If you are like most of us, then you would assume when someone is talking about more than one sign, then they are referring to signs. While that may be true in some instances, it is not the definition when dealing with graphics, etc. In that case, the word is actually signage, and while it can mean more than one sign, more often than not it refers to the designs or use of signs and symbols. A great example would be the graphic symbols that were developed as part of a system for different public facilities, such as a bus station.

In digital design it means a different way of advertising. In the 1970s the concept emerged; however, before the advent of commercial advertising almost everything was pre-recorded. Now these technological advertisers are used effectively in business marketing. Having these digital advertisers allows large business organizations to make use of electronic screens for advertising. It is a great way to convey your information, advertisements or any other information to your students, colleagues, customers and the general public.

In very simple terms, this digital type of file can start out as a PowerPoint presentation and then, using a digital software package, it can be shown on an LCD monitor, including the large format, large plasma screen, projectors and multiple monitors. The locations where they may be used is almost endless; a shopping mall, airport, restaurant, on highways giving road and traffic conditions, along with numerous other locations.

From a local government's point of view, public safety is their number one priority and since signs exist to communicate information, what better way than using signage to help ensure their safety. Unfortunately, in many communities there is an ongoing debate between the planning profession and the sign print design industries and they do not communicate effectively. Many say that the different types of signs used are actually considered "visual clutter" and of course, with the government's concern for public safety, a compromise is rarely reached.

While any collection of correlated signs can be considered one of these systems, it is usually used to refer to a group of signs with coherent custom designs and purpose. Frequently, significant effort is put into creating a presentation that takes human reactive responses to color and typefaces into consideration.

There are entire signage systems as well, meaning they are visually oriented information systems consisting of signs, maps, arrows, color coding and even pictograms. These systems differ from other methods of information because they typically guide people's passage through a physical area, such as road signs on a highway, subways signs and even overhead signs in an airport. All are common examples of this system.

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