Elevator graphics present a unique design challenge for creating environmental graphics. Think about what it’s like to be inside an elevator: it’s cramped, with primarily vertical space (and vertical movement), and you’re only in the space for a very short amount of time, while you’re en route to somewhere else. It’s not somewhere people tend to linger, nor is it a place where people are particularly focused on the space around them.
Types of Elevator Graphics
Despite these limitations, it’s very possible for savvy designers to create highly effective graphics that use elevator characteristics to their advantage. Elevators are some of the highest-traffic areas in buildings that use them, meaning that almost everyone who comes into the space will, at some point, be paying attention to an elevator. That means the possibilities for graphics are expansive:
- Interior and/or exterior (door) graphics
- Commercial, residential, or hospitality buildings
- Communicating sales/marketing messages or creating a mood in a space
- Renting out space for outside advertisers or extending the owners’ branding
- Full-coverage graphics or subtler details
Elevator graphics are also particularly connected to the subcategory of wayfinding and informational graphics. When designing around elevators, consider how to use the space for effective navigational information, from floor indicators to clear buttons, emergency information, maps, and more. These spaces also can be useful in providing information and ensuring accessibility in line with ADA guidelines.
Designing Effective Elevator Graphics
Because of the short, transient, and low-attention nature of people’s interactions with elevators, it’s important to keep a few key design principles in mind for elevator graphics: simplicity, functionality, readability, and engagement.
- Simplicity: Avoid distractions – get right to the point of your message.
- Functionality: Make it clear what the purpose of the signage is, and balance the aesthetic appeal with the branding, wayfinding, safety, or marketing messages.
- Readability: Text should be large, brief, and in an easy-to-read font, with a color scheme that makes the text stand out for quick comprehension.
- Engagement: Use images, copy, and color to draw attention to your message and keep audiences engaged, even in the brief time span they’re exposed to the graphics.
These principles should be kept in mind when you’re considering the themes or concepts behind your elevator designs. You might choose to use your elevators to convey important information or drum up interest in a product or service, or you might want to use the space as an extension of your branding in general. Consider what “themes” tie into your brand and the purpose of the building. Do you use a lot of natural elements and biophilic design? Your elevator graphics might depict natural vistas. Is your building sleek, modern, or tech-driven? The elevator might go with minimalist, futuristic designs. Are your elevators in a cultural or educational space? Perhaps the elevator graphics depict an interesting bit of information, historical event, art theme, or something else coordinated with what they’ll find throughout the building. Ultimately, your elevator graphics should create a distinct experience that also aligns with the rest of the building, all in a small space.
The choice of materials is perhaps more important in elevator graphics than in most other kinds of environmental graphics. Remember: elevators are high-traffic, confined spaces, where people and objects are likely to frequently bump up against the walls and doors, touch the buttons and sides, and more. In order to keep your messaging clear – and avoid constant, costly re-applications – you’ll need to choose durable materials that are designed to resist peeling, scratching, scuffing, and fading, while also complying with all safety standards.
Installation, Maintenance, and More
Installing elevator graphics can be a breeze when you work with an experienced design and print company like Priority Construction! We understand the best practices for installing graphics in elevators, from the right choice of materials and adhesives to speedy timeframes to avoid leaving your elevators out of service for too long. And, when the time comes, we’ll work with you to uninstall, update, or replace the graphics to keep things feeling fresh.
Maintaining elevator graphics is, likewise, easier than you think! For most pieces, you can simply wipe them down with a lint-free cloth, mild soap, and water, then dry them with another cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, scrubbing, and solvents, as they can damage the finishes and inks used on the graphics. Floor graphics may occasionally need a little more care, such as waxing, but you can talk to your graphics installer to determine their recommendations for each specific piece.
Elevators can be dynamic canvases for extending your branding and conveying your messages. It just takes a little creative thinking! Make the most of your small space – talk to Priority Construction to learn more about how we can help you design and install elevator graphics to suit your needs.
