Is enough, enough?

I've discussed the Computer Lab @ the Oxnard Public Library several times over the past few weeks and — surprise — I'll be looking at it again for another UX adventure. 

This time, I'm looking at two (or more) existing signs at the library. As it happens, there are several that are ripe for redesign right at the Computer Lab's sign-up station. As I previously mentioned, the signs at the station are a bit confusing, as they contain a great deal of text but aren't displayed very prominently. 

The sign above the PC tower explains how to sign-up and — perhaps even more importantly — that you only need use the station if there are no available PCs in the lab. The steps are fairly easy, but very few (if any) patrons ever see the disclaimer about not really needing the station if the lab isn't at capacity. Further, the wording on the sign regarding PC assignment mentions a five minute "grace period" and screams "Do not wait 5 minutes!" at the end. What is really trying to be said is that, if you don't log in within five minutes after your name comes up, the PC you were assigned will be assigned to the next person on the waiting list. 

This sign is also a bit of a mess, according to Robin Williams (not that one), as it employs the following design faux pas... um, -es:

1. Centered text — it's safe, it's easy, it's boring. 
2. No contrast — no visual interest, so why look at it? 

There is also a sign in front of the PC that calls attention to the need for USB Flash Drives in order to save documents as the library discontinued using Floppy Drives. In 2009. The sign is — obviously so — a bit dated and that information (the date signalling the end of the Floppy Era) ceased being necessary to proclaim as of June 2, 2009. 

This sign is committing the following design infractions:

1. Centered text — again, boring. 
2. No repetition — the centered text kills any chance of this, which is necessary to unify and strengthen the design (Williams, 2004). 
3. There is contrast — but it's just there to draw ATTENTION to an old date. 

With a little work, all the same information can be conveyed in a much more noticeable — and understandable — fashion.  

Here the steps necessary to sign up are clearly visible, and the size and placement of the new sign practically demands your attention. Patrons are more likely to understand that they can just waltz into the lab (if it's not full) and grab an open PC without using the station. But that's not all — it just looks cleaner.

That's because it also features the following design elements:

1. Alignment — we've flushed left; it's classic.
2. Proximity — this is done in a slightly unconventional sense, in that the first step (scanning your card) is in front (the arrow sign) and near the scanner. 
3. Contrast — two complementary fonts (one serif, one sans) and two colors are used throughout. 
4. Repetition — we have an ordered list and the paragraph formats of long, but unavoidable, text have the same format.

The second sign has also been redone and all the unnecessary information has been removed (e.g. that floppy drives have been discontinued and the date that happened). Further, a fun little graphic of a USB drive was added for those who might be confunded over what the heck a flash drive is ("You mean that stick thing?").

The new sign also features the following design elements:

1. Alignment — we've flushed left; it's also timeless.
2. Contrast — two complementary fonts (one serif, one sans) and two colors are used throughout; they're also the same as all the other present signage. This technically adds Proximity as all three new signs form a single visual unit. 

Granted, the entire user experience could be improved further if there was an actual sign-up station (i.e. a kiosk), but — I believe — a substantial improvement could be made to the existing setup with just a few sign tweaks. 

References

Williams, R. (2004). The non-designer’s design book. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press.