The Restroom Signage Database is a research-based collection of toilet signage observed in public spaces worldwide. The dataset focuses on how human assumptions, cultural norms, and implicit design decisions are embedded in everyday pictograms and wayfinding systems.
Developed initially as empirical material for human-centered design and comparative cultural studies, this database documents real-world signage “in the wild,” including non-standard, improvised, and culturally specific cases.
The database is intended for use in:
- Human-Centered Design and UX education
- Design research and case-based analysis
- Cross-cultural communication and visual literacy studies
Data contents
Each entry typically includes:
- Photographic record of restroom signage
- Addresses where the signs exist
- Type of facility (e.g., airport, school, public building)
- Gender representation and categorization strategy
- Notable design assumptions or potential user ambiguities
Access to the dataset
The dataset is publicly available at:
https://toiletsign.blogspot.com
Currently, the database is provided in Japanese. If you cannot read Japanese, please use a machine translation service, such as Google Translate.
How to cite
Please cite the database as:
Iio, J. (2016–). Ladies and Gentlemen: The Restroom Sign Database.
Retrieved from https://toiletsign.blogspot.com
Or, cite the published paper:
Iio, J. (2023) The Restroom Sign Database, Bulletin of Human Centered Design Organization, 19(1), 57-62.
License
Unless otherwise noted, images and data are shared under
Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).
