How to Design Office Signage in Australia: The Complete Guide for Startup Founders

Q: Do I really need office signage if I work from a small space?

Yes—even a compact logo sign, reception plaque or wall decal adds professionalism, improves wayfinding and reinforces your brand in small offices or shared spaces.

Q: What’s the most important sign to start with?

Reception signage. It is the first impression for visitors and staff, setting the tone for credibility and brand consistency from the moment people arrive.

Q: How do I keep costs down?

Start with high-impact, low-cost options like vinyl wall decals and wayfinding stickers, use standard sizes, and DIY non-structural installs. Upgrade to premium materials over time.

Q: Do I need council approval for signage?

Usually yes for exterior or street-facing signs. Check local council and building rules for size, placement, illumination and heritage restrictions before production.

Q: How often should signage be updated?

Every 3–5 years, or whenever your brand identity changes, the space is reconfigured, or signage is damaged or non-compliant.

Christopher. H
Oct 6
5 min read

When someone walks into your office, what do they see first? Your signage. It’s more than a label—it’s your brand’s handshake, setting the tone for every client meeting, staff interaction, and visitor experience.

Designing office signage isn’t just about putting your logo on a wall. It’s about workplace branding, business identity, and creating an environment that makes both your team and customers feel something. Done well, signage builds trust and credibility before a word is spoken.

I’ve seen both sides. Early on, I worked out of a co-working space where the “signage” was a paper printout taped to the door. It made clients question if I was legitimate. Later, when I invested in proper interior signage—clean, consistent, and aligned with my brand—the energy shifted. Clients arrived with confidence, and my team felt proud of the space they worked in.

signage for the workplace — Good signage blends **function and design**—helping people navigate while reinforcing who you are.

What Exactly Is Office Signage?

Office signage is any visual communication element in your workplace that identifies, directs, or reinforces your brand.

Types include:

Exterior signage: logos, building names, street-facing signs.
Reception signage: main logo wall, welcome messages.
Directional signage: wayfinding, room labels, safety instructions.
Interior branding: motivational quotes, wall graphics, branded colours.
Digital signage: screens for announcements or promotions.

Examples:

Canva’s Sydney HQ uses colourful wall murals that reflect creativity.
Googles’s offices incorporate way-finding signage with playful branding.
Many Australian law firms use sleek, minimalist reception signage to signal professionalism.

Good signage blends function and design—helping people navigate while reinforcing who you are.

Why This Could Make or Break Your Business

Strong office signage matters for several reasons:

First impressions:
Visitors decide if you’re credible in seconds.
Workplace branding:
Reinforces culture and values for staff.
Customer experience:
Signage makes navigation smooth and professional.
Business identity:
Every visual element builds brand recognition.
Compliance:
Safety signage ensures legal obligations are met.

Without it, your space feels confusing or unprofessional. With it, you create a space that feels polished, welcoming, and on-brand.

Before You Start

Before designing office signage, prepare:

A clear brand identity guide (logo, colours, fonts).
Office floor plan or layout.
Budget range for signage materials.
List of areas needing signage (exterior, reception, meeting rooms, restrooms).
Local council or building regulations for external signage.
Decision on style (modern, creative, minimalist).

This prep ensures your signage is functional, consistent, and legally compliant.

How to Design Office Signage:

Step by Step

Step 1: Audit Your Space

Walk through as if you’re a visitor.

Identify entry points and first impressions.
Spot areas that feel confusing or empty.
Note safety or compliance signage needs.

Result: You see the office through a customer’s eyes.

Step 2: Define the Purpose of Each Sign

Every sign should have a job.

Exterior: attract and identify.
Reception: welcome and reinforce brand.
Directional: guide people clearly.
Interior: inspire staff and strengthen culture.

Result: Each sign contributes to both function and branding.

Step 3: Align with Brand Identity

Keep signage consistent with your business identity.

Use brand colours as accent tones.
Apply fonts from your brand kit.
Incorporate logo variations approved in your guide.

Result: Your space feels like a physical extension of your brand.

Step 4: Choose Materials and Finishes

Match material to message and budget.

