Marcal is an architectural sign system manufacturer based in France, since 1987.
Marcal sign system works closely with the most rigorous architects, graphic designers and users, both on content, and on shape, texture and color, to ensure that these sign system convey every aspect of the meaning and concepts involved.
Signage is a unique medium, since it addresses only one of our five senses: the sense of sight. This is the sense most used by people on the move, which is why it is so difficult to address. If the sign is too discreet, it will pass unnoticed; if it is too imposing, it will interfere with the viewer’s overall interpretation of his or her environment.
Successful signage must identify the receiver and sender of the messages it wishes to convey: Who is the speaker and to whom is the message addressed? It must adapt to the existing “built-up environment” while delivering messages of welcome, guidance, information and identification to the “receiver”. As an integral part of the building, signage must discreetly highlight its organization and function while taking into account the needs of permanent occupants and occasional visitors. If it is too insistent, it overwhelms the occupant; if it is too subtle, it irritates the visitor.
Sign systems are structurally attached to a building but functionally dependent on the “sender” of the message.
Thus, they must combine the permanence of the man-made object with the open-ended potential of their “living” content.
Marcal has been exploring this medium since 1987, offering solutions, in terms both of finished products and consulting. It works with the most talented architects, designers and graphic artists to develop products of very high quality, by choosing the most durable materials and applying a rigorous approach to industrial design that gives equal weight to function and aesthetic aspect.
Since 2005, year when the french law for disabled persons has been enacted, marcal has paid attention to the visual deficiency, creating the “full access” concept. “Full access” means to care about visual and cognitive deficits within the briefing of signage and wayfinding programs. The objective would not be to create an extra system, parallel to existing ones, but to find joint solutions, by seeking how getting adapted to visual disability improves the quality of the whole system for everybody.
On the other hand, marcal has chosen to adhere to the concept of circular economy by adopting a global approach to reduce its ecological footprint called "One Circle". The "One Circle" approach is an integrated management framework developed exclusively by marcal to encourage the consideration of environmental concerns in all phases and segments of its business.
