Clarity in Signage: What’s Wrong with this Picture?

By December 16, 2013Communications

There’s some signage I encounter almost daily that to me, seems completely clear and easy to understand. It baffles me, however, how many times I witness others floundering about trying to figure out the directions and screwing it up over, and over again.

The parking lot I typically use has a pay to park machine with steps listed, 1, 2, 3 for gaining paid right to a space for 1, 2, or 3 hours of use.

Help me out, here, guys: what’s wrong with this signage? What could possibly be done better so people don’t have such trouble figuring out how to pay to park in this lot? Is it a little bit like when we pull on a door clearly marked push? Do our brains just override what we’re seeing? What do you think the issue is? photo 1

photo 2

One Comment

  • Carol Spry says:

    Ah, herein lies the bain of every communicator’s existence…”people do not read.” Instructions, at least!