Skiltning

Skiltning refers to the design, production, placement, and maintenance of signs used to convey information, regulate behavior, warn, or guide people in public spaces, workplaces, and built environments. It encompasses a wide range of sign types, including road and traffic signs, administrative and informational signs in public buildings, safety and hazard signs, wayfinding signs in transportation hubs, parks, and campuses, and signs used by private organizations for branding and directions. In many jurisdictions skiltning also includes tactile and Braille signs to aid accessibility.

Design and placement are guided by goals of legibility and quick recognition. Key considerations include typography, color coding, pictograms, symbol standards, size and spacing, material durability, and resistance to weather and vandalism. Signs should be placed at appropriate heights and distances, with sufficient contrast and illumination if needed. Multilingual and culturally appropriate symbols are increasingly used to support universal comprehension.

Standards and regulation vary by country. International references include the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals for traffic signs and ISO 7010 for safety signs, among others. Municipal zoning, building codes, and employer policies commonly dictate signage requirements for offices, schools, and workplaces.

Planning of skiltning involves inventory, design, installation, maintenance, and eventual replacement. Effective skiltning contributes to safety, efficient navigation, accessibility, and branding. It is often coordinated by municipal authorities, transport agencies, property managers, and private companies, sometimes through dedicated sign management systems.