It seems like signage design failures still occur in today’s modern branding era, despite rigorous rounds of approvals behind the scenes. One signage shows “CAUTION – Children Drive Slowly1” – one would hope they wouldn’t be driving at all! Simple punctuation marks would convey an entirely different message, which one would assume it meant “CAUTION: Children. Drive Slowly.” But somehow, the design was approved, printed and displayed, allowing a passerby to capture the fail and share it online.
Errors in signages often tend to become viral, especially in today’s era where everyone can upload information online that is accessible to the public. Whether it is funny or not, it may have been a definite yes many years back. But in recent years, it may be more harmless than expected. It is a tricky spectrum to navigate, with lines blurred between clever marketing and unintentional mistakes. As we’re in the prime of information generation and sharing, design has never mattered more.
The power is within everyone, but so is the responsibility. With AI platforms, upgraded UI/UX experiences, modern editing tools and applications, professional-looking content is within the grasp of more compared to before. It is a great revolution as long as handled carefully. What we ought to understand is that AI is a continuously developing feature and may not immediately capture all sensitivities to aid in landing the message clearly.
Design fails can be witty, viral and a positive impact to the brand. But with poor execution, customers can be driven away, confusing those passing by. It may misrepresent the values you’ve worked hard on that helped build your business image. In almost all cases, these errors stay online permanently. It is key to advocate for design that’s not only attention grabbing, but also responsible.
Designing responsibly goes beyond checking if the material looks good, has a nice layout and font style. It investigates if the message makes sense and if it aligns with the brand’s values, therefore leaving an impactful positive impression.
At Kwik Kopy, we have made design more accessible and seamless through the Picsart integration in our website. However, we ensure to guide businesses in striking the balance between AI and the human element. Our design experts are readily available to ensure the entire process is strategically executed with purpose.
AI is a powerful tool but it is not a replacement for creativity, understanding and proper judgment. Brands ought to give proper attention to detail beyond automation.
Signage design fails can be hilarious, but can also serve as a reminder that great designs are products of well-executed strategies with the human touch that no software can ever replicate. Signages speak volumes for businesses. They are a mirror image of the brand.
Contributed by Sonia Shwabsky, CEO, Kwik Kopy Australia