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An Idea to Keep in Mind

The Power of a Totem.

Imagine walking through a new city. It’s different to others you’ve visited, no structures to guide your path, no landmarks to catch your eye and no signage marking important spaces.

Without them, the streets feel soulless and confusing. Spaces blend together, and you feel disconnected from your surroundings. There isn’t anything to remember the place by.

Totems, pylons, monoliths; whatever you call them they aren’t just pieces of signage. They are anchors that help shape your experience of a place. It’s not just about telling you where you are, or where to go. They create a sense of belonging.

Unlike so many other signs there isn’t a single formula for a totem. Some stand tall and bold, instantly demanding attention from nearby audiences. Others are more subtle, blending into the environment while quietly guiding you. Some take things further, and blur the lines between sculpture and signage, creating art that informs and inspires.

Totems work because they’re shaped by their surroundings. They aren’t designed to work alone, or forced into spaces where they don’t belong. The best examples are built in context with the environment around them, from architecture to culture. Each decision made from the materials, to the form and even the type of illumination is intentional.

Totems aren’t just functional, they’re transformational:

• They create memories that visitors didn’t expect.

• They connect people to places instantly.

• They shape experiences without words.

It doesn’t matter if they’re custom designed or system based, timeless or experimental, static or dynamic. The format of the sign isn’t important. The intention behind it is.

When crafted with intention a totem becomes more than a marker. 

It becomes something you will remember long after you’ve left.

Thanks for reading!

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