Shopping Mall Wayfinding That Keeps Shoppers Moving

• Multi-level centres with escalators, lifts and parking decks.
• Centres that have grown through extensions.
• Entrances that open to separate wings.
• Food courts and amenity areas that need clear signs.
• Parking areas needing level, zone and exit signs.

• Hanging directional signs: overhead in malls, readable above crowds, see Projecting and Hanging Signs.
• Floor-standing totems: at junctions, see Totem Signs.
• Level and escalator signs: with numbers and icons.
• Amenity signs: toilets, baby rooms, lifts, prayer rooms and first aid.
• Parking signs: zone colours, bay numbers, exits.
• Floor graphics: see Floor Graphics and Decals for queue and route markers.

• Aluminium panels and extrusions, powder-coated.
• Stainless steel frames and fittings.
• Acrylic faces with printed or cut graphics.
• Reflective vinyl for car-park signs.
• Anti-slip laminates for floors.

Hanging directional signs are often internally lit so they stay legible in busy concourses. Car-park signs may be reflective or lit. Amenity signs can be non-lit when ambient light is good. Lighting depends on power access and ceiling structure. Digital wayfinding screens are subject to technical assessment and confirmed availability.

• For listing tenants, see Shopping Mall Tenant Directories.
• For entrances and exteriors, see Shopping Mall Entrance Signs.
• For office building systems, see Office Wayfinding Systems.
• For estates and complexes, see Estate and Complex Wayfinding.

• Viewing distance and size: as a rough guide, many designers allow around 25 mm of letter height per 10 m of viewing distance; hanging signs need larger text than eye-level signs.
• Contrast: strong colour contrast helps older shoppers and people with low vision.
• Hierarchy: limit information at each decision point.
• Mounting: ceiling structures, bulkheads and columns determine fixing.
• Electrical access: power for lit signs.
• Safety: signs must not obstruct fire exits or sprinklers.
• Approvals: structural, electrical and municipal matters are checked at survey and design stage; the landlord or centre management usually has to approve.

• Number of sign types and locations.
• Level changes and hanging requirements.
• Lit versus non-lit.
• Materials and finish.
• Access, including work above shopper areas.
• Phasing and after-hours installation.

Dust and wipe regularly with a soft cloth. Inspect hanging fixings periodically. Keep a list of sign locations so repairs can be done quickly.

We survey and install by appointment from our Rivonia base across the province.

• Sandton
• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Midrand
• Centurion
• Germiston