Beyond compliance:
Designing ADA signage with intention
By Lauren Stern
Photography by Megan Morales
Signage is never just about labeling a space. It is about shaping how people move through and experience their environment in a way that feels thoughtful and intentional.
An experiential designer’s work sits at the intersection of material exploration, environmental storytelling, and functional wayfinding. ADA compliance is part of that process from the very beginning, not something added on later.
When accessibility is considered early, it helps guide each phase of a project. It influences initial concepts, material choices, fabrication, and installation. Instead of feeling like a constraint, it becomes a framework that brings clarity and cohesion to the entire signage system.
Projects like The Devon, Spinning Mill Lofts, and The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk show how ADA requirements can actually strengthen design decisions. In each case, compliance helped shape systems that feel connected and well thought out.
ADA compliance as the foundation of the sign system
One of the first steps in my process is understanding the full signage system before moving into design.
ADA guidelines help define that structure early on by outlining what types of signs are needed, where they should go, and how they function. This usually includes room identification, restroom signage, wayfinding, and other required elements.
Thinking through these pieces upfront helps the system feel cohesive instead of pieced together later. Intentionality is a big part of my approach. It is not just about meeting code. It is about doing it in a way that feels considered and integrated.
When accessibility is built in from the start, every element works together to support a smooth and intuitive experience.
The Devon - Photography by Megan Morales • Client: Hines • Fabricator: Confidential
The Devon: Organic form within a structured system
The Devon is a great example of how expressive design and ADA compliance can work together. The interiors feature warm tones, rich materials, and organic forms. The signage reflects that same language. Instead of standard rectangular signs, the design explores fluid, sculptural shapes that feel soft and inviting.
Behind those forms is a clear and structured system. ADA requirements guide key elements like contrast, typography hierarchy, pictograms, tactile lettering, Braille, and spacing. Even within more organic shapes, those details remain precise. That balance is what makes the project successful. The design feels relaxed and expressive, while the system behind it stays clear and intentional.
Spinning Mill Lofts - Photography by Megan Morales • Client: Taft Development Group • Fabricator: Wood-Graphics
Spinning Mill Lofts: Clarity through restraint
At Spinning Mill Lofts, the ADA approach is more minimal, with typography leading the design. Clean pictograms, a dark gray background, and crisp white type create a strong contrast and make everything easy to read. Consistent spacing and alignment establish a clear rhythm across the system.
The design leans into simplicity, with subtle industrial touches like small yellow accents and corrugated metal laminate adding character and referencing the building’s history as a textile mill. The system feels understated and assured, complementing the space rather than competing with it.
Metropolitan at the Riverwalk - Photography by Megan Morales • Client: Confidential • Fabricator: Duncan-Parnell
The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk: Material-driven decisions
For The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk, the design is influenced by materials and the environment. Inspired by its waterfront setting, the ADA signage uses matte acrylic to reduce glare and improve readability in changing light. The overall look stays clean and understated.
Instead of relying on bold color contrast, the design uses layered materials to create distinction. Layouts are minimal, and dimensional elements are carefully controlled so they add depth without becoming distracting. The result is a calm and refined system that guides people clearly while allowing the surrounding space to stand out.
Fabrication as part of the process
ADA signage requires a high level of precision, which makes fabrication an important part of the process.
Details like raised lettering, Braille placement, and spacing need to be executed carefully and consistently. This often involves detailed drawings, prototyping, and multiple rounds of proofing. Even small adjustments can make a big difference.
Working closely with experienced fabricators helps ensure the final result stays true to the design while meeting all requirements.
Installation & environmental consistency
Installation plays a key role in how signage functions within a space. ADA guidelines define consistent mounting heights, placement near doors, and alignment throughout the environment. Keeping these elements consistent makes navigation easier and more intuitive.
This stage requires coordination between design, architecture, and installation teams. When everything is aligned, the system feels natural and seamless.
How ADA expands the design process
Across these projects, ADA compliance adds depth to the design process in a few important ways.
It encourages early planning, so signage is considered from the beginning. It requires more precision in layout, typography, and material decisions. It also creates opportunities for stronger collaboration with fabricators and project teams.
Instead of limiting creativity, these guidelines help shape more thoughtful and well-resolved design.
Accessibility as a design framework
In projects like The Devon, Spinning Mill Lofts, and The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk, ADA compliance becomes more than a requirement. It helps shape clarity, structure, and usability.
The goal is always to create signage systems that feel both expressive and functional. Whether through organic forms or clean, minimal typography, accessibility helps bring everything together. When it is considered from the beginning, it does not restrict creativity. It refines it and leads to a stronger design.
Lauren Stern is the owner and experiential designer at Studio 618, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based consultancy specializing in story-driven signage and wayfinding. She transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences and authored “Signs Have Much to Say,” a children’s book about the importance of signage, available on Amazon. Learn more at studio618design.com.
