Welcome to the Sign Design Society

The Sign Design Society (SDS) is for anyone interested in information and graphic communication within buildings and public spaces, including:

As well as raising the profile of our disciplines, we offer members a programme of events, resources and initiatives to help them:

To join choose a membership plan that suits you and sign up!

Our events

A bright, welcoming hallway brought to life with playful crane and floral illustrations in red and black. The terrazzo floor and clean white walls create a calm backdrop as a family walks through the space, adding a sense of movement and everyday life.

H2E studio co‑founder Ingūna Elere joins us for our July ’26 online seminar to demonstrate how clinical and structural constraints can be transformed into environments that are intuitive, emotionally supportive, and deeply human. An approach that is built on a three‑tier framework: Function, value and meaning. Ingūna uses two of H2E’s recently completed wayfinding schemes for the Latvian healthcare sector to illustrate this philosophy in action. She argues that environmental graphics and placemaking are not decorative, but essential therapeutic tools, turning complex buildings into spaces that are functional, meaningful, and emotionally restorative.

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Five open mouths excitedly sharing awesome ideas and accompanying hands 'exclaiming' to promote the SDS & SEGD London 17 September symposium (Postive Places) at London Design Festival 2026.

Discover what’s positive and exciting in the world right now for wayfinding and placemaking, from bold, people-first design to smart new tech.

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Third party events

Close up of wooden alphabet letter type blocks, displayed on a semi-reclined wooden frame (in the foreground), juxtaposed against a print room background

St Bride Foundation, located behind Fleet Street, houses the history of print and the skills that made Fleet Street the undisputed home of printing and publishing in London. A chance to explore our collections up close and learn about the fascinating history of print. Visit our atmospheric print workshop to see printing presses from the 18th to the 20th Century. Our workshop team, which includes journeymen and printers who worked in Fleet Street and the wider print industry, will take you through the story of print from the days of hot metal type. You will also explore our historical reading room where our resident expert will show you some of the treasures of our library collection, whether papyrus dating back to 1200BC, works printed by Caxton in the 15th century, or original artwork for typefaces by the likes of Edward Johnston and British road sign models by Margaret Calvert & Jock Kinneir.

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Typographics Conference 2026

Start date: 26 June 2026
End date: 27 June 2026
Photo of two speakers (Type Conference 2025) waving to the audience, microphones in hand as seated people (panel members? in the background on the stage clap in appreciation.

A design festival for people who use type. This two-day series of talks is the central event of the Typographics Festival, focused on the use of type across all design disciplines. Now in its eleventh year, this will be a hybrid conference.

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A composite of black & white yesteryear photos including one showing someone's hand cupping blackberries (still on the stem), with pink writing and doodles superimposed over it.

A panel and performance exploring how community-led spaces sustain and celebrate belonging in London. Supported Cities presents an evening of conversation and celebration as part of LFA. This event brings together community organisers, artists, and leaders of grassroots spaces across London, from sports clubs to creative collective, we will explore how belonging is built and sustained in the city. The panel will reflect on themes of care, inconvenience, and the labour required to hold space for others. What does it take to create and maintain places where people truly feel they belong? The evening continues with a live musical performance response to belonging, offering a shared moment to reflect, connect, and celebrate community-led city-making. Part of the London Festival of Architecture 2026 Programme.

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Black and white head shot of Michael Twyman in middle age, the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication, University of Reading, UK

Michael Twyman’s family and the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication would like you to join us to share and remember the extraordinary breadth and reach of Michael’s research, teaching, leadership and friendship.  

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The words 'Family Planning' in three different typefaces in white on a black background.

A look into non-linear type families and their conception, with Greg Gazdowicz.

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