.

In recent years internet messages have developed a "netiquette" in which uppercase lettering (capitals) is associated with shouting, which in most cases is not the message you want to convey.

Signs required by ADA to have tactile lettering (wording underneath symbols or pictograms, names of permanent rooms or spaces) must have all upper case letters at least 5/8" high.  This is because upper case letters are easier to "read" by touch.

Example of Sign Wording
 

2.41  Letter and Word Spacing

The purpose of good spacing is to make all the intervals between the letters and between the words appear the same.

Words must be clearly recognized.  Therefore, word spacing should not be so tight that the words run together or so wide that the spaces interrupt the flow of reading.

It is important that the proper letter and word spacing be selected to meet the sign's funcional and aesthetic requirements.

The software of a word processing application will automatically work out the letter-to-letter and word-to-word spacing.  Sometimes, however, it is necessary to move letters closer together to fit them on a sign.  If this is done, check to see that the message is still readable (have someone else try to read it).  If it is too crowded, use a bigger sign board.

Normal Word Spacing

The space between words is one-half the height of uppercase letters.

E Example of spacing
 

This is true even when there are punctuation marks.

E. Exam, Jr.
 

Normal Letter and Punctuation Spacing

The space between letters and punctuation marks is approximately one-sixth the height of uppercase letters.

E E. Exam, Jr.

8:30

This dimension is necessary whenever the size of the sign board requires that the message be placed on more than one line.

There are two ways to figure line-to-line spacing:

Baseline to Baseline

This dimension is given from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next line.  Minimum baseline to baseline distance is 1.5 times the letter height.
 

Example of
a Sign Face
 

Interline

This dimension is given from the baseline of one line to the top of the tallest flat letter of the next line.

The dimension must be large enough so that the descenders of the top line do not touch either the uppercase letters or the ascenders of the next line.  Minimum  interline distance is one-half the letter height.
 

Example of
a Sign Face
 

Example of                                         O Another
a Sign Face                                            Example
 

T (Top Margin).  From the top edge to the top of the uppercase letter and/or ascender.
B (Bottom Margin).  From the bottom edge to the baseline of the last line.
L (Left Margin).  From the left edge to the beginning of the message.
R (Right Margin).  From the right edge to the end of the message.
S (Symbol Margin).  From the edge of the symbol to the edge of the message.
 
 

Flush Left

The right margin should be equal to or larger than the left margin.

Example of                                        Example of
a Sign Face                                       a Sign Face

For visual balance, the bottom margin is always slightly larger than the top margin.
 
 

Example of                                        Example of
a Sign Face                                       a Sign Face
 

Descenders and the Bottom Margin

When determining the bottom margin, make certain that there is sufficient space for the descenders to fit within the signface.

 

Example of                                        Example of
a Sign Face                                       a Sign Face
 

2.5    Arrow Placement

Single Direction

The following are the three ways of placing a single arrow on one sign face.
 

Arrow above wording.
 

Arrow next to wording.
 

Arrow below wording.
 
 
 

left                                        angled up left                                        angled down left                                        up or ahead
 
 
 
 
 

right                                    angled up rignt                                     angled down right                                    down or ahead
 
 

Signs Above Eye Level

Down arrow indicating straight ahead; up arrow indicating straight ahead.
 
 

Signs At or Below Eye level

Up arrow indicating striaght ahead.
 

Indicating Order of Destinations

For signs that indicate more than one destination in a direction, the destinations should be alphabetized top to bottom, or in order of appearance with the first destination at the top.  This is true for signs above, at, or below eye level.

To eliminate confusion when destinations are stacked flush left, the 'right" arrow should appear on the right side.