Artistic Signs Of Intelligent Life

Maryse Maynard Exhibit – Signs Of Intelligent Life

The City Of Kitchener Rotunda Gallery is featuring an exhibit called Signs Of Intelligent Life.  Of course with the words signs in the name it peaked some interest.  The exhibit was artistic mix medium show.  It displayed printing press racks as shadow boxes influenced by famous sayings and quotes.  It was an artistic sign showing a visual of the how the words influenced artist Maryse Maynard.  You can read more about the artist and the ideas behind Signs Of Intelligent Life on her artist statement post.

 

 

Artistic Ideas

The words in these art pieces were displayed using scrabble pieces, clay tiles and what looked like routered wood letters.  Below are two pieces that show how the phrases were created with Scrabble letter tiles.

 

 

Out Of The Box Thinking

The use of printing press tile boxes reminded me of the TYPEFACE film we presented last year at the Princess Cinema and how the skill of Wood Type printing could have been lost if it had not been for a Museum trying to keep it alive.  Through the movie you learned how new artists are choosing to use wood type printing in new pieces, and in the case of this exhibit the item that holds the wood type letters was re-purposed into an artistic piece.

This brought me back to The Sign Depot workspace where Peter has an antique typeface holder displayed in his office.  Every time I look there is an addition of items no longer available nowadays.  Separately they look like items from days gone by, but together they look like a collection. It is almost as if these items are being re-purposed to make a brand new art piece right here in our workspace. 

 

Looking at it now I wonder what phrase Maryse Maynard would choose for this display?  Many come to mind for me, but I think the one that stands out is

Everything Old Is New Again 

 

Signs That The New Year Is Near – Emerald Green Pantone Colour Of The Year 2013

Looks Like A Green Christmas

When Pantone announced the 2013 Colour Of The Year would be Emerald it was well received.  On their website, Pantone describes Emerald as a lively, radiant, lush green. It congers up visions of Emerald City from The Wizard Of Oz because of its jewel tone properties.  This vivid colour will making its way on to store shelves, product lines and clothing pieces very quickly as most will want a jump on the trend while it is still fresh.  Being that Red and Green are the main colours of Christmas, a green jewel tone will catch on very quickly this month.

 

 

What’s Is So Great About Green?

The great thing about green is that many shades of green compliment each other.  You often see designs with multiple shades of green.   Some are closer to blue while others are closer to yellow but even a seafoam green (closer to the blue end of the green spectrum) looks fine with a chartreuse (a yellow-green colour).

Green is a colour that means many things to many people.  For some it reminds them about eating their veggies, for others it is an environmental movement.  You have so much choice when it comes to shades of green.

Sign Colour Choices

Finding the green that would work best with your custom sign can be left up to personal choice, but we here at The Sign Depot highly recommend you consult a professional when it comes to the colours used in the sign design.  As explained in our earlier post all about artistic colour choices we know how  pantones are used and how to find complimentary pantone colours.

 This knowledge is key when it comes to creating a great look on your custom sign.  If you see the need for sign refresh, talk to us and see how your signs could make your competition green with envy.

 

Artistic Signs, Sign Supplies, Street Art and Sign Depot at SGIA

Let the Networking Begin – SGIA Expo 2012

Las Vegas was a whirlwind of excitement and the SGIA Expo had a lot to do with it.  Sign Depot was invited to attend the SGIA Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, and I knew I needed to make the most of it.  It is not very often that you are surrounded by thousands of people in your industry, including suppliers, attendees and leaders in the Sign and Print Industry.  Navigating my way through the crowd was the easy part.  Finding ways to leave an impression on those I spoke with was what I set out to do.

 

The video above was only half of the crowd.  I was on a landing and there was a second level of the show behind me.  The SGIA Expo was an enormous trade show with over 22,000 people registered and I was determined to get Sign Depot’s custom artistic signs on the radar of those in attendance.

Finding Your Niche

To get a good feel for the show I started by visiting some of our equipment suppliers.  I found out what they had planned for new year and to see what new products would be available to Canadian Sign Shops.  Knowing all the new materials that would soon be available gave me a good idea on how Sign Depot could incorporate their new items into our artistic signs.  We always strive to be sign innovators because we want your custom sign to stand out and be noticed.

I also asked the suppliers what most attending the show were looking for info wise so I could be ready to converse about the hot topics happening at SGIA.  With a good idea of what those at the SGIA Expo were looking for, I was off and running.  Well, not running but ready to network my way across the sign industry.

Interestingly enough many had heard of Sign Depot and the work that was happening at our Kitchener Ontario workshop.  It was the article in Sign Media about the Award Winning Beertown Sign that made us recognizable in USA. Not only was it a great jumping off point, I was able to elaborate further about the custom signs Sign Depot manufactures and how working with our wholesale sign department could bring them a whole new revenue stream.  This was of interest to many and I found my ID badge being scanned for further contact info over and over.  Knowing the niche market I was targeting made all the difference.

