Wayfinding Sans

Ralf Herrmann, the designer of Wayfinding Sans, started this project with extensive field studies, driving tens of thousands of miles to explore the legibility of road signage typefaces in dozens of countries around the world.

After building his own theoretical framework of relevant legibility parameters, the design process used a unique custom real-time simulation software, which could simulate difficult reading conditions (distance, fog, halation, positive/negative contrast) while the letters were actually being designed. This process made it possible to optimize even the tiniest details of each letter for maximum legibility.

Being made specifically for wayfinding purposes, this type family does not compromise on any aspect of legibility — and yet, the typeface is a beautiful, clean and modern sans serif. With its broad language support and the large number of available styles it is perfectly suitable for any possible signage project anywhere on the world.

In an independent empirical study at the University of Applied Sciences “htw” in Berlin different typefaces were recently tested when used on signs and Wayfinding Sans Pro was the winner in all conducted tests, being significantly more legible and therefore superior to all other styles of the tested typefaces.