The Psychology of Signs: Understanding Visual Perception

Signs play a crucial role in helping people understand the message being conveyed. The 'psychology of signs' refers to the study of how signs, symbols, and visual elements influence human perception and behaviour. Understanding this psychology is essential, as it can impact the viewer or reader. Onsite signs help shape perception, gain trust, and even improve customer experience. Effective signage can help draw people’s attention and convey essential information.


Whenever someone walks past your company, they are prone to see your signs. Signs are not just a tool to direct someone; they are also used in marketing and branding. From making people aware to promoting the brands, signs can be used in various essential ways. In this blog post, we’ll talk about how signs form a perception and what is the psychology behind these designs. Learn about why there is a need for signs in places like New Market, Barrie and more in Canada. 

Power of Effective Signage


Before understanding the psychology of signs, you must know why signs are effective and how these are used as powerful tools. Signs are primarily used to provide directions and information. Roads, public buildings, educational institutes, and more places have all the signs installed. Even in private properties, signs are installed to prohibit various activities.


Do you know? Signs are now also being used by business owners to promote their brand or business.


  • These are not just signs; they are powerful branding and marketing assets. They can make your business stand out. At Onsite, we offer customization options to bring your vision to life, inspiring you to create impactful signs for your business. 
  • Signs are an effective communication tool as these convey essential information. These can also help in conveying your business logo, name, working hours, parking areas, and more. 
  • Signs are not just about conveying information; they are about creating a lasting impression. Your signs are the first interaction your visitors have with your business, even before they see or meet you. They can significantly influence their perception of your business. 

Psychology Behind the Sign Design

Various psychological aspects are considered before signs are designed. Those aspects ensure that signs are compelling enough. These are some of the factors that influence people to follow the signs: 

Colour Scheme 

Colour is the most powerful element that plays a vital role in designing and shaping a perception. Colours evoke emotions, so whenever buying a sign, consider these colours: 

  • Red: This colour is associated with danger, prohibition, and more. Signs made of red are attention-grabbing. Various signs are made with this colour, such as “No Parking Signs and “Stop Signs.
  • Red colours cautious people beforehand, so whenever you want to let people know something that can be risky, choose signs in this colour. 
  • Blue: This colour represents reliability, mandatory action and trustworthiness. Signs created with blue often represent security and stability. 
  •  For Handicapped signs,” there are specialized guidelines by ADA. Blue colour at the background with a white figure on it is a must. 
  • The blue colour is used in the background due to the psychological impact of this colour. 
  • Green: This is a colour associated with nature and even safe conditions. Whenever one wants to convey a message related to nature, fire exits; this colour is used in signs.
  • For example, marijuana inNo Marijuana Signs is created with a green colour in Onsite signs. 
  • We also offer signs with green text to convey a message, such as "Keep Off Grass." 
  • Black: This colour is associated with authority and power. Onsite Signs meticulously use this colour in signs such as "No Pets," "No Parking," and many more. When this colour is used in these signs, it shows that you’re strictly forbidding people. 
  • Yellow: This colour represents warmth and grabs attention. It is used to highlight special features such as “Smile, you’re on camera signs offered by Onsite Signs. 

Colours play a crucial role in shaping an image. People’s minds work according to the colour they see. Onsite offers customization options, too, but your choice of colours should be wise enough to align with people's perspectives and effectively convey the message. 

Typography

The choice of typography matters a lot in signs. It can impact the readability and perception of the person. 

  • The texts and fonts used by Onsite are easy to read even from a distance. 
  • They’re consistent and there is a hierarchy maintained in it. 
  • To maintain the impact of the sign conveying information, sizes and colours are used according to that. 

There are various signs in which texts are not used, so there are elements such as pictograms which are used in it. 

Pictograms 

Elements like pictograms are used in almost every sign to let people understand what it means. 

  • It is hard to put some thoughts into words due to cultural and language barriers, so that is where pictograms effectively help people understand what this sign is about.
  • Pictograms used by Onsite clearly indicate the meaning, such as “Wayfinding Signs.” 
  • The pictogram used in “Handicapped Sign” is standard; everyone can easily decode the message it conveys. 

Placement and Visibility of Signs Also Have a Psychological Impact

Yes, it’s true that the placement and visibility of the signs also play a crucial role. Whenever visiting a building, where do you expect parking signs? It would be a place visible to drivers, right? On gates, entrances, or directions that lead you to the parking area. What if those signs are not placed or if they are placed on a poll which is not easily visible? No one would expect that these signs can be placed there. So, the placement of the signs should also be correct. Before installing signs, consider the following:

  • Location of the signs carefully, keeping the perspective of drivers in mind. 
  • The height, angle and distance all play a crucial role and impact the viewer.

Final Words! 

Effective signs are not about how well they are decorated with elements and borders; they are about how well they connect with viewers. By understanding the psychology of signs, you can effectively choose the signs and even get them customized by us. Transform your signs and even enhance the impact of your business with us. Visit our online store to order your signs for Barrie or Newmarket today!

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