Workplace Rhetoric

This is an example of workplace rhetoric I encounter every day in the DACC technical building parking lot. The use of a sign is a very good way to get a point across to the stakeholders. Signs are generally used for rules or regulations to the public. In this case, the sign tells the stakeholders that it is staff parking only. The stakeholders (staff, students, the public) are made aware that only the staff can park in the spaces the arrows point by the use of this sign. The use of the arrows makes the sign even more specific too. By doing this the stakeholders are made even more aware of where the sign is intended for. The placement of the sign right in front of the parking spaces is also key. The sign is right where the driver of the car cannot miss it. Overall, the sign does a very good job at informing the stakeholders about what is expected of them.

I do not think the sign can be improved very much by participatory design. The stakeholders probably would not have very much input on how to improve it. They might suggest small things like being more specific by saying, "DACC Faculty Staff Parking Only," or making it a different color to be even more recognizable. The sign the authors created is already very informative and should be understandable to the users. I do not know how the users could do anything else to improve the effectiveness of the sign. The sign may not prevent people from following the directions, but for those who do not follow the directions, they probably know they are not following the directions of the sign. Users might also include small things like a larger sign or possibly a more eye catching font, but I do not think there is anything significant enough to improve the sign substantially.

David Sacre
(315 words)