ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Signage Tips

Hidden Messages In Signage

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

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

In a typical building, the glass entry doors and any adjacent windows create more opportunity for unwanted energy loss (in winter) and gain (in summer) than any other structural element. During the summer, for example, a single square foot of unshaded glass can allow more energy into a building than an 8′ x 10′ insulated wall. That’s a big reason why, as we’ve noted here, designers and business- or building-owners are looking more frequently toward adding new entry awnings at key traffic and visibility locations. Once installed, high-quality awnings help limit the location’s energy gain and loss every day and night, and do this during their considerable service lifetime. As a result, their benefits work out to be extremely cost-effective.

Much of what we do, of course, is all about sign fabrication, installation, and maintenance. But none if it would ever happen if it weren’t for our outstanding sign design department. Design is the crucial step in signage development that determines not only how much a sign costs, but how well it works. That’s why we give it as much time, attention, and expertise as we do. And that’s why we’ve put together an ebook to help you understand the key elements in sign design and – hopefully – to better appreciate the expert design skills and experience we bring to every project. It covers such important topics as: How to Design a Sign for Your Business Design a Sign

Plainridge Casino Opens With Metro Signage Plainville, MA, will never be the same. Not since Plainridge Park Casino formally opened its doors on a pleasant June morning in 2015, with a mission to provide entertainment and enjoyment for the hundreds of folks who were lined up at the door, and ultimately for tens of thousands more in and around Massachusetts. It’s the first casino to open for business since Massachusetts passed its expanded gaming law about four years ago. We can’t take all the credit, of course, but we did perform extensive work on the $250 million, 106,000-square-foot facility’s signage, owned and operated by Penn National Gaming. Plainridge Casino boasts 1,250 slot machines and electronic table games like blackjack, roulette,

9 Green Signage Tips You Can Use to Wow your Clients

When it comes to maintaining or upgrading business signage, one thing many business owners often fail to realize is that “going green” can be a great way to get better signage for less money. Retrofitting your existing signage to accept new, cooler-burning LEDs is just one example of how reworking an old sign can improve a sign’s appearance, effectiveness, and cost. Download the white paper to learn more about how you can upgrade your business sign for cost savings and environmental benefits.