Interpretive Signs Course Self-Paced
An online introduction to planning, writing, and evaluating interpretive signs.
This is a practical introduction to the basics of creating signs: visual experiences for your audience that are attractive, brief, clear—and effective. A good sign is one that captivates your audience and meets your goals. We will investigate creative ways to achieve both ends, from planning through execution.
Course includes:
- Types of wayside signs, and how an interpretive approach enhances them all
- The planning process: understanding your goals, your audiences, and your logistical environment
- Interpretive writing: how to say the right words, in the right way, within an extremely concise medium
- Using images, illustrations, and infographics, and how to work effectively with graphic designers
- Testing and prototyping interpretive signs.
Meet Your Instructor
Don Enright is a freelance interpretive planner and writer with over 40 years experience in the field. Don’s interpretive writing has appeared in national parks, national historic sites, zoos, aquariums, and science centres across Canada. Learn more about Don at his website, donenright.com.
Educational Outcomes: You will…
- Identify goals and objectives for your interpretive sign project
- Identify target audiences for your signs
- Draft a creative brief to communicate your project to managers and contractors
- Understand and distinguish wayfinding, sanction/management, and interpretive signs
- Identify strategies to foster behavioural change through signs
- Draft an effective interpretive theme structure for a signage project
- Identify interpretive writing techniques for concise interpretive media; draft and redraft interpretive text for a sign project based on instructor feedback
- Identify and avoid less effective writing habits including clichés and excessive jargon
- Locate interpretive signs effectively on the landscape
- Evaluate and describe effective graphic design for interpretive signs
- Identify and describe different materials for the fabrication of interpretive signs
- Evaluate and describe the effect of 3D bases and housing for interpretive signs
- Describe potential interactive elements for an interpretive sign project
- Identify at least two evaluation techniques for interpretive signs in the field
- Understand accessibility standards for outdoor interpretive signs
Course Format
This course uses interactive online lessons with a group discussion group for support. There is also an optional practicum assignment in which you draft text for an interpretive sign and submit it for constructive feedback from Don.
Feedback from the Previous Classes
“What would you say to someone thinking about taking this course?”
“Interp Academy’s Interpretive Sign Writing course is well designed, interesting and relevant. It helps you to build a robust toolbox for writing and designing interpretive signs and provides a bench mark for best practices. The webinars and feedback provided by Don are invaluable. Don also goes out of his way to support students in their educational journey on this course and give personalized attention. I highly recommend it.”
“It is incredibly helpful! Full of truly applicable and effective tools. An excellent and deeply practical foray into how to create the best signs for your site.”
“It’s a great course. It will make you a better interpretive writer and help you create better interpretive panels and signs. It is a great format. It is very doable for working professionals to fit in as affordable professional development.”
“Don’t just consider taking it – take it! Don is an incredibly experienced interpreter – his course takes all that experience and knowledge and shares it in an engaging way. Having the chance to learn from other interpreters was wonderful as well.”
“I would highly recommend this webinar to every organization. No matter who you are, you’re bound to create even the simplest of signage and it is so helpful to keep in mind all the factors that could make that one sign effective.”
“You will learn so much and your work will improve a lot!”
“Just do it! You will learn a lot of principles that apply not just to signs, but for other products. And, if you’re not familiar with thematic interpretation, you will get a healthy introductory dose of it.”
“Take it – it’s worth every cent and you’ll have fun.”
“Don’t hesitate. It is worth the time investment. If this is an area where you want some professional guidance, you’ll be glad that you took the time. It was worth the investment of my time, absolutely. I’d take it again in a second!”
Certification
You will receive a Certificate of Completion for this course upon finishing all online modules and quizzes. All quizzes are open-book and may be repeated as many times as you need to.
Payment
You are welcome to use the credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay checkout system within this site. Alternately I can invoice you if you contact me directly using the coordinates in the footer.
Group Booking
You are welcome to pay for multiple people—please include the names and email addresses of the participants for whom you are paying.
What’s included in the price?
- Individual feedback and support from Don Enright on your sign project in progress
- All online materials in an interactive learning management system, available for six months after the course
- Online forum-style discussion space exclusive to learners in this course
Terms and Conditions
By registering for this course you agree to our privacy, harassment, and refund policies in the footer of this site, below.