1. They Make Sure You Can See the Tarmac
A successful airport must have simple navigation. With the use of subtle design signals pointing travelers in the right way, travelers should be able to navigate from security to their gate without getting lost.
In the world of design, this procedure is known as wayfinding. Although signs are obviously necessary, it is better for designers to explore for more subdued solutions to aid with navigating.
For instance, in many modern airports, visitors may look through to the tarmac as soon as they pass through security, if not before.
A view right out to airside, where you can see the tails of every aircraft, is more significant than anything else. Is it important that it’s your aircraft? Most likely not. It provides you with guidance so you can typically understand that’s the way you should move.
2. The Signs Send Subliminal Messages
The design of an airport sign contains relatively little random design.
Consider the typeface, for instance. Helvetica, Frutiger, and Clearview are the three fonts you’ll find at 75% of airports. For better reading from a distance, all three are sans serif.
Unofficially, every inch of letter height increases the sight distance by 40 feet (so a 3 inch tall letter would be legible from 120 feet).
Different terminals may have their own unique signature sign designs, such as rounded corners or a certain hue.
You may be reacting to a subconscious cue, such as the change in shape from one sign system to another, if you ever find yourself in a confusing environment, such as an airport, campus, hospital, or other complex setting, and you suddenly feel off or like you are heading in the wrong direction. This is likely not due to magic or a brilliant internal directional sense.
