Appendix GGuidelines for the design of logos (normative)#

G1General#

This Appendix gives guidelines for the design of logos for use on signs associated with tourist regions, themed tourist ways and tourist drives so that they can be easily recognised and therefore remembered and are suitable for use in the road traffic environment.

G2Recognition#

A logo should desirably be recognisable as an object whose form or meaning can be verbalised, rather than an abstract geometric design. This will enable travellers to more easily remember it as they attempt to follow the theme, tourist way or drive. If there is any doubt that a stylised graphical representation cannot be easily recognised, the designer should carry out a simple comprehension test by asking as many people as practicable, what it means. As a guide, at least 85 per cent of people asked should give the sought-after answer.

G3Legibility#

A logo should meet the design requirement of AS 1743 Road signs – Specifications in respect of the boldness of detail required for long distance legibility in the road traffic environment. As a guide, if the graphical design is superimposed within a 20 x 20 square grid, significant detail and line thickness should not be smaller than one grid square. All detail should be solid: this is, not in outline only.

G4Colour#

To conform to colour coding of tourist signs either the logo or its background should be brown. The most suitable colours for use in conjunction will be white or yellow. Dark colours on brown will not have sufficient contrast to maintain the necessary distance legibility.

G5Clarity of meaning#

Care should be taken that a logo does not convey a confusing or unintended message. Examples where confusion might arise include the following:

• a) A stylised numeral could be misread as a route number or a distance.
• b) A graphic close in shape to a standard symbol could be misread as having the meaning of that symbol.