Get your signs professionally translated If you type ‘mistranslated signs’ into your search engine, you will discover a wealth of – often amusing – examples of safety signs, street signs and other types of signage from around the world that have mistranslated information. Things like instructions and warnings have been rendered into English so poorly that their original meaning is lost.
Get your business motivated with signs Many people have a negative impression of this idea – perhaps from seeing some examples of overblown posters packed with flowery or nonsensical phrases. Yet, whenever we are allowed a peep on TV inside the dressing rooms of top sports teams, there they are!
Safety signs for your pub As a pub landlord or landlady, you’ll know that your customers (and your employees) aren’t always as predictable as you’d like. Your pub is likely to be everything to you – your home, your business and a place where your socialise with friends. So you don’t just need signs to provide instructions, you also need signs to protect yourself, your pub and the general public. Here are a few to include: Hygiene signs You might assume that hygiene is a basic in a food preparation or drink serving environment, but surprisingly your employees might need the occasional prompt.
Why are safety signs coloured the way they are? When it comes to health and safety signs, you’ll no doubt notice that different types of signs have different shapes: triangular or diamond shapes for warning signs, round for prohibitive signs and so on. But have you stopped to think about the different colours that are used in safety signs and why they are actually used?
Is your signage in tune with your mood? Recent research has shown that so called ’emotionally intelligent’ signage is much more effective than signage that is not sensitive to human psychology. So how can you make your signs as emotionally intelligent as possible, and maximise their effects on the minds of people viewing them?
The study of signs in folklore The history of signs and signage is a complex and fascinating topic; from blue plaques indicating the homes of important historical and cultural figures, to significant street names and iconic symbols, signs play an important role in our cultural heritage.
The art of signcraft - making the perfect safety sign Since this blog started, we’ve talked a great deal about both the visual and functional effectiveness of signs. But what factors make a perfect sign? What attributes enable a sign to fulfill its purpose with the greatest possible level of efficiency?
Safety signs for homeowners We see signs everywhere. Some are providing warnings, some are giving directions and some are offering us instructions or presenting us with useful information. Your home might be the only ‘sign-free’ zone that you ever spend your time in, but have you ever stopped to think how breaking down the barrier and adding signs to your home could make your life safer and easier?
Does size matter when it comes to safety signs? No business buys health & safety signs as decorative items: they’re there to be noticed. Some businesses may be tempted to buy the cheapest possible signs in order to save money while still complying with legislation…but this is one area where size matters. It’s no good buying the cheapest and smallest safety signs if they’re too small to even be read. Ultimately, you want your mandatory signs to be visible from a distance to ensure safety at all times. Some signs are perfectly adequate in small sizes: for example, a warning sign relating to a small piece of machinery really needs only to be visible as this machinery is approached. However, some need to be larger: if you’re putting a “no entry” sign up on a car park exit, for example, you’ll need it to be legible from a distance in order to avoid collisions.
Safety on the farm: How signs can help agricultural workers Few areas are as dangerous as a farm. Agricultural operations often utilise vast amounts of land, dangerous chemicals and machinery. As such, safety is highly important and the right health & safety signs are crucial. Here are a few agricultural areas that always need to be well signalled.