Nowon-gu Establishes Design Guidelines for Public Information Media

Unified design guidelines applied to banners, adhesive notices, and signboards... Restrictions on font size, type, color usage, and installation location set... Standard design for Nowon-type construction site hoarding to be developed by first half of this year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) has established the ‘Public Information Media Design Guidelines’ to be used for banners and signage.

The guidelines focus on harmonizing with the surrounding environment by reducing font sizes and avoiding excessive use of colors.

The public information media covered by the guidelines include three types: banners, adhesive notices, and signboards.

First, banners are standardized to a size of 5.9m x 0.9m to fit designated posting boards. The font size on banners is limited to a maximum of 30cm, and if images, real photos, or graphics are included, their area is restricted to one-third of the banner. The responsible department and posting period must be clearly indicated.

Next are adhesive notices. Their size must be smaller than the facility to which they are attached, and the guidelines specify that adhesive materials such as tape should not be visible when posted. According to the guidelines, installation should be minimized in consideration of the surrounding landscape, such as on walkways and park entrances.

Lastly, signboards. Support-type signboards are discouraged, and floor-installed signboards must be made of highly durable materials to prevent fading, corrosion, and peeling.

Common instructions applicable to all three types were also established. Titles should use Gothic-style fonts, and body text should be unified in Ming-style fonts, with complex and decorative fonts prohibited.

The fonts for notices are limited to two or fewer from the following: ▲Seoul Namsan Che B ▲Yoon Gothic 330 ▲Seoul Hangang Che M ▲Nanum Myeongjo B ▲Nanum Gothic B. Provocative and intense phrases such as detection, warnings, and fines are discouraged. Colors must be limited to three or fewer achromatic tones that harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Commercial areas should place signage where it does not visually obstruct pedestrians and drivers; buildings should install them on the lower exterior; parks and rivers are recommended to place them at entrances.

The department responsible for facility production must seek consultation if deviating from the guidelines. Design consultation should be requested from the Urban Landscape and Public Design Team, and installation must reflect the advice of the Chief Urban Aesthetic Planner.

The district is also developing a standard design for Nowon-style construction site hoarding. The hoarding design, applying basic colors of stone wall gray and tile dark gray, was pilot-installed at the Sanggye 6 District site in December last year. Based on comprehensive feedback and effects, a standard plan is expected to be completed in the first half of this year.

Previously produced administrative banners and signboards without standard designs used rigid and large fonts, complex images, and primary colors. This resulted in a lack of uniformity, poor readability, and disharmony with the surrounding environment.

The district established the design guidelines to contribute to uniform installation of signage across departments and to build a comprehensive management system for creating a pleasant street environment.

The district has also carried out an energy-saving LED sign replacement project to address disorderly proliferated signs, improving 79 signs on 3 buildings last year.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Since urban aesthetics through design enhance urban competitiveness, we will do our best to create a pleasant street environment that all residents can share.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.