4.4 Project signs

FIP Manual, January 1988

Introduction

Signs that provide on-site information about government programs or projects form an important aspect of the federal identity. This section sets out the design standards that were developed to achieve a uniform appearance of federal project signs. It is intended for designers, communication advisors and administrators.

This section should be used with Chapter 470, “Federal Identity Program” of the Administrative Policy Manual, and the key sections of the FIP Manual, 1.1, “Design” and 1.2, “Message”. A familiarity with section 4.1, “Signage”, is essential to the proper understanding of the subject.

Scope Guidelines and standards set out the requirements for the design and production of project signs. The purpose of these signs is to provide on-site information about federal programs or projects, such as employment or public works. Project signs are intended for temporary use, generally for a period of up to two years and, depending on the project, may be for exterior or interior use.

These guidelines do not apply to signs that identify programs undertaken jointly with another level of government (see the section entitled “Identification of shared-cost programs”).

Determining the requirements The federal organization that is sponsoring the program or project is responsible for determining the requirement for a sign. A decision to use a sign, as opposed to other media, is generally based on the organization’s communication policy, cost efficiency, the feasibility of installing a sign, and the duration of the project.

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Signature and wordmark

The federal signature and the “Canada” wordmark are the key elements on project signs. They appear in a prescribed position on the top and bottom bands respectively.

Federal signature As required, a one or two-line signature is used on project signs (Fig. 1). Design standards prescribe the size and position of the signature within a sign layout.

Flag symbol

For the reasons stated in section 1.1, the modified version of the flag symbol is used for all project signs.

“Canada” wordmark The medium-weight of the “Canada” wordmark is used for all project signs (Fig. 2). Design standards prescribe the relative size and position of the wordmark within a sign layout.

“Government of Canada” signature This signature (Fig. 3) is used to identify programs or projects that involve two or more federal organizations. If required, the participating departments may be referred to in the sign’s message.

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Message

The sign’s message should consist of a clear and concise statement informing the public about the nature of the program or project. Texts must be brief; the main message should not exceed five words per language.

A federal sign that informs the public about a construction project should not include information about a contractor or consultant. Normally, such information appears on a separate sign.

For more comprehensive guidelines on the creation and presentation of texts see section-1.2, “Message”.

Examples of sign messages The following examples indicate how different kinds of information may be presented and how the text is structured (Fig. 4).

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Design standards

To achieve uniformity, a basic design consisting of coloured bands at the top and bottom of the sign has been adopted. The requirements with respect to the layout, signage typeface, character sizes and colours, are set out below. For details on the signage typeface consult section 4.5.

Relationship between bands and central area To achieve a uniform appearance, a certain relationship between the height of the band and the central area has been adopted. The height of each band should represent between 15 and 25 per cent of the total height of the sign. On a given sign, both bands should be the same height (Fig. 5).

Sign proportions In general, signs should be designed in a rectangular, horizontal format to accommodate the side by side presentation of the two official languages. Just as the relationship between the bands and the central area is governed by limits, there is also a range governing the proportion of height to length. The preferred proportion is 1:2, the minimum being 1:1.5 and the maximum 1:2.5 (Fig. 6).

Designing a sign to meet these proportions is generally achieved by an appropriate choice of character size ratios and line breaks.

Sign dimensions

The size of project signs varies greatly and depends on factors such as message length, viewing distance, site requirements and standard sheet sizes. The viewing distance, which determines the character size required, is an important factor. It ensures the effectiveness of the sign when installed. Furthermore, for reasons of economy, the dimensions should relate to the standard sheet sizes of the material to be used; e.g. plywood, vinyl, card or paper.

Character size ratios Generally, signs are designed by selecting two character sizes. By varying the size, emphasis is placed on the main message while secondary information is de-emphasized.

The most commonly used character size ratio is that of 1.5:1, where the larger size is used for the main message and the smaller size for the signature and any secondary information. Depending on message length and layout requirements, other ratios such as 1:1, 2:1 or 3:1 can be used. The standard character sizes that can be combined on a sign are presented in Table 1.

Viewing distance and character size

For guidance on the selection of the appropriate character size, see “Viewing distance and character size” in section 4.1. For the convenience of the reader, the basic data have been included in Table 2 of this section.

Size of the “Canada” wordmark

The standard size relationship between the federal signature and the wordmark is 1:2.5. See Table 3 for the corresponding sizes.

Use of standard spaces The layout of signs is based on the “x”, the unit of measurement used in signage. Each message element is positioned according to standard spaces. See Table 4 and Figure 7.

