Signs should be creative and fun!

As I look at the signs for developments it makes me wonder why there aren't more creative and fun ideas used. The sign industry is chock full of people who insist they are creative and yet most of the signs are far from it.

We take a far different tack as we design developments. Imagine of we could use creativity at every turn - literally. Why do trees signs have to be a boring rectangular flat piece of metal with some boring type stuck on them?

With the advent of modern software, high tech materials and CNC plasma cutters, lasers and routers this kind of sign is easier than ever to design and create.

We are currently working on a number of projects where we will be proposing some very different ideas. The first one, below, is from a project I designed about seven years ago. Sadly the project never went ahead for it would have been ground breaking. It was for a tourist development by the seaside. The street signs and direction signs were to have been very different.

A current project is smaller in scale but even more creative. Many details are still under wraps but I can share two signs which will be part of many in the series. The brackets and lettering on the signs would be made of plasma cut steel, welded together and then powder coated for longevity. The cute vehicles on the top will be routed from 30 lb Precision Board. We'll do them in halves and then glue them together. Smaller details will be added before the final paint.

With this approach even the smaller signs will be focal points. This project will gather a lot of attention and be truly memorable by all who visit. It will all be designed in from the start.

Drawing by hand

These days I know many designers go right to their computer to work on a design. I like to start in my sketchbook with a good old fashioned pen. Even simple signs are designed this way.

Often the design is little more than a scribble... just enough to work out the specific ideas, fonts and textures I might use. Customers never see these roughs for they only serve to gather my thoughts - before I sit down in front of my computer.

Sometimes I do a little more work on these sketches. The font is nailed down, as is the background texture. Bevels and such are part of this rough plan as well. The idea is pretty much nailed in these more complex sketches.

And then there is the full blown concept drawings. I spend more time working out the ideas in my sketchbook, often as multiple drawings of various parts. Then I scan the sketches into my computer and using my drawing pad, rearrange and resize the components and then on a new layer redraw a final rendering. These drawings are for presentation to the customer. When it comes time for production I trace them again with vectors to start my routing files.

More drawing the old fashioned way

I thought I might show another project's development in sketches. These were done in my sketchbook on a plane ride as I traveled home on a business trip. The drawings were quick and I filled there pages of my sketchbook in about half an hour or less. You can see the drawings were far from perfect. The client would never see them as they were just to guide our building of the feature. The first drawing was a quick sketch of the robot router. The ideas were pretty well formed at this point.

The next sketch was the top and side views. At this point I wanted to work out the scale of the piece and positioning of the gantry.  We ended up going a little wider as we built it but the bulk of the measurements went ahead as planned.

The last sketch in this series was for the metal framework. From this quick drawing I was able to work out a material list. Take note of the simplicity of the sketch and lack of angles or exact measurements. We build by eye for the most part and the drawings I do are simply a guide. Just the same they are a valuable tool to work things out, thereby enabling a quicker build of the finished feature.

Exploring ideas with pen and paper

One of the keys to coming up with a great and original designs is to learn to draw. While many may say they simply can't draw I believe it is a skill we can develop to a great degree. The key is to practice, practice practice. I buy inexpensive blank hard bound books (Staples) and fill them with ideas. I keep them handy and stashed wherever I might need one. Rather than work on loose paper I prefer to keep a record of my drawings for later reference. There's one by my bedside, one in the truck, in my briefcase and another by my recliner. More reside on my desk and all handy for when inspiration strikes or when I need to work out an idea.  I've filled more than fifty with another ten on the way to being filled.

So many designers go straight to the computer when they design. Rather than work out the rough or basic ideas they go straight to the details and in the process are limited. Let's look at a project I designed a while back to show my process of design. 

My client wanted a sign/entrance to a large development that was by the ocean. The proposed name was 'Lighthouse Village'. I opened one of my sketchbooks and began work. I wasn't concerned about fonts, nor colors. We were only exploring ideas in the broadest sense. I started with some sign ideas.

By the second page I was refining things a little 

Then I used that same idea in a different shape

Once I was a little satisfied it was time to veer off to explore some new ideas. This was a little simpler, perhaps a little more modern. 

This idea morphed into the beginnings of a monument sign. It had some potential.

Before I went further I decided to explore what the welcome/information center might look like. I explored these ideas for some time before deciding they were far too predictable and common. In my next meeting with the client I showed them these sketches but also some new ideas which were much more fun and interesting.

 So where did we end up when the drawing was done?
  

Long shot, medium view and closeup

As we put together each of our projects I design for three views. Long shots, medium views and closeups. In our large current project we were able to do it for every element (and there are many) of the park.

The long shot of the setting needs to grab people's attention and hold their interest. The entire scene is carefully composed to draw visitors in. Background clutter is minimized as much as possible. I try to limit the angles of viewing to the best attainable. This is done by positioning the pathways. As we enter the park this view of the project is evident. The giant steel ride (yet to be installed) is framed by the background trees of the park. In the foreground is the operator's booth and the horse and wagon which is to be used as a photo opportunity.

As guests approach they see the middle view. The sign is now readable but not the primary point of interest. The operator's booth perched high on the rock with the stairways is now the focus. In the foreground a stream will tumble between the rocks. The barrel and cactus on each side work like parenthesis to frame the picture. Landscaping will complete the story.

As guests come a little closer they now can easily read the sign. The exquisite detail and character of the dimensional sculpture is now the focus.

Because we designed each element of the project, shaped the land and then positioned each piece we left nothing to chance. The result is everything works together to carefully and purposefully guide our visitors through the project.

-dan