Explore Metro Sign & Awning’s latest blog posts, expert advice, news, and commentary. Learn more about the features of our innovative blog here.

Sign of the Times: Communities Where We Work, Live, and Play

Since the beginning of hunting and gathering, people have relied on signs for information. Very early sign markers, often just a pile of stones, helped guide people traveling through the wilderness to find game or communities.

The Scots used rock cairns—Gaelic for “heap of stones”—as signposts to mark trails across the grassy moors. People living in Mongolia and the Andes Mountains used similar rock cairns to mark routes between villages and food supplies. 

Gradually, signs expanded to include marks left by hunters and wayfarers on rocks and trees. It’s why hikers today still rely on blazes along the Appalachian and other trails. As populations have increased, communities have grown, and technology has evolved, signage has similarly transformed. 

Signs have evolved over the centuries...

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Live/work/play: the new town center experience

Newer mixed-use developments have embraced “Live, Work, Play” as their motto. These town centers, designed for inclusivity, require an incredible amount of thoughtful planning to support environmentally and economically sustainable development. Their infrastructure must include financially feasible systems and services scalable to meet increased demand but not so onerous that residents and businesses feel overburdened. 

 

A town center’s success lies in the partnership between its design and marketing teams. Collaboratively, they work to create its overall tone and character so it becomes a place where people gravitate to live, work, and play. Learn more about other important elements—from design and planning to safety and usability—needed to create a successful town center.

Read the full article at: www.legat.com

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Curating a ‘Live-Work-Play’ Experience Through Flexible Design

Developers are facing a growing demand for one-bedroom and studio apartments. Average apartment square footage has shrunk 10%, and in larger cities like New York and San Francisco, the smallest units are only 220-square-feet. (Boston’s Back Bay area has a 216-square-foot condo that hit the market this summer!) Eighty-three percent of consumers will happily trade in square footage for communal spaces and custom amenities. 

 

There are many trends driving this multifunctional design, including shifting demands and a desire for affordable luxury living. Multipurpose spaces in high demand include rooftop decks and green space, lobby spaces and clubrooms, and pool decks and lounges. This article discusses the design strategies and best practices for creating successful multipurpose spaces.

Read the full article at: hhendy.com

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Protect Diners, Grow Profits with Enclosures

The restaurant industry has always operated on a shoestring budget. When COVID-19 arrived in early 2020, restaurant owners and operators had to stretch budgets even further. The pandemic—and its necessary social distancing—required owners to rethink how to serve their customers,  keep staff and patrons safe, and

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Consumers Want Curbside, Outdoor Dining to Stay in 2021

A recent National Restaurant Association survey found 83% of diners aren’t eating in person at restaurants as often as they’d like, up from 45% pre-pandemic. Many restaurants, including chains like Denny’s, Red Robin, and Texas Roadhouse, added — and plan to keep — outdoor dining. Other restaurants have developed and promoted more creative experiences for their customers including wine tastings and cooking lessons. Learn more!

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Let Me Entertain You: Signage for Event and Entertainment Spaces

Imagine this scene: A giant arena filled with tens of thousands of screaming fans.  Bright lights flood the stage. The bass thrums from giant speakers. The colorful crowd bobs and weaves in time to the music.

Or imagine a convention center. Row upon row of booths and tables create a labyrinth of paths weaving through the cavernous space. Giant industry signs hang from the ceiling, on the walls, and suspended from...

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Restaurant Signage Enhances Dining and Profits

With warmer weather upon us, vaccination rates increasing, and restrictions lifting, people have been venturing out to visit their favorite restaurants in person. The pandemic hit the restaurant industry very hard — and while it’ll take time for the industry to recover from its 2020 losses, owners can take heart based on the results of a recent June survey...

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Restaurant Sign Ideas: 4 Ways to Create Memorable Signage

Looking for an effective, cost-effective way to advertise your restaurant? Maybe it’s time to update your signage, especially if your brand sits in a high traffic area. Restaurants can use outdoor signage to create a strong impact, and this article offers tips on how to stay visible, best practices for displaying text, savvy solutions to promote your brand, and even justification for posting an (updated) outdoor menu.

Read the full article at: www.webstaurantstore.com

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20 Event Signage Ideas to Improve the Attendee Experience

Attendees might not even notice effective signage at a conference. But you can bet that a lack of clear, concise signage will generate complaints and grumpy people unable to navigate the event.There are a few essential signs important for every event to include—wayfinding to restrooms and conference rooms, charging stations, will call/ ticket pickup and registration, entrance/exit and welcome signs, for example. But you don’t have to stop there. This article offers 20 clever, creative signage ideas designed to improve and enhance visitors’ experiences.

Read the full article at: www.eventbrite.com

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Who Doesn’t Love a Good Challenge?

Here at Metro, we’ve developed a reputation for overcoming challenges. In 2020, the pandemic required us to rethink our approach to projects and conduct much of our collaboration in a remote environment. Government buildings closed for weeks, which presented another challenge for obtaining signage permits and staying on deadline with project installations. Clients saw initial project budgets shrink, so our team worked with them to devise alternative signage...

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