"design matters"
As initial conversation starters here on the Sign Blog, I’m focusing on 5 important considerations when choosing a sign supplier: Reputation, Design, Capability, Price and Service. This is the second part of the conversation:
Let’s talk about DESIGN...
Let’s talk about DESIGN...
Yes, I agree (to a point): Great design, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Apparently researchers have discovered that those of us who have partners view them extremely favourably in the ‘looks’ department, overlooking beer bellies, wonky noses and third eyes (OK, I admit it, I made that last one up). Consequently, we believe our other halves are better looking than they actually appear to everyone else. If this research is true, I for one am extremely grateful that my wife is under its influence!
When it comes to great sign design, however, we at the Sign Blog think there are other aspects to consider; cosmetic and otherwise:
Cosmetically, there’s colour. Red, for example, represents strength, power and determination. Yellow: wisdom, warmth and energy. Blue: trustworthiness, reliability and integrity. Black: authority, formality… and death (fine if you’re a funeral director, but a no-no for a medical centre, don’t you think!). What values are your signs communicating to your clients through your brand’s colours?
In terms of layout, there’s the sign’s function to consider. For example, if you want to communicate a message from a sign that’s going to be positioned 50 metres from the freeway, there’s absolutely no point including 50mm high text (unless you’re handing out free binoculars as part of a promotion!). Note: I hope to share more about the distance viewing of signs in a later article.
Finally (for now), in terms of the sign’s structure there’s the material question (a subject I will definitely return to!). Perth gets hot. And yet I’m staggered how regularly I see signs made from materials that clearly aren't fit for purpose and – surprise, surprise – warp in the heat. In my opinion there should be a law against such miss-selling of product – but perhaps I’m biased!
So, how important is a sign supplier’s ability to understand all of these design-related matters on your behalf? Does it matter, or is a sign ‘just’ a sign at the end of the day?
I look forward to discussing this with you here on the Sign Blog.
Darrel
Apparently researchers have discovered that those of us who have partners view them extremely favourably in the ‘looks’ department, overlooking beer bellies, wonky noses and third eyes (OK, I admit it, I made that last one up). Consequently, we believe our other halves are better looking than they actually appear to everyone else. If this research is true, I for one am extremely grateful that my wife is under its influence!
When it comes to great sign design, however, we at the Sign Blog think there are other aspects to consider; cosmetic and otherwise:
Cosmetically, there’s colour. Red, for example, represents strength, power and determination. Yellow: wisdom, warmth and energy. Blue: trustworthiness, reliability and integrity. Black: authority, formality… and death (fine if you’re a funeral director, but a no-no for a medical centre, don’t you think!). What values are your signs communicating to your clients through your brand’s colours?
In terms of layout, there’s the sign’s function to consider. For example, if you want to communicate a message from a sign that’s going to be positioned 50 metres from the freeway, there’s absolutely no point including 50mm high text (unless you’re handing out free binoculars as part of a promotion!). Note: I hope to share more about the distance viewing of signs in a later article.
Finally (for now), in terms of the sign’s structure there’s the material question (a subject I will definitely return to!). Perth gets hot. And yet I’m staggered how regularly I see signs made from materials that clearly aren't fit for purpose and – surprise, surprise – warp in the heat. In my opinion there should be a law against such miss-selling of product – but perhaps I’m biased!
So, how important is a sign supplier’s ability to understand all of these design-related matters on your behalf? Does it matter, or is a sign ‘just’ a sign at the end of the day?
I look forward to discussing this with you here on the Sign Blog.
Darrel
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