Abstract: A directional way finding system is described which comprises a light emitting device having a plurality of side emitting light conduits arranged side by side with parts of the conduits covered at repeated intervals along the length of the conduits to leave an exposed sequence of light emitting sections in each conduit. These sections are longitudinally offset in adjacent conduits to provide diagonal light emitting regions, so that when the conduits are sequentially energised light is emitted from the light emitting sections to give to an observer the perception of light travelling in a forward or reverse direction, depending on the order in which the conduits are scanned. Embodiments are described for a system in which the light conduits are optical fibres energised from a laser and in which the light conduits are electroluminescent wires energised from a switched power supply.