Guided by graphics

Challenge

Signs, text, and graphics guide us through daily life. Visual communication has also been an important tool in communication from authorities to citizens during COVID-19.1 In Denmark, the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) created blue posters with instructive text and graphics that became ubiquitous throughout public space, the distinct blue colour functioning as a visual identity for the COVID-19 strategy.2

The posters form one of the Danish Health Authority’s communication tracks, focused on direct, objective, and action-oriented messages. But private actors have also needed to communicate via signs and other graphic means, such as painted arrows and markings on the floor. In larger organisations, where communication has to be broad, continuous, and convey credibility, signs have had to be updated and adapted to the situation and across the organisations consistently.

Solution

The Municipality of Copenhagen has set up an internal COVID-19 signage service to unify the graphic and linguistic expression in the communication to employees and guests in the municipality’s buildings. However, restrictions and instructions have changed continuously, creating a continuous need to respond quickly to new conditions with new graphic communication. This had to be done in a way that ensured that employees and guests had no doubt that signage was an expression of the organisation’s policy and was up-to-date. The Municipality of Copenhagen’s COVID-19 signage service therefore offers a large catalogue of different signs. The signs are intended to help all areas within the municipality, including offices, nursing homes, housing, and activity facilities.

The example shows that signage and graphics are important communication tools in a crisis situation. When the demands on our behaviour change, visual communication helps us to navigate; but it is crucial that communication remains unambiguous and credible in order to maintain confidence and adherence to guidelines.

Taxonomy

Sphere: Culture/Leisure, The Workplace, Civil associations

Timescale: Short Term

Type: Graphic Application

User Group: Youth, Adults, Elderly, Employees/Service Providers, Customers/ Users

Signs can be ordered and picked up at Copenhagen Municipality’s COVID-19 sign service

Employees from different departments can order signs for the municipality’s properties

Signs have been developed to meet various needs throughout the municipality

Project and location: KEID’s Offices, Copenhagen, Denmark

Contributor: Municipality of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Properties and Purchasing (KEID)

Established: 2020