Certain variations from the standard spaces may be required when a layout must fit a standard sheet size. For example, a layout can be modified by using additional space for the sign’s margins. Any additional space should be distributed evenly to maintain a balanced layout. Conversely, where a preliminary layout slightly exceeds the dimensions prescribed for the sign, the minimum space referred to in Table 4 can be used. Any reduction from the standard spaces should be distributed evenly in the layout.

The use of minimum spaces should be avoided on exterior signs intended for long viewing distances.

Signature layout

To achieve visual balance between the symbol and the accompanying title, two size relationships have been established. Based on the number of lines used for the signature, these relationships are described below.

One-line signature

The ratio between the character size and the height of the flag symbol is 1:3 (Fig. 8). For example, when using the 50 mm character size, the height of the flag symbol must be 150-mm, or 3x.

Two-line signature

The ratio between the character size and the height of the flag symbol is 1:3.4 (Fig. 9). For example, when using the 50-mm character size, the height of the flag symbol must be 170-mm, or 3.4x.

Size relationships

Table 5 shows the character size with the corresponding height of the flag symbol using the two ratios referred to above.

Basic layout

There are two factors that affect the layout of a sign:

1. the need to select a character size appropriate for the sign’s viewing distance; and
2. the need to assess the economical use of sheet material for the sign’s substrate (standard sheet sizes of plywood, card or paper).

An evaluation of both factors at the layout stage should ensure that the sign’s message will be legible for the viewer, and that the sign can be produced economically.

Layout methods

A sign layout can be prepared with the aid of a computer or be drawn manually. Regardless of the method used, the basic steps are the same.

Manual layout

A manually prepared layout (Fig. 10) should follow the steps set out below:

• establish an appropriate character size ratio between the main message, the signature, and any secondary information, Table 1;
• lay out the message in the central area of the sign by referring to the standard spaces shown in Table 4;
• lay out the signature in the top band, Table 4;
• lay out the “Canada” wordmark in the bottom band, Tables 3 and 4;
• assess whether the sign layout meets the general design criteria set out under “Relationship between bands and central area” and “Sign proportions”;
• modify the layout, if required;
• select the appropriate character size for the main message, Table 2;
• determine the approximate sign dimensions by calculating the height and length of the sign on the basis of the number of “x” shown in the layout;
• make any adjustments necessary to fit the layout to a standard sheet size (e.g. spacing, line breaks, or character sizes).

Computer-aided layout

A sign layout is prepared by selecting the appropriate design program and entering the message. As required, the preliminary layout is modified to meet general design criteria, such as the relationship between bands and central area, sign proportions and standard sheet sizes.

Design variations

A variation from the standard may be needed when a project sign must meet special requirements. For example, it may be desirable to use an illustration depicting the building project, or a graphic device that reinforces the message (Fig. 11). Such requirements can normally be met without deviating from the basic intent of the design standards. However, variations in the use of colour or typeface are not permitted without prior consultation with the Administrative Policy Branch of Treasury Board Secretariat.

Standard colours

A range of standard colours has been adopted for project signs and shall be used as indicated below.

Top and bottom bands

The federal organization that sponsors the program or project can choose one of these four colours: blue, FIP red, green or yellow-orange. Generally, an organization would adopt the same colour for all of its project signs.

The contrasting colour used for the signature and wordmark is white.

Central area

The message shall appear in black on the white background that forms the central area of the sign.

Specifications for screen process printing

The numbers refer to colours shown in CGSB-1-GP-12, Standard Paint Colours.

Blue: 502-204
FIP red: 509-211
Green: 503-207
Yellow-orange: to be developed

Specifications for offset printing

Blue: Pantone 301
FIP red: General Printing Ink, 0-712; Inmont Canada Ltd., 4T51577; Monarch Inks, 62539/0; or Sinclair and Valentine, RL163929/0
Green: Pantone 348
Yellow-orange: Pantone 144

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Material requirements

Project signs are produced from a variety of materials. Advice on their use is available from the Canadian Government Expositions Centre of Supply and Services Canada.

General criteria for materials are set out in CGSB-109-GP-5M, Signage Materials, Interior and Exterior. Where applicable, project signs shall conform to this standard.

Reproduction of symbols

When preparing films or other items needed for reproduction, the original artwork of the flag symbol and the “Canada” wordmark should be used. The Administrative Policy Branch of the Treasury Board Secretariat keeps the original artwork and will provide it upon request.