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1. Introduction
Wayfinding is considered a challenging task in environmental settings with high levels of spatial intricacy, particularly when combined with a person's unfamiliarity with the specific environment. In some cases, wayfinding difficulties can cost institutions huge sums of money (Zimring, 1990). During wayfinding, a navigator must rely on information from their surroundings to acquire the environmental knowledge necessary to locate their destination. This environmental knowledge concerning potential routes and destination can be obtained from – amongst other resources – maps and information signage. Although signage is not the only wayfinding aid present in spatial settings, it has been proven of great importance in gathering environmental information and reducing wayfinding time and frustration (Carpman and Grant, 1993; Rodrigues et al., 2018). Multiple studies (Butler et al., 1993; Fewings, 2001) have suggested that signage carefully placed in the environment can reduce wayfinding difficulties. A study by Holscher et al. (2007) found that in the co-presence of wayfinding signage, the usage of a map for acquiring environmental information reduced by nearly two-thirds. Multiple factors enhance the impacts of signage while delivering environmental knowledge, including the design of information, signage visibility, location, materials, lighting and placement. One study (Sadek, 2015) suggested that the signage position along with its design can influence the navigator's wayfinding behaviour and performance. Moreover, if the placement of signage and design is distinctive to the background environment and attracts the viewer's attention, then it can deliver the requisite environmental information effectively (Tzeng and Huang, 2009). Environmental information can make the spatial environment legible for finding the required destination. In addition, the signage has several other functions, including but not limited to: providing instructions, demarcations, identifications and warnings, etc. (Landry and Bourhis, 1997; Spolsky, 2008). The identified core purposes of signage have been developed through its graphic, textual and symbolic information design.
1.1. Signage categories
The information signage has several classifications based on its provided information category and purpose. An investigation by Tzeng and Huang (2009) suggested a classification of signage design based on the type and detail of information, i.e. simplified and detailed information. According to this study, three classifications have been established based on the nature of information, such as direction, identification and orientation signage. On the other hand, a study by Boyd...