The design of the one-meter anti-epidemic warning sign is not just a few lines on the ground

When I was sorting out background data recently, I found that the search volume for the keyword "epidemic prevention one-meter noodle warning sign" has quietly increased again. It seems that although the peak of the epidemic has passed, everyone's awareness of safe distance has remained. Many shopping malls, office halls, and schools are updating or redesigning these "safety guard lines" on the ground. Let's put aside those cookie-cutter design templates and talk about how to design this rice noodle to be effective, not rigid, and even a little interesting.

 We have to figure out why it exists

Don’t underestimate these lines and stickers on the ground. Their core mission is just one: Without the need for a dedicated person to shout constantly, silently guide people to keep a safe distance and maintain order.  The first priority of design is not "good-looking" but "effective". If the design is flashy but no one pays attention or cannot understand it, then it is a waste of effort.

This requires that it must “eye-catching”  , in complex ground environments (such as marble patterns, carpet patterns), it must be able to jump into people's field of vision immediately. High-contrast colors are the first choice. The classic "red and white combination" and "yellow and black combination" (warning colors) are enduring because of their strong visual impact, and they do not have to be so "dazzling". In some art galleries, high-end bookstores and other environments, dark blue with light gray, dark green with off-white can also achieve clear identification and fit better with the overall atmosphere. If you want to speak human words, you have to be careful * *

In the early days, many one-meter noodles simply and crudely printed "Please keep one meter away" or "1m". It's not that it can't be done, but it always feels like it lacks a little warmth. Good copywriting can make people more willing to cooperate.

• Direct command type:  “Please wait here" and "One meter apart, you are safe" are clear and suitable for service windows and queue entrances.

• Warm reminder type:  “"Distance brings beauty, and more importantly, safety" and "Step back a little and care for you, me and others". Such slogans with a human touch will be more acceptable when used in communities and hospitals.

• Fun and interactive:  (For children’s area) “Guess how far away I am from you? The length of a giraffe's neck! ” Paired with cartoon graphics, or "Please be like the Tyrannosaurus rex, keep a safe short hand distance", this design can effectively relieve tension and anxiety when queuing, and is especially popular with parents and children.

• graphic expression:  A large silhouette icon with a ruler, a smiling fish, or an open book in the middle is intuitive and interesting, and graphics are more penetrating than text.

The key point is, Copywriting should match the scene where it is placed , use formal and rigorous for government halls, and lively and cute for playgrounds, don’t get confused.

 Materials and craftsmanship, durability is the last word

No matter how beautiful the design is, if it wears out and cannot be seen clearly after three days of implementation, it is still a failure. The one-meter thread sign is a "durable product" and must withstand tens of thousands of sole frictions, cleaning and mopping.

• Floor stickers/floor stickers:  The most commonly used, low cost, quick to install, be sure to choose it High-quality PVC material, preferably with a wear-resistant and anti-slip coating on the surface (especially smooth tile floors) , the adhesive backing should be strong and sticky, but it should also be considered that it can be removed relatively completely when replaced in the future, leaving no residual adhesive. Don’t be cheap. Inferior stickers will wrinkle when exposed to water and become scratched, which will affect the image of the place.

• Spray or paint painting:  It is relatively more durable and suitable for long-term fixed points, but it has high requirements on the ground foundation, will affect the use of the place during construction, and is difficult to change later.

• Recessed or standing signage:  In some high-end places or fixed isolation belts, you can see metal and acrylic signs embedded in the ground, or independent vertical small signs. This kind of texture is the best and most durable, but the cost and installation complexity are also the highest.

• lighting/projection:  It is relatively new. It uses ground projection lights to produce dynamic one-meter lines or warnings. It is full of technology and is especially suitable for nights or dark places. The content can be replaced at any time, but it requires power and maintenance, and the cost is high.

 Systematic design, integrated into the environment without being obtrusive

The most advanced design is to make the one-meter line become part of the visual guidance system of the entire space. It does not exist alone, but echoes the guidance signs on the wall, hanging flags in the air, and partitions on the table in terms of color, font, and graphic style.

The main colors of the entire place are blue and wood, so the one-meter line can also be matched with dark blue lines and light wood grain bottom. The copywriting font should be consistent with other "safety exit" and "restroom" signs. In this way, the safety reminder is no longer a blunt "intruder", but a harmonious environment component that allows people to be guided unconsciously.

 Some details that are easily overlooked

1. Reasonable spacing:  One meter is a theoretical value. When actually laying, the psychological space and the position of luggage when queuing should be considered. If it is appropriately relaxed to 1.2 meters, the queue will be more orderly and people will feel more comfortable.

2. continuity of sight:  Queuing is dynamic. When designing, you must consider whether warning signs can form a continuous guide when a person moves along the line, rather than intermittently.

3. Cleaning and maintenance:  When designing, you should think about how to clean it in the future. Is it convenient for cleaning staff to clean it with a mop without damaging it? Are complex patterns likely to harbor dirt? Reserve a spare material for management so that local wear and tear can be repaired in time.

4. Accessibility considerations:  For the visually impaired, can we combine blind paths on the ground, or consider adding slight tactile distinctions (such as raised dots) to provide an extra level of reminder?

After all, the one-meter anti-epidemic line warning sign is designed with "lines" in mind and cares for "people". It is not only a product of an emergency period, but can also become a long-term manifestation of civilization and care in our public spaces. Good design can reduce people's resistance while completing its safety mission, and even bring a touch of brightness to boring waiting.

Next time you look down and see the lines and words guiding you under your feet, take a second look. Behind them, there may be a designer's careful consideration of how to balance function, beauty and humanity. As content producers, what we have to do is to explain the process and value of this consideration clearly, so that people in need know that this little one-meter noodle also has so much knowledge.