Finding The Fun  

All work and no play would take all the fun out of artistic sign making.  Choosing to stay on top of trends and looking for new sign innovations is fantastic but a little outside inspiration can go a long way.  So I decided to take it to the streets!

Watching some of the live demonstrations reminded me of the Sign Depot workshop.  It is always great to see those in the sign industry show their skills, but after the SGIA Expo I decided I needed some real outside inspiration too.

 

Where else but Las Vegas can you find artists creating right in front of you? 

 

They say What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas but I think these signs are meant to be displayed for all to see.  I think you may recognize a few.

 

 But it seems where ever I go, I always manage to find a pirate ship.

Do you attend conferences and events in your industry?  Let us know your experiences.  Leave a comment below, send us a tweet, or post your comment on our facebook page.  We want to know if it made an impact on your business.

 

 

Artistic Singer, Artistic Design and What they Have in Common With Signs

Signs, Designs and How Bob Dylan Brought it All Together

Bob Dylan is often referred to as artist of a generation.  His unique sound and thought provoking lyrics have been heard by many but what brought Dylan to the mainstream audience was the clip of his song Subterranean Homesick Blues  in the film Don’t Look Back.  During the clip Bob Dylan uses several of rudimentary signs to grab attention to the messages in his song.

Flash forward to present day.  Film and video are still ways to express a message and Bob Dylan is still influencing others.  Take a look at how his lyrics influenced one designer to re-create the signs and messages from the original film clip, using several styles of artistic typography.

http://vimeo.com/49556689

 The video is a great representation of how fonts play into relaying a message.  Finding a lettering style that matches what you want to convey is something that designers do very well.  They choose the font that best tells your story and fits your brand.  Here’s a great example of the word scary displayed in two different fonts.

The choice of font makes a bigger impact in the lower photo because it also displays the feeling that goes along with the word. Your artistic font choice gives your text a voice.  Make sure to consider what your text says when picking a font. It can put emphasis on the message you want others to read and understand.

Finding Fonts Fascinating?

Then join us at the screening of the TYPEFACE Film.  Happening October 12 2012 at 7pm in Waterloo Ontario’s Princess Cinema.

Watch the trailer on our post The Sign Depot Presents Typeface and purchase your tickets.

Becoming a fan of fonts? See how to use them in artistic sign design from both a signage point of view in the links in this posts and look for upcoming blogs on the topic.

What Does Heritage Sign Making Have To Do With Disney?

Timeline of Signs

Sign making is a craft that originated in ancient times according to Wikipedia.  Fast forward to the modern day where the function of signage is described as a means of…

 communication, to convey information such that its receiver can make cognitive decisions based on the information provided. In general, signage can be classified into the following functions: (a)Information: signs giving information about services and facilities, e.g., maps, directories, instructions for use, etc. (b)Direction: signs leading to services, facilities, functional spaces and key areas, e.g., sign posts, directional arrows, etc. (c)Identification: signs indicating services and facilities, e.g., room names & numbers, toilet signs, number of floors, etc. (d)Safety and Regulatory: signs giving warning or safety instructions, e.g., warning signs, traffic signs, exit signs, rules & regulations, etc.

This description makes signage sound like a rather dull concept.  We think the contrary.  Making noticeably unique signs are tasks that professional sign makers tackle every day.  Using heritage sign making techniques like hand painting, carving, routering, blasting, and guilding (gold leaf applications) are just some of the ways that the sign crafters of today create bold looks and eye catching signs.

Behind The Scenes

Finding the best technique to suit what the sign represents can be challenging, but through different methods of design and construction the desired look will be achieved.  Take a look at this behind the scenes video of the Disney Sign Shop

They use several of the same processes we do.  Both traditional heritage looks and modern style sign making processes (and sometimes a mix of the two) make the signage industry a far more interesting concept, while still making signage functional.

Signs of a Great Sign Maker

Choosing a sign maker that has expertise in a variety of of sign making techniques ensures you have the signage that meets your requirements and exceeds your expectations.  The art of sign making requires high attention to detail as well the ability to produce outstanding results.  Make sure your sign maker of choice provides you with the choices you need to suit your needs as well as your sign budget. Taking the time to listen to your preferences and consider the options that will make your sign stand up and stand out is what makes for great sign maker.

 

Mother’s Day Custom Engraved Signs – Personalized Gifts

Custom Signs Made for Mom

We wouldn’t want you to stress over the gift for the THE BEST MOM EVER, so here’s an early reminder that Mother’s Day is May 13, 2012 and we have a few gift suggestions for the Moms in your life.

Signs for the garden

Do you know a Mom who spends her spring days in the Garden? Custom Granite signs area a great choice for her.  They can be customized with sandblasted text, graphics and even colour to add some flair.  These signs are durable and look fantastic in flower beds, near slate or interlocking brick.

An artistic sign is a welcome addition

A cheery warm engraved wood welcome sign will compliment any entrance-way.  These wood signs have a simple elegance that will show just how thoughtful you are.  The neutral tones were chosen to match several different decor schemes and the sign’s size is perfect for a front door of a home or cottage.

