Yes / Purpose: Restaurants’ outdoor signage plays an irreplaceable role in attracting potential diners, as it conveys important functional and symbolic meanings of the businesses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of typographic design elements of outdoor signage on consumers’ perceptions of authenticity. This study also tests the linkage between authenticity and willingness to dine, as well as the moderating effect of frequency of dining in ethnic restaurants on the relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Using a 2 (simplified vs traditional Chinese characters) × 2 (calligraphy vs computer font) × 2 (vertical vs horizontal text flow) between-subject design, the authors did two experiments with 786 Chinese diners. Restaurant authenticity and willingness to dine are dependent variables, and openness to ethnic cuisine is the control variable. Findings: Display characters and text flow significantly affect restaurant authenticity. Furthermore, the results of this study demonstrate that display characters interact with typeface to influence restaurant authenticity. Consumers’ perceived authenticity significantly increases their willingness to dine. The frequency of dining in ethnic restaurants moderates the relationship between restaurant authenticity and willingness to dine. Practical implications: Ethnic restaurateurs should pay attention to the outdoor signage design, as it affects potential consumers’ authenticity perceptions. Specifically, in Mainland China, traditional Chinese characters and vertical text direction increase potential consumers’ authenticity perceptions. Originality/value: This study extends the semiotic theory and applies the cue–judgment–behavior model in the hospitality literature. This study also provides new understanding of authenticity by identifying the influence of typographic design on authenticity, which confirms the semiotic theory that certain semiotic cues affect consumers’ judgments.

El propósito de este estudio fue elaborar una propuesta didáctica para promover el aprendizaje de tipografía-lettering en estudiantes de una escuela de nivel superior, mediante el uso del software adobe illustrator. La metodología utilizada es de enfoque cuantitativo, se aplicó un cuestionario como instrumento de recojo de datos, para identificar el estado actual y niveles de aprendizaje de los estudiantes en tipografía-lettering. Se trabajó con toda la población conformada por 104 estudiantes. Los resultados indicaron que éstos, reconocen la importancia del uso del software para la construcción gráfica y la eficiencia del proceso de arquitectura tipográfica. La propuesta didáctica se compone de cuatro etapas: Evolución, composición-connotación, caligrafía-lettering y refuerzos tipográficos y se fundamenta en la teoría andragógica, el enfoque comunicativo de Munari y el de Martina y Monzó. Se sugirió la integración de la metodología práctica propuesta en el plan de estudios, el desarrollo de talleres o cursos que incorporen el uso de adobe illustrator y la formación docente en el manejo de esta herramienta para el diseño tipográfico. Además, se recomienda la práctica de diferentes estilos y fuentes de tipografía, así como la integración del diseño tipográfico en la estrategia de marketing. En conclusión, la propuesta didáctica de adobe illustrator para promover el aprendizaje de tipografía-lettering en estudiantes de una escuela de nivel superior es una herramienta útil y eficiente para el diseño gráfico y la comunicación visual. / The purpose of this study was to develop a didactic proposal to promote the learning of typography-lettering in students of a higher level school, through the use of adobe illustrator software. The methodology used is a quantitative approach, a questionnaire was applied as a data collection instrument to identify the current state and learning levels of students in typography-lettering. We worked with the entire population made up of 104 students. The results indicated that they recognize the importance of using software for graphic construction and the efficiency of the typographic architecture process. The didactic proposal is made up of four stages: Evolution, composition-connotation, calligraphy-lettering and typographic reinforcements and is based on andragogical theory, the communicative approach of Munari and that of Martina and Monzó. The integration of the proposed practical methodology into the curriculum, the development of workshops or courses that incorporate the use of adobe Illustrator and teacher training in the use of this tool for typographic design were suggested. In addition, the practice of different typography styles and fonts is recommended, as well as the integration of typographic design into the marketing strategy. In conclusion, the teaching proposal of adobe Illustrator to promote the learning of typography-lettering in students of a higher-level school is a useful and efficient tool for graphic design and visual communication.