Metro :: Construction work and architecture :: Signs
 
From the beginning of the Metro project special attention has been paid to the design and architecture of the stations.

Not only aesthetic considerations but also aspects such as functionality and the convenience and well-being of passengers were taken into account.
 

The signs used in the Bilbao Metro were designed by Otl Aicher. They are based on:

 

Signs in words::
The font used is intended to make signs more readable and faster to read.

Pictograms and arrows:

Pictograms:Square pictograms indicate the presence of a service of interest for users. Round pictograms indicate prohibitions or rules that users must comply with.

Arrows: Arrows may point left, right, up and down or straight on. Diagonal arrows are not used.

The four colours :
Red is the basic colour.
Signs use corporate red as their background colour. This makes them stand out amidst the predominating grey tones of the stations.
Texts and arrows are White.
Black is reserved for secondary information such as pictograms or to differentiate some texts.
In exceptional cases, Grey may also be used as a background colour.

On the surface there are two elements that immediately identify Metro Bilbao:

Steel and glass canopies.
Masts with the logo.
 
The signs mean that regular users can distinguish quickly where they need to go, which line and what direction they need to take. Outsiders who visit the city can use the maps of the different lines and stations at their disposal. There is also a train timetable on display each station. This information may be located at street level or inside stations.

Almost all official signs are back-lit so that they can be easily identified by users.