Vinyl wall decals for flexibility and affordability.
3D acrylic or metal letters for premium reception areas.
Lightbox signage for visibility in darker spaces.
Digital screens for dynamic content.

Result: Your signage looks polished and fits your budget.

Step 5: Focus on Readability and Accessibility

Design for clarity.

Use high-contrast colours.
Choose legible fonts, not decorative ones.
Follow accessibility guidelines for text size and placement.

Result: Your signage is easy for everyone to use and understand.

Step 6: Incorporate Wayfinding

Make navigation seamless.

Add arrows and directional markers.
Label meeting rooms consistently.
Use icons alongside text for clarity.

Result: Visitors feel guided, not lost.

Step 7: Add Cultural or Motivational Elements

Use signage to inspire your team.

Display values or mission statements.
Add motivational quotes in creative typography.
Include visuals that reflect your industry or culture.

Result: Staff feel connected to the brand daily.

Step 8: Check Compliance and Regulations

Ensure you meet local rules.

Fire exit signage.
Accessibility (wheelchair directions, Braille signs).
Building approval for exterior signs.

Result: You avoid legal issues and keep people safe.

Step 9: Install and Evaluate

Work with professionals for fitting.

Ensure signs are mounted securely.
Review placement from multiple angles.
Collect staff and visitor feedback.

Result: Your signage looks professional and works as intended.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cluttered designs.

Result: hard-to-read signs. Fix: keep it simple.

Ignoring brand consistency.

Result: mismatched look. Fix: use brand guide.

Cheap materials in premium spaces.

Result: underwhelming impression. Fix: invest in quality where it matters most.

Forgetting compliance signage.

Result: safety risks. Fix: review legal requirements.

Real-World Examples

A Brisbane startup installed vinyl decals of their brand values across meeting room walls. Staff said it made the space feel energised and cohesive.
A Melbourne consultancy skipped reception signage for years. Clients often asked if they were in the right place. Once they invested in a sleek acrylic logo wall, client confidence improved immediately.

The difference? Branded environments versus bare, confusing spaces.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

Direct Costs (as of 2025/2026):

Vinyl decals: $200–$800.
Reception logo signage: $1,000–$3,000.
Wayfinding signs: $50–$200 per sign.
Digital signage screens: $1,500–$5,000 each.

Timeline:

Design: 1–3 weeks depending on complexity.
Approvals (for external signs): 2–6 weeks.
Production & installation: 1–4 weeks.

Hidden Costs:

Reprints if branding changes soon.
Maintenance for lightboxes or digital screens.
Fines for non-compliance with council rules.

Money-Saving Tip: Start with cost-effective vinyl decals for interiors, then scale to premium reception or digital signage as you grow.

Bottom line: even modest signage has outsized impact on professionalism.

What to Do Next

By acting now, you’ll transform your office into a space that inspires trust and energy.

➡️ Download our free Visual Layout Guide for offices from ProDesk’s resource library—built for action-takers who want clarity and quick wins right now [ProDeck.com].

➡️ Partner with Noize—book a session. We specialise in helping founders secure the essentials so they can scale with confidence [Noize.com.au].

➡️ Are you a StartUp? Get The StartupDeck—a simple, powerful way to cut through the noise and focus on what really grows your business [theStartUpDeck.com].

The Bottom Line

Office signage is more than decoration—it’s the physical expression of your business identity.

Without it, your workspace feels unfinished and confusing. With it, you create a professional, branded environment that leaves a lasting impression on clients and energises your team.

Founders who invest in signage aren’t just dressing walls—they’re building credibility and culture into the fabric of their workplace.

FAQs

Do I really need office signage if I work from a small space?

Yes—even a small logo sign or wall decal adds professionalism.

What’s the most important sign to start with?

Reception signage—it’s your first impression.

How do I keep costs down?

Use vinyl decals and DIY installations for interiors, then upgrade as you grow.

Do I need council approval for signage?

Yes, for most exterior signs—always check local rules.

How often should signage be updated?

Every 3–5 years, or whenever your brand identity changes.