25 Industry Terms You’ll Hear (and Use)
If you are searching for wall murals, wall decals, experiential environments, or workplace graphics, you will quickly notice that the industry uses a wide range of overlapping terms. Some come from print, some from architecture, some from experiential design.
This glossary focuses on the terms professionals actually use when planning, designing, and executing graphic environments.
1. Environmental Graphics
An umbrella term covering wall graphics, wayfinding, window graphics, and architectural elements used to communicate within a physical space.
2. Architectural Graphics
Graphics designed to integrate with the architecture itself rather than sit on top of it. Often spans walls, corridors, and transitions.
3. Wall Murals
Large-scale, custom wall graphics that typically cover an entire wall or major section. Often used for storytelling, culture, or visual impact.
4. Wall Graphics
A broad term for any graphic applied directly to a wall, including murals, typography, patterns, or imagery.
5. Wall Decals
Vinyl-applied wall graphics, commonly used for text, logos, or graphic elements applied directly to painted surfaces.
6. Wall Tattoos
A commonly used alternative term for wall decals, especially in corporate and workplace settings.
7. Feature Wall
A primary visual wall designed to anchor a space such as a reception area, lobby, or key gathering zone.
8. Culture Wall
A wall dedicated to expressing values, mission, people, or organizational story, typically within offices or headquarters.
9. Branded Interiors
A term often used by designers and agencies to describe spaces where branding is integrated into interior architecture and finishes.
10. Workplace Graphics
Graphics specifically designed for office and workplace environments, supporting culture, orientation, and internal communication.
11. Wayfinding Graphics
Graphic systems that guide movement and orientation through a space, often integrated into walls, floors, and architectural elements.
12. Window Graphics
Graphics applied to glass surfaces for branding, messaging, or visual interest, often combined with privacy considerations.
13. Frosted Film
Decorative or functional window film used to provide privacy while maintaining light transmission.
14. Perforated Film
Window film with micro-perforations that allow visibility from one side while displaying graphics on the other.
15. Dimensional Graphics
Graphics that include depth, layering, or raised elements rather than remaining flat to the surface.
16. Dimensional Lettering
Raised letters or logos fabricated from materials such as acrylic, metal, or wood and mounted to walls or substrates.
17. Experiential Graphics
Graphics created to support experiences such as product launches, events, pop-ups, or immersive brand moments.
18. Experiential Environments
Spaces intentionally designed to guide emotion, movement, and interaction through graphics, materials, and layout.
19. Brand Installations
Temporary or semi-permanent graphic and fabricated elements designed to create a strong branded presence within a space.
20. Elevator Wraps
Graphics applied to elevator doors or interiors to extend branding vertically and capture repeated exposure.
21. Escalator Wraps
Graphics applied to escalator side panels or structures to create motion-based storytelling and repetition.
22. Column Wraps
Graphics applied to structural columns to activate vertical surfaces in large or open environments.
23. Fabric Graphics
Textile-based graphic systems often used for large surfaces, temporary environments, or acoustical applications.
24. Custom Fabrication
The creation of non-standard, made-to-order graphic or architectural elements that go beyond flat print.
25. Experiential Rollouts
A coordinated approach to deploying experiential or graphic environments across multiple spaces or locations.
Why this language matters
Using the right terminology:
- Speeds up conversations with agencies and designers
- Reduces misunderstandings during planning
- Helps scope projects more accurately
- Signals experience and credibility
It also helps teams move past vague requests and toward clear, executable solutions.
Need help navigating these options?
If you are planning wall murals, workplace graphics, experiential environments, or custom fabricated elements, WallScapesCo works with agencies and clients to turn industry language into real-world execution across Canada and the US.
Contact us to talk through your project and align on the right approach for your space.