The Efficacy of Signage in City Branding: A Case Study of Port-Harcourt City

Abstract

Graphic design is by no means a new field. The terms used to describe the profession may have changed with time commercial art and visual communication being two previous titles, but the practice has remained centred on two main elements: images and words. Visual communication in its entire ramification has been of great benefit to humanity, in the area of education, awareness creation, enlightenment, entertainment and dissemination of information. On the other hand, sign or visual communication information system, communicate to the people quickly and at a relatively low cost. Sign package and design are determined not only by the graphic elements of types and styles but also by the graphic the environment in which the scheme has to appear and the function the signs are expected to serve. Consequently, the study is segmented in its methodology to put on the front burner the need for a well branded city, thus exploring the challenges of poorly branded cities and the benefits of a well branded cities, thereby revealing the need for a third-world cities like Port Harcourt to harness its enamors resources towards becoming a world class branded city.