Decision Sign Design
Decision Sign Design
Introduction
Intention of the Design Guide
Key Issues
General Guidelines
-
Visual Obtrusiveness
Visual Clutter
Design Quality
Maintenance
Illuminated/Animated Signs
Introduction
Signs are essential to the citys commercial character and
activity. They communicate information, add vitality and provide
a sense of direction. But while they can enhance the cityscape,
they can also diminish it. If they are poorly designed or
inappropriately located, signs can detract from the surrounding
architecture, overwhelm public spaces and undermine streetscape
quality. Similarly, too many signs can create visual clutter that
reduces their effectiveness.
The design principles presented in this Design Guide encourage
appropriate signage that makes a positive contribution to the city.
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Key Issues
Types of Advertising/Signage
There are three main types of advertising signs:
x identification signs, which identify and name sites, buildings,
building uses and building tenants. Identification signs help
promote the citys institutions, businesses and buildings, and
enable people to find their way around the city.
x site-related advertising signs, which promote goods and
services available on the premises.
x third party advertising signs, which are not generally
related to their specific location. Such signs are often part of
nationwide campaigns promoting national or international
goods and services.
Signs take two basic forms those that are attached or otherwise
related to a building/structure, and those that are free-standing.
Signs related to buildings/structures may be painted, projected or
applied to a buildings exterior; attached to the building (against
its face or at right angles); or designed as three-dimensional
objects or site banners. Signs may also take the form of a visual
image projected onto a building wall.
Visual Obtrusiveness
Because signs aim to attract attention, they are often placed in
visually prominent locations where they can be readily seen by
many people and from many different locations. This means they
may become visually dominating, distracting, unpleasant to view
and visually obtrusive.
Visual obtrusiveness is directly linked to the scale, location and
prominence of the sign, and the method and intensity of any
illumination. For instance, highly visible signs that are oversized,
brightly illuminated and/or moving can easily become visually
obtrusive. The character of the surrounding environment also
influences visual obtrusiveness. For example, any given sign
may seem either appropriate or obtrusive, depending on the scale
of the surrounding space and the distance from which it is
viewed.
Obtrusiveness of signs is a particular issue when signs are
located in or near to Residential Areas, public spaces, or areas of
special character or heritage value.
Visual Clutter
A proliferation of signs within a confined area can create an
untidy appearance, or visual clutter. This both reduces the
effectiveness of the signage, and undermines the areas aesthetic
qualities.
Wellington City District Plan
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GENERAL GUIDELINES
1 Scale and Location of Signs
Objective
O1.1 To ensure that new signs are well integrated with the
building or site to which they are attached, and are
compatible with the scale, design and visual character of
that building or site.
Guidelines
G1.1 New signs should be designed to be in scale with the
building/site to which they are attached. To achieve this,
the dimensions of new signs should relate to:
- important dimensions of the building and its faade
elements such as height/width of the building faade,
windows (size/proportions), structural bays, spacing
between columns/pilasters, floor-to-floor height,
parapets, etc
- the dimensions of the site and; the size, arrangement
and design of any landscape or other features.
G1.2
window sill
verandah fascia
ground line
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2 Relationship to Surrounding
Context
Objective
O2.1
Guidelines
G2.1 New signs should relate to the character of the surrounding
area by taking account of nearby buildings,
streetscape/landscape features and existing signs. For
example, larger signs are generally more suitable for
vehicle-oriented areas; illuminated signs are generally
appropriate to entertainment areas; human-scale signage
enhances pedestrian experience and is most desirable in
pedestrian-oriented spaces.
G2.4
3 Visual Obtrusiveness
Objective
O3
Guidelines
G3.1 The visual impact of new signs should be examined from
the full range of distances the sign will be viewed from.
This is particularly important for large billboard and/or
illuminated signs located in heritage and character areas,
near Residential Areas and public spaces, or on upper
building elevations and prominent city sites.
G3.2 Billboard signs (free-standing or attached to buildings) that
Wellington City District Plan
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draw the eye from important vistas an identified viewshaft or detract from the character of buildings are to be
avoided.
G3.3
G3.4
G3.5
G3.6
4 Visual Clutter
Objective
O4
Guidelines
G4.1 To avoid visual clutter:
- consider signage at the outset when designing new
developments
- minimise the total number of individual signs on a
single building or site
- minimise the number of different designs, shapes and
sizes of signs on a single building or site. For example,
individual signs on the same verandah fascia should be
of a consistent width and compatible design
- consider the scale, location and positioning of new signs
relative to existing signs and other features on the host
building/site and the adjoining streetscape
- seek to integrate signage for buildings with more than
one occupancy (for example, with collective signs at
building/site entrances, or by adopting a uniform
design/style for individual signs).
- signs should not be hung from, placed on or supported
by other signs
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Guidelines
G5.1 New signs should be designed so they do not distract
drivers, or create confusion or road hazards for drivers or
pedestrians. This is particularly relevant in situations
where traffic is travelling at speeds in excess of 50 kph.
To achieve this:
- use appropriate colours and shapes, and locate signs
where they do not conflict with traffic control devices
(including traffic signals and signs)
- position signs so that they are either directed away from
the road or can be easily read by passing motorists
- use concise and clear messages with simple graphics
- ensure that glare from illuminated signs (whether
internally or externally lit) does not impair drivers
vision
- ensure that signs featuring any movement do not
distract motorists
Note, to minimise road hazards, new signs should be designed in
accordance with the objectives and standards of the Land
Transport Safety Authority Advertising Signs and Road Safety:
Design
and
Location
Guidelines
RTS7.
(http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/rts/rts-07.pdf)
6 Design Quality
Objective
O6
Guidelines
G6.1 New signs should:
- be visually interesting, and effectively convey
information
- exhibit a high level of design detail and graphic design
quality (for the sake of this guideline, design detail
relates to all aspects of the proposed sign, including
materials, workmanship, detailing, installation, and
lighting)
- use high quality materials appropriate to the streetscape
context and its locality
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7 Maintenance
Objective
O7 To ensure signs are maintained to a high standard.
Guideline
G7.1 The use of high-quality materials is essential to the
effectiveness of ongoing maintenance. Spending more on
materials initially may bring long-term benefits and
reduce maintenance costs.
Note, a maintenance plan/strategy including proposed methods
of cleaning, replacement of defective lighting and a detailed
maintenance schedule can also help ensure signs are wellmaintained.
Guidelines
G8.1 Signs on or adjacent to identified heritage buildings, or
within heritage areas, should be:
- consistent in scale, form, materials, colours and design
with the architectural form of the building to which they
are attached, and sympathetic to its context
- appropriately located on the building or site, and of a
compatible type and style
- of a high standard in terms of materials, graphics,
construction and detail
- an aid to identifying and understanding the heritage
item, if located on the front/main building elevation
- attached to the building with minimal intrusion into the
building fabric, and in a way that allows easy removal
without damage to any significant fabric
- designed and installed in sympathy with existing signs.
Existing signs with a heritage value should be retained
wherever possible, preferably in their original location.
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9 Illuminated/Animated Signs
Refer also to Signs and Road Safety Objective 5.
Objective
O9
Guidelines
G9.1 Illumination levels must be set so that they do not cause
glare or obtrusively impact on the neighbouring
environment.
G9.2 The cabling or equipment for any illumination/animation
should be concealed and integrated with the sign (through
the use of neon or internal lighting, or by well-designed
and carefully located remote or spot lighting).
G9.3
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