design in society

Look around a public place and I guarantee you that you will see a box hanging from the ceiling that contains glowing red or green letters that read E-X-I-T. What is it? It’s an exit sign. This simple design can save lives. It points people in the correct direction to the nearest emergency exit, which is why so many fire, building, health and safety codes require such a simple sign. All around the globe, all public buildings contain this basic sign which con sometimes include a little man running out the door.

This is a universal symbol for emergency exit. Can you imagine a world without a heavily regulated design? The emergency exit symbol could be hidden on the floor in some fancy, tiny lettering you can barely read that blends in with the décor of the building. Then a fire occurs and people are frantically looking around for the nearest exit. Foreigners have no idea what to look for, and you might be having just as much trouble locating the obscured sign. With the universal glowing symbol located on the ceiling, it is much easier to spot. This is because the design is so simple, it is universally understood that it is the sign that points to an exit and cannot be mistaken for anything else. It is also a blaring, unavoidable design that can be seen by everyone who looks up. Our society depends on the consistency of these designs to save lives and get as many people directed to the doors in emergency situations.