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Good Sign Design & Approval Process a Win for All

A story about a business owner from Atascadero, CA who was willing to go to court over a sign caught our eye earlier this year. Temporary and unconventional signage can be a sticky area for businesses and government, one that’s costly for both. Whether it’s retail or wayfinding signage, the ultimate test for any sign from a user standpoint is, “is it helpful?” Municipal authorities try to strike a balance between the needs of business owners, area residents or visitors, and the general public safety. It’s not an easy thing to do. Sign Design, Permitting and Approval Process Whether designing a new sign or updating an existing sign, reviews and approvals are almost always necessary. And who enjoys being told

Time marches on, and with it, technology. There was a time when neon and fluorescent lighting for signage was “high tech” and just about the best we could do. But those times are now gone. Today, we’ve discovered LED illumination, and it’s advantages are literally stupendous. They include: Major savings on operating costs and maintenance. Less pollution, land-fill, and greenhouse gas emissions – so they’re better for the environment. A more modern appearance for any signage – even outdated ones. Better visibility at night, in fog or rain – just about any weather conditions. Far less prone to breakdowns, damage, wear and tear, or unforeseen failures, so they’re more reliable. Last far longer, so your signage investment stretches over many

When we’re talking about awnings and canopies, size, shape, design, and materials matter. Although they are designed for practical purposes, awning and canopies also add interest and eye-catching appeal to buildings and entrances. Awning Shapes, Canopy Designs Shed and waterfall awnings are what most people think of when they think of as traditional awning shapes. Alternatives to the most traditional awning shapes include concave, elongated dome, gable designs, and other “artistic” awnings that function as design features, especially on otherwise unremarkable building architecture. Designed to Demand Attention, Built to Last Likewise, while common canopy styles are functional and offer a clean visual element, more elaborate styles can serve special purposes. For example, cantilevers, multigon, and sail shapes lend themselves to

Most communication is simple, with a single layer of meaning. But once you get into the world of graphics – where the best signage lives and thrives – you begin to find opportunities to communicate more than one message at a time. Here are a few examples of public, possibly familiar graphics that exemplify the potential for signage to be a powerful tool of communication. Wendy’s has a new logo, but it contains a hidden message that’s very old. Can you spot it? … It’s the word “mom” woven into the red-headed girl’s collar. I guess the idea is to evoke home-cooked foods, family dinners, and perhaps even a dose of unconditional love. None of that is guaranteed when you’re

“Regardless of how and why new signage regulations are implemented, change is hard,” said Metro Sign & Awning Owner Tom Dunn. Businesses in Redmond, OR have voiced their frustration at being required to remove signs that were ruled non-compliant in 2008 when their Downtown Overlay District was created. In many ways, it’s similar to the Downtown Waltham Partnership, although the Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) here in MA was pretty business-friendly. Change: Some Pain, Lots of Gain When a major shopping district overhaul is underway, everyone focuses on the new look. Quickly, the focus turns to required changes in behavior – thanks to altered traffic patterns, new businesses, hours, and rules. In the case of the Downtown Waltham Partnership, businesses got significant help

Signs are a fundamental mechanism for announcing your business to the world, attracting new customers, and setting expectations about your brand, your products, and your service. Over the years, businesses just like yours have tried and tested a variety of signage strategies and tactics, and have generally settled on those that work best. This Infographic details some of the most effective ways that business owners use and improve their signage to help their businesses grow. (Click Infographic to see full image) Although signs are shown to be effective at generating new business, the majority of companies have only one or two signs. Larger companies, however, are likely to have three or more signs. Perhaps this is one of they

This time of year can be rough on exterior signage. If you’re concerned about a loose panel, electrical connections, or suspect that any component of your exterior signage has been damaged by ice, snow, wind, or other things that happen in January and February, get in touch with us here or call us at 978.319.6561. We’ll inspect your sign and and estimate repair costs for you, and do our best to recommend replacements and materials that may weather future storms a little bit better. Insurance, Estimates, and Repairs We often work with surveying companies, property owners and managers, and insurance companies to help our customers replace damaged signs. While it’s not always possible to speed up the process, we understand how important your signs are

Business signage plays an important role in the life of any city, not only because it supports commerce and the livelihood of individual businesses, but also because the overall appearance of a city’s signage helps communicate and even define its character. Think about the differences in signage between Boston and Las Vegas, for example, and what that signage says about each of those cities. Generally, governments do not heavily regulate the content of any signs (although the Americans with Disabilities Act does set forth some standards for signage content). Rather, each city government tends to develop its own set of signage regulations, in an effort to control the appearance of the city’s built infrastructure and also to tame the impulses

The United States Sign Council Foundation, as a part of its on-going effort to provide verifiable information about the optimal usage of signage, has issued a new report titled: “The Economics of On-Premise Signs.” The report makes fascinating reading. It covers everything from the various rationales for local signage regulation to the impact of signage on communities, customers, and businesses. But even more interesting are the discussions of potential signage benefits (which we’ve previously touched on, here). Understandability For example, the report details how a sign that is easier to understand “imposes fewer cognitive demands on the viewer.” Ultimately, more understandable signs allow customers and prospects to learn more about what a business offers. What enhances this kind of signage

When the Boston Public Library wanted dramatic new exterior environmental graphics – including interpretive panels and engraved pavers – at its newest branch, in East Boston, they turned to the noted architectural firm, William Rawn Associates. Rawn, in turn, asked for consultative help from Arrowstreet. And when the time came to fabricate the designs, Rawn and Arrowstreet came to us. The East Boston Library is the newest branch library in the Boston Public Library system. Located in the middle of Bremen Street Park, the building features three entirely glass walls and soaring roof that allows in filtered light, helping to connect the new Library’s indoor resources with the Park’s natural outdoor elements. A new series of interpretive panels are located