When a warning sign is more than just a warning, how to design an unforgettable sign image?

Recently I have received a lot of messages backstage, and one of the most frequently asked questions is: “I want to make a warning sign picture myself, where should I start? ” To be honest, this question sounds simple, but if you really want to make a warning sign that is both effective and not rigid, there are many ways to do it. Today we will put aside those boring tutorials and chat like friends, how to create a "talking" warning sign picture.

Don’t rush to open the software yet – think clearly about what it is going to “roar”

Many people make the mistake of looking for a template and choosing a color in the first step. However, the core of warning signs is not "good-looking" but "effective". You have to sit down and think about it first.: Where is this sign? Do you remind people to pay attention to machinery in the workshop, or remind pets to defecate in the community? Who is the target? Is it a passerby passing by in a hurry, or an employee who has been working for a long time? High Voltage Danger" and "Slip with Care", the urgency and tone are completely different.

I have seen a particularly interesting example. A friend worked as a security guard in a warehouse. He felt that everyone was numb to the "No Fireworks" sign. Later, he changed his mind and made a picture. Instead of the usual red circle and slash, he drew a burning cigarette and wrote it in large and bold fonts next to it.: “Hey! Guess if you smoke here, the fire will go out first, or the work will go out first? ” The effect is surprisingly good. You see, a little humor or a sense of dialogue is more penetrating than a blunt prohibition. Before you act, use one sentence to clearly explain your intentions to your imagined audience.

Visual "three axes"”: Colors, graphics, text, none of them should be ambiguous

Now that we’ve thought about it, let’s talk about vision. It’s like cooking. The ingredients (content) are ready, and how to stir-fry to create a good flavor is the key.

• Don’t mess with the colors:  Safety colors such as red, yellow, blue and green have "industry slang", and red means "Stop!" prohibit! Danger! ”, yellow means "be careful, pay attention", blue means "must obey", and green means "safety, pass". This is the visual consensus accumulated over decades. Don't change it randomly for the sake of being new and different. For example, if you make the "fire escape" pink, it will be a joke. But you can play some tricks on the main color, such as deep red with bright yellow, the contrast is strong, and the impact is instantly full.

• Graphics are quick shooters:  The human brain processes images countless times faster than text. An eye-catching exclamation point, a skull, or a fallen cartoon man can convey core information in an instant. There are many free vector icon websites with rich resources, but remember that the graphics must be concise and easy to recognize. Don’t make those abstract arts that make people guess for a long time.

• The writing should be as concise as a telegram:  The warning is not an article. It is best to keep it within 6 words. The font must be clear and thick to ensure that it can be read clearly at a distance and in poor light. Sans-serif fonts such as bold and variety are safety signs. In terms of layout, the key information should be enlarged. If necessary, you can compare it with Chinese and English. Don't use those fancy handwriting or serif fonts. They are posters, not warning signs.

tool? Just choose something comfortable!

Speaking of which, you may want to ask what software to use. In fact, the tools are not that mysterious. Professional designers use Adobe Illustrator (AI) or CorelDRAW, because they make vector graphics, will not be blurry no matter how many times you zoom in. But for most of us, some online design platforms like Canva, Draft Design, or domestic graphics drivers are completely sufficient. They have a large number of warning sign templates, and you can directly change the words and colors, which is very convenient. Even if you play PPT and Word well, you can also make a good first draft. The key is not how advanced the tool is, but how clear your idea is.

A few easy pitfalls to help you get around them

1. information overload:  I wanted to write all the safety rules on it, but the sign turned into a "bulletin board" with no one reading it. Each sign had one message, focusing on the most critical point.

2. Fighting with the environment”:  Using dark green signs in a tree-lined area, or using light gray words on a gray wall, is simply "invisibility". Be sure to consider the background color and light of the hanging environment to ensure strong contrast.

3. Only punishment, no guidance:  “"Ban XXX" is important, but sometimes it is more positive to tell people "what to do", "Please do not trample on the lawn". Next to "No XXX", you can have a small arrow pointing to "There is a passage 20 meters ahead." Feel it, is it more comfortable?

4. It's done when it's done:  After making the picture, it is best to print a sample, or look at it on screens of different sizes to simulate the effect of the actual viewing distance, and ask colleagues and friends about their first impressions. Do they understand it in one second?

In the final analysis, intention is more important than technology

One last word, when making warning sign pictures, technology is the skeleton, and intention is the soul. It is not just a cold instruction, but also a communication and a kind of care between the designer and the viewer. Try to feel it from the perspective of the sign reader. Does your design contain this kind of empathy? A successful warning sign picture is one that can make people passing by in a hurry subconsciously stop, change their behavior, or even nod silently in their hearts.

Next time you think about "how to make a warning sign picture", you might as well ask yourself first: What do I want to protect through this small sign, and what kind of care do I want to convey? Once you understand this, all that's left is to let the colors, graphics and text "scream" for you. Give it a try and look forward to seeing your work!