At Destination by Design, we partner with civic leaders across the U.S. to plan, build, and promote vibrant places. Our services include community branding, trail and park planning, wayfinding planning, sign design and destination marketing—all aimed at boosting quality of life and economic vitality. Looking to move your community forward? View services and contact us today.
Wayfinding Signage Isn’t Just for Tourists
Municipal wayfinding systems benefit far more than just tourists—they serve as essential infrastructure for residents, business owners, and service providers alike. Clear, consistent signage enhances daily navigation for locals by improving access to civic buildings, parking areas, recreation facilities, and trail networks. It supports economic development by directing foot and vehicle traffic to commercial districts and underutilized civic areas, helping communities thrive. For emergency services, maintenance crews, and delivery drivers, intuitive wayfinding reduces response times and routing confusion. Additionally, well-designed signs reinforce community identity and pride, enhancing your town’s sense of place for everyone who lives, works, or invests there.
Economic Impact:
The easier it is to navigate, the more time people will spend in your community.
Wayfinding Is a Pillar of Place Branding
Carefully consider typography, iconography, color palette and building materials- your sign design should feel uniquely yours. Consistent branding across all sign types, from parking to pedestrian, builds recognition and communicates what makes your community special. You tell us your vision—we provide the expertise to shape signage systems that reflect your community’s values, brand, and personality. Together, we create wayfinding that not only guides, but tells your story.
Pro Tip:
Avoid generic styles that could fit “Anywhere, USA.” Instead, opt for custom signage that ties in historical, geographical, or cultural elements.
Great Wayfinding Systems Start With a Plan
Jumping straight into sign design without a location plan often results in mismatched signs, overlooked destinations, and a confusing experience for users. A comprehensive wayfinding location plan serves as the strategic backbone of any sign system. It identifies key destinations, maps out primary travel routes, and pinpoints critical decision points- such as intersections, trailheads, and entry corridors- where signage is most needed. The plan also considers user perspectives (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists), visibility, and accessibility to ensure that signs are placed where they’ll be most effective. By aligning signage placement with real-world navigation patterns and following the necessary regulatory guidelines , a location plan ensures the system is intuitive, consistent, and scalable for future growth.
Planning Before Design = Money Well Spent.
Signage Boosts Foot Traffic in Business Districts
A clear sign system connects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to underutilized areas- like side streets, pocket parks, or lesser-known business districts. These “hidden gems” often have a hard time drawing attention. Signage can change that. According to the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service, effective wayfinding systems not only improve navigation but also encourage deeper exploration of a community, increasing foot traffic to lesser-known destinations. In fact, revitalized signage and wayfinding strategies have been shown to boost visitor engagement and economic activity in overlooked public spaces, transforming them into vibrant community assets.
Economic Impact:
More foot traffic translates to more revenue for local shops and restaurants. Signage creates a visual invitation to stay, explore, and spend.
Pedestrian and Trail Signage Deserves Just as Much Attention as Vehicular Signs
People leave their cars behind once they park. Then what? Without pedestrian-oriented signage including maps, directional blades, trail signs, confidence markets, and kiosks, people may miss nearby assets or trail spurs. A smart pedestrian wayfinding system creatively continues the navigation process all the way from the car, to the coffee shop, or the overlook- or from the park entrance, to the playground, to the trailhead.
Design Tip:
When possible, include walking distances or estimated minutes to help people feel confident on foot or on bike.
Materials and Maintenance Matter
It’s easy to overlook durability, but signage must hold up to weather, wear, and time. Choosing the right materials (e.g., powder-coated aluminium and High Pressure Laminates) ensures longevity and reduces future costs. All that said, a quality sign will still need upkeep. Make sure you have documented material warranties and a well thought through maintenance plan.
Include a Maintenance Plan:
Outdated or damaged signs are confusing and send the wrong message about your community. Keeping signage clean and current shows pride in your community.
Public Engagement Improves Wayfinding Outcomes
Your residents know where people get lost. They know which trailheads aren’t labeled, which side street leads to the park, and which downtown entrance is the least obvious. Bringing them into the planning process leads to better design and stronger buy-in. In fact, according to the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, communities that engage residents in wayfinding planning report significantly improved usability and satisfaction across all user groups.
When it Comes to Public Projects:
Transparency and participation builds community trust. Invite local feedback through online surveys, drop-in meetings, focus groups, or walking audits.
Partner With Experts Who Know How Signage Drives Growth
At Destination by Design, we blend planning, urban design, branding, and marketing under one roof. Our team works hand-in-hand with civic leaders to design wayfinding signage that serves residents, supports businesses, and strengthens community identity. From big-picture strategy to bolt-by-bolt design drawings- we help make every sign matter.
Let’s talk about putting your signage to work for your community. You bring the vision. We’ll build the roadmap.
