Book Review: Signage systems & Information graphics

There are several books about signage systems and environmental graphic design available. Andreas Uebele wrote the book Signage systems & Information graphics and this is one of the best and most extensive books about signage available. I enjoyed reading and taking a detailed look at the projects spoken in this professional source book and with most of the described signage projects are a specific details by the designers. A truly great signage book, a total must have.

Signage systems & Information Graphics

signage systems and information graphics
The 336 counting pages book has a hard cover and is 28,5 x 24 cm. The pages read well and quickly you can find what you are looking for by the index. The text layout and choose of typography fits well and reads great, designed in a grid way (similar to how signage is designed). Andreas Uebele is a well known designer with the design identity agency in Germany “Büro Uebele”. They have managed to design many signage & information graphics projects in the last years, from airports, offices, library and more. The author describes the following elements of signage design:

  • Signage design, typography and how to choose a typeface
  • Production, planning and sign management
  • Projects from sign designs from all over the world
  • Extensive drawings and photos from sign projects

Typography & Signage

typography and signage
A key factor in signage design & information graphics is the choose of typography, with the choose of typeface you are able to make or break a design and its functionality. In the book is explained how to choose a typeface and what characteristics a certain typeface needs to have in order to be used in signage systems. Andreas Uebele mentions different typefaces that they used in projects and explains the differences between the mentioned typefaces. A good introduction into choosing a typeface for signage & information graphics. Further on in the introduction the book goes deeper into designing for signage and which methods to use in order to achieve an effective signage & wayfinding system. With various examples and drawings you quickly read how and what to design.

Sign Design

Sign Design
Sign Design
The book explains how to use proper color systems and how to place them into a environment to create a good working signage system. The author explains why they have chosen the color combination, typography and size of the airport signage project described in the book. A great insight in learning more about signage design. Further on there are more projects described and explained with extensive photo material and the actual production drawings. By the drawings you can get a good view of how the signage systems are designed and produced.

Signage projects from other designers

Sign Design
In the book are also described many other projects from different designers and design agencies than Buro Uebele, for instance Schiphol designed by Bureau Mijksenaar. There are various images and concept drawings aswel as the detailed information about typography, color use and more. By adding more information from other designers makes this book a must have reference guide into graphic design and signage systems. You get a clear insight of signage projects which control people in various fields of visual communication and showing them the way.

Availability of Signage systems & information graphics

Sign Design
This extensive signage graphics book is available from various resources, see the links below.

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Thames & Hudson (October 29, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0500513791 and ISBN-13: 978-0500513798
  • Buy from Amazon, Thames Hudsen and visit the corporate website from Büro Uebele.
  • Available from around $65,-
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4 Responses to “Book Review: Signage systems & Information graphics”

Vincent
November 5th, 2008

Sounds like a good read. You’re favorite book on the subject? Do you often go through books like this when you acquire a new project?

For the Dutch: it is € 46,99 at Bol.com.

1.

Sander Baumann
November 6th, 2008
DesignWorkPlan Admin

He Vincent - Thanks for the mention of bol.com, a good resource to buy the book. I read many books on signage design topic and this is a resource with many examples of European projects, that makes it very interesting for me to read. The book explains with many examples how projects have come together. I often go through my library to find matches of projects that I’m currently working on, this gives me insights from different angles. Thanks for your comment, appreciated.

2.

MP
November 6th, 2008

Very insightful breakdown of the book Sander. It looks like a good resource for anyone interested in learning more about signage design. Thanks for sharing. Have you heard of Symbol Signs: The Development of Passenger/Pedestrian Oriented Symbols for Use in Transportation-Related Facilities? There is also a Flickr set you can view. It looks like a good, albeit short body of work. Cheers.

-MP -MP

3.

Sander Baumann
November 6th, 2008
DesignWorkPlan Admin

Hi MP - Thank for your recommendation, very appreciated. I haven’t seen the book before, thinking about buying it, but it seems there a little available. Currently for mainstream symbols & icons I’m using the free AIGA systems & icons set. A worldwide approved collection, free for download in .gif and .eps file type. Thanks again for your comment.

4.

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