How to Create Interesting Signage

You see them everywhere. Every business has them. You rely on them all of the time. Signs are an essential tool in communicating to clients and staff where to go and what to do. ‘Come on in, we’re open’, or ‘Office Hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm’. Whatever the sign reads, it has a purpose.

Instructions

How to Create Interesting Signage

1. Make your signage interesting. Take an afternoon and brainstorm. If you have employees, make it an office or store exercise and give a gift to the best idea. Have criteria. Is the sign meant to draw people in, keep people away, delineate office space, and/or convey your company philosophy? Do you want to use humor, keep it serious, make it fancy or make it plain? You should determine what you are looking for in a sign before beginning. If you are not artistic, don’t worry. Somebody you know or work with is. Give them your parameters and watch what they come up with. Always specify how many colors you want in your sign and what type of font.

2. Get your design professionally made into a sign or simply print it on a label and affix it to a store bought backing. If you want to change your sign often, you will want to make your own label, however, if you plan on keeping the sign up for a long duration, use a pro.

3. Consider having your design done in a rare media, such as glass etching or stained glass. Less rare but still interesting is a custom neon sign. Neon lights have limitations in fine detail writing, but can still be a unique illumination. You are better off using neon for large signs on retail businesses or restaurants. Reverse Halo lit aluminum channel letters is another option. They are not typical and will make your sign stand out.

4. To stay cost effective, use custom vinyl window graphics. This type of signage is getting increasingly popular. You can actually cover your window in signage with this application. Fleet graphics are unique and inexpensive. Cars can be the ultimate advertisement as a moving billboard.

5. Interior signage will have ADA requirements, so be sure you have taken that into consideration. Consider unique materials for your interior signs that will fit the décor of your office. If your office is southwestern for instance, use a copper backing etched with a unique design.

6. Make sure your monument sign reflects the character of your office. Newer techniques allow boulders to be etched with complicated logos and lights to filter strategically onto the signage. There are many different, interesting ways to convey your company culture through signage. Be sure you take advantage of all of them.