Analysis of the Influence of Graphic Design on Urban Signage in Cúcuta.

Abstract

This study analyzes the influence of graphic design on the effectiveness, accessibility, and aesthetics of urban signage in San José de Cúcuta, a border city characterized by the diversity of its inhabitants and visitors. The research begins with the recognition that signage is a fundamental visual communication system for mobility, wayfinding, and the construction of urban identity; however, in Cúcuta, there is evidence of disorder, deterioration, a lack of standards, and poor accessibility, especially for older adults, users with disabilities, and foreigners. Through a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design, perceptions were collected using a digital form and a focus group, which allowed for the identification of citizens' experiences, difficulties, and assessments of the current signage system. The results reveal shortcomings in typographic legibility, color contrast, strategic placement, and visual coherence, as well as a marked mix of official signs and commercial advertisements that saturate the urban environment. Furthermore, a lack of maintenance, poor lighting, and absence of bilingual information are evident, factors that affect mobility, generate confusion, and project an outdated urban image. The conceptual frameworks and background information consulted demonstrate that graphic design, applied through principles of universal accessibility, visual hierarchy, coherent symbology, and informative clarity, can transform the urban experience and promote social inclusion. Consequently, this study highlights the need to implement a unified, modern, and accessible signage system to strengthen the city's visual identity, improve user orientation, and promote a more orderly, understandable, and safe public environment.