[Peace-discuss] public signs

[Karen Medina]

With regards to public signs, there is a lot of research that 
describes what people do and do not read. For instance, it is 
much easier to read something that has all the same font 
(especially the same size), sans-serif, and left justified. 
Hardest to read is ALL CAPITALS. A huge font next to a small 
font is only good for breaking up really long text (like 
articles). Black print on white background is easier to read 
than other color combinations. 

People often get overwhelmed by too much too read in public 
places (for instance businesses often place too many signs at 
a register with all with different colors and fonts and 
different information, and then are amazed at how few people 
read the signs and prefer to ask than to look for the 
appropriate sign). Simple and straightforward is incredibly 
affective.

To see any of this in action, just stand by a library 
circulation desk and watch people ask all sorts of questions 
like "where is the bathroom" to "what are the requirements 
for getting a library card", and notice that there are signs 
in plain sight answering these questions. It is not that 
people are lazy, it is just plain information overload. It is 
the simple sign that is easy to read (doesn't require extra 
work) that everyone reads and remembers.

-karen medina