The importance of Environmental Graphic Design in urban spaces

¹ School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece
² School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece

^* Corresponding author: laskari@eap.gr

Abstract

Environmental graphic design (EGD) from its creation has proven that its development has emerged to serve the needs of modern society and in particular of the part of the population living in urban centers. EGD is being recognized for its role in humanizing and simplifying the complexities of the built environment. Well-designed signage and environmental graphic programs help improve the aesthetic and psychological aspects of an environment, in addition to fulfilling their communication role of informing, directing and identifying. At the core of the growing demand for Environmental Graphic Design are the demands of the modern world. Cities face a variety of challenges as a result of the negative effects of globalization. EGD can be used to «humanize» a city, create connections between citizens and with the city and to make a city or a neighborhood more pleasant and functional for them. Visual pollution, prevented by the uncontrolled display of signs, is another problem that cities face. Implementing guidelines for sign control is essential to maintaining and improving the visual quality of historic places. EGD is used to create a legible city. The goal is to provide easily understandable information at every single step and to improve the overall city experience for both visitors and citizens.