America's Byways® Resource Center

Wayshowing

Publications

Wayshowing: A Guide to Environmental Signage Principles & Practices

Per Mollerup was one of the first to coin the term “wayshowing.” Many of Mollerup’s concepts can be applied by byway providers. You will see offshoots of Mollerup’s ideas in this text.

Designers and manufacturers use the techie term, “wayfinding,” when talking about the function of signs and signage systems as they are used by the viewer. This book by acclaimed graphic designer and author Per Mollerup, seeks to find a more precise visual language for what sign designers actually do, which is to show the way. Unfortunately, as Mollerup points out, many designers never master the art of wayshowing themselves. For wayshowing relates to wayfinding as writing relates to reading and as talking relates to hearing: The purpose of wayshowing is to facilitate wayfinding. In this accessible but invigorating investigation, Mollerup examines international sign systems and architectural landmarks in detail with his trademark candor and good humor. His analysis is at once pithy, scholarly, and historical.