Wayfinding Signage – Where Clarity Meets Culture  

Where the Journey Begins

When most people think about wayfinding signage, they picture arrows on posts or a big map at a trailhead. And while those are part of it, wayfinding is so much more. Good signage builds confidence, reduces stress, and even tells a story about the place you’re standing in.

As landscape architects, we think about wayfinding as part of the overall experience. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B — it’s about how people move through a site, what they notice along the way, and how the design itself reflects the culture and identity of a community.

At McClure, we focus on three pillars when we approach wayfinding: Clarity, Culture, and Connection.

Clarity: Making Navigation Effortless

Clarity is the baseline — signage has to work. People need to know where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there without second-guessing themselves.

As landscape architects, we bring an extra layer to clarity because we’re thinking about how signs live within the bigger picture. We don’t just drop a sign where it’s convenient; we look at the way people move through a space, where the natural decision points are, and how sightlines, plantings, or lighting might affect visibility.

Accessibility is always front of mind — clear fonts, strong contrast, universal symbols, and ADA compliance are paired with an understanding of different users, from families with strollers to people using mobility aids. The goal is a system that works for everyone.

When signage is thoughtfully placed and easy to understand, people stop worrying about whether they’re lost. Instead, they relax and enjoy the experience.

Culture: Telling the Story of Place

This is where wayfinding gets exciting. Signs don’t just direct; they also communicate identity. Every city, campus, or park has a story, and signage is a visible, tangible way to tell it.

We like to weave culture into signage through materials, colors, and design details that echo the surrounding environment. Maybe that’s using native stone for a trail marker, or pulling design motifs from a historic building nearby. In downtowns, it might mean banners or kiosks that highlight local businesses and historic landmarks. In parks, it could be interpretive panels that explain the history of the land and the people who came before us.

This is where we get to break away from the standard, utilitarian approach. Wayfinding becomes a form of placemaking — a way to reinforce pride, identity, and the uniqueness of a place.

Connection: Helping People Feel at Home

The real measure of good wayfinding isn’t just whether someone got to their destination. It’s whether they felt comfortable and welcome while they did it. That sense of belonging matters.

We design signage that works hand-in-hand with the larger site design — trails, lighting, gathering spaces, and open landscapes — to create a seamless experience. Safety is always part of that, from clear emergency routes to lighting that reinforces visibility after dark. And we always keep inclusivity at the forefront: multilingual options where needed, symbols that work across cultures, and designs that feel approachable to all ages and abilities.

When people feel safe and oriented, they’re more likely to explore, to linger, and to engage more deeply with the community around them. That’s the power of connection.

Where It All Leads

Wayfinding signage is more than a map or a marker. Done well, it’s an extension of the landscape and the culture of a place. It builds clarity, reflects community identity, and fosters connection.

As landscape architects, we have the ability to integrate signage into the larger vision — not as an afterthought, but as an essential piece of the user experience. At McClure, we design systems that guide people with confidence while telling the stories that make each place unique.

Because at the end of the day, wayfinding isn’t just about getting somewhere — it’s about feeling like you belong once you arrive.