Customized creative cedar signs

 A little creativity can go a long way!  Choosing a custom designed sandblasted cedar wood sign for her gift will make it a Mother’s Day to remember!  Why not get Mom something that best represents her?  Choose the size, shape, colours, text and graphics to customize the look of a residential sign.  These custom engraved wood signs are great as gifts for homes, cottages and vacation properties.

  

Need something altogether different? We have lots of unique ways to customize a sign for you. Need some inspiration? Take a look at our Sign Depot Pinterest Boards.  They have been known to ignite the creative spark in all of us.

With Mother’s Day less than a month away, make sure to contact us today.  The Sign Depot has lots of options to suit you budget, and we’ll make sure you’re still Mom’s Favorite!

International Sign Association Competition and Sign Depot’s Artistic Signs

Sign Depot Entries

In previous years we have entered and been rewarded in sign competitions, hence the name of our facebook page.  We are very proud of our Award Winning Artistic Signs! This year we have several entries in the International Sign Association Competition.  This competition is not a judged panel, but instead it is being turned over to the website viewer.

Because Sign Depot offers many types of signs solutions, we are able to fit into many categories for ISA Competition

Here are the signs we entered

Building Signage – Gusto 101 as well as Jacob’s Grill (although you can only vote for 1 sign per category, we liked them both so much, we had to enter them both)

Electronic Message Centre – STS Mortgage Pros

Free Standing Electric – Blackshop Restaurant and Sole Restaurant (again we couldn’t decide between these two wonderful landmark signs)

Free Standing Non Electric– Molson Canadian Brewhouse

So if you think we STAND OUT from the competition, have your say by casting your vote here

 http://www.signs.org/EducationEvents/SignDesignCompetition/VoteforyourFavoriteSign.aspx

   

Valentine’s Sign

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us The Sign Depot.  To learn more Valentines Signs please take a look here

Does Your Branding Travel With You? Try Artistic Signs In The Form Of Vinyl Vehicle Graphics

On The Road Again

If you run a business there is a good chance you are also running to meetings, and by running I mean driving.  How much time does your vehicle spend on the road each day?  How many different streets to do you travel on?  How many people do you pass by?

Those are all questions to consider when thinking of extending your branding to your vehicle.  When you stop and think about it, your vehicle is more than your mode of transportation, it’s an extension of your business.  Choosing the graphics for your motor vehicle is just as important as selecting a the right size of car/truck/van to meet your needs.

What Do You Want To Be Remembered By?

Here are 5 things that you should think about when deciding on your vehicle graphics

1. Will it stand out on a moving vehicle?
2. Is it designed to look appealing when parked?
3. Does it have quick contact info? (IE website, social networks, and/or phone number)
4. Is the logo memorable?
5. Are the graphics a good reflection of what you specialize in?

Other things to consider are colours, durability and placement.  There are also options of auto-body or car window graphics.  Small details such as using reflective lettering can make a difference in your vehicle’s visibility to the public.

Where would Lightning McQueen be without his Rust-eze logo?

How else would you know to hide out from the Stride Gum Advertising Team?

and what makes this car look so familiar?

http://youtu.be/w1b4jnHJo4Q

Make sure to consider how your vinyl vehicle graphics will be displayed.  If you are using the vehicle for promotional purposes it is important that you choose eye-catching brand design.  Artistic signs in the form of vehicle graphics are a great way to grab attention and display what your business specialty is.

Whether you find yourself on the Lost Highway, Route 66 or The Freeway Of Love make sure that you are getting  the most out of your transportation investment by making your mobile branding memorable.

Our Artistic Signs Featured In Client Campaigns – Sign Solutions

Make It Memorable

We always strive to give our clients that affective first impression that they are looking for.  Making them stand out from everything else is what we want to accomplish.  At the same time we want it to be aesthetically pleasing, never an eye sore.  We want their artistic signage to be remembered for its style, not for being an obtrusive object. We want our artistic sign solutions to show off  what the client’s company has to offer their customers and help  bring new customers to them.  Here at The Sign Depot we create signs to fit each individual business, that way each custom sign is unique and memorable.

Found In The Photos

Below are  examples of  three of our clients that created three different webshots/photos using sign solutions by The Sign Depot.   It represented their business but did not take away from the purpose of the shot.

Family Photo

When Deb from IronKids Gummy Vitamins came to us for a banner to be used at running events they sponsor, we had no idea it end up being their Ultimate Family Photo

Facebook Promo

Local business owner Rebecca from Gloss came to us for storefront signage that would be visible to both traffic and walk-bys, we were thrilled to see it was also part of their latest Facebook Campaign

Website Focal Point

Brand new restaurant Gusto 101 wanted a sign that would blend in with it surroundings.  Creating a look they wanted used several techniques to achieve a weathered look.  They were very pleased with the end result.  So much so that they featured it on their website.

Producing an artistic sign that impresses the client is what we set out to do each and every time.  Knowing that our clients are creating campaigns around the business signs we made for them means that they had a lasting impression.