class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘Design’
No Comments The Sign Depot – @ The Top Of Canada
Peter Moir of The Sign Depot Heads To The Top of Canada
Last month Peter Moir, owner/president of The Sign Depot went on his yearly canoe trip. This year his trip took him to the top of Canada. He and his canoe group headed to Baffin Island, Nunavut to explore the Mount Joy area of the Soper River. The Soper River, now deemed a heritage river in Canada, is region full of wildlife, including polar bears!
The summer days are extended in Baffin Island. With only a few hours of darkness you can explore the area at length each day. As you can see Peter was able to find great scenery along his canoeing adventure.
A lot of planning went into preparing for this trip. Here are just a few things to think about when planning a canoe trip vacation.
How To Plan A Canoe Trip
- Research the area – Make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations for that area
- Travel light – Everything you need has to be transported by canoe or carried by you
- Make it waterproof – Keep your belongings in a watertight container to avoid damage
- Capture the moment – Remember your camera so you are able to photograph your adventure
These are just a few things to think about when planning a canoe trip. The best way to prepare is to speak to someone with a lot of paddling experience.
Summer Vacation
How are you spending your summer vacation? Are you planning a canoe trip or something else? Perhaps a long trek, or a relaxing time at a cottage or cabin? Which ever you choose we hope you get to spend some time enjoying the outdoors this summer. It won’t be long until the winter starts to creep in and we’ll be talking about hygge once again.
Custom Signs That Leave A Lasting Impression
Who Said It First?
No one really knows who coined the phrase
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression!”
While, this rings true when it comes to storefront signage and reception signs, but our stance here at The Sign Depot is a little different.
Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, make sure your signage leaves a lasting one.
We want your business to look impressive from the moment that a potential customer sees it, but we want your company signage to leave a lasting impression as well. Choosing to brand your business with custom signs is the best way to ensure your company is memorable. This is of great importance when it comes to current clients recommending your business to others. They want to refer their friends and colleagues to well established professionals. If your signs don’t convey that sentiment there is less of a chance that your will get that word of mouth recommendation.
What Do Your Custom Signs Say About Your Business?
Springtime is always a good time to take a look at your building’s curb appeal. Take some time to pass by your business. See how it looks to those traveling past in a vehicle or just walking by. Will they be impressed by what they see? What is your signage saying about your business? If it’s not conveying the message that you are the expert in your industry, it would be a good idea to change it. You may just change the impression of your business in your community.
Have The Last Word
Choosing to create a custom sign that elevates your brand is the best way to make a statement both visually and in your field of business. It acts as a 24 hour advertisement for your company, so be sure to consult the expertise of a professional sign company. They will make recommendations that fit your business and your budget. Your custom sign might start a conversation with a potential customer or help influence a decision maker looking for a new supplier. Here at The Sign Depot we want to ensure your company is always top of mind and leaves a lasting impression.
3 Dimensional Signs, Interactive Displays, Plinko Boards And More
Creating Engagement With 3 Dimensional Signs
Finding ways for companies to interact and stay engaged with their clients is very important. Being memorable is one of our 3 Keys To A Successful Trade Show. It keeps your business top of mind with your current and potential customers and helps to increase brand awareness about your company. Using 3 dimensional signs to create engagement with the public may not something you have thought of, but you can see by the examples below, interactive displays can get your info shared to a larger audience.
Providing Plinko Games To Gain An Audience
While many of our clients already come to us for unique signs for their trade shows and customer appreciation events, some really want to ensure that the audience takes the time to visit their display. This is when a PLINKO game can make an impact. While Heffner Toyota uses their custom Plinko game for customer promotions, The Great Canadian Meat Company is taking theirs to upcoming trade shows and the Portland Trail Blazers use theirs to interact with fans. Each of these circumstances create memorable experiences between the brand and their audience.
#SecretProject from @TheSignDepot has arrived. We can't keep staff away from it. Play at upcoming sales. pic.twitter.com/IdXfPON0ap
— Heffner Toyota Lexus (@HeffnerToyota) March 26, 2015
Interactive Sign Displays
When it comes to creating buzz about your brand, social media is one of the best ways to spread your message. Most people think of interactive displays as immersive virtual reality or augmented reality experiences, but any display that people interact with counts as well. Souvenir City came to Sign Depot to create a 3 dimensional sign structure to use as a photo booth prop for their Niagara Falls location. As you can see by tweet below, their visitors are putting it to good use by snapping photos and posting it on social media channels.
THANK YOU to @Radisson @NiagaraParks @NiagaraFallsTourism & @SouvenirCityNF for the amazing family memories! >> https://t.co/dXeSO8r2VK pic.twitter.com/sEJRYJ7Oy1
— Mar Ward (@toandfro21) January 30, 2017
Engage Your Audience With 3 Dimensional Signs
Whether you are looking for leads at a trade show or search for new fans online, using your business signs to display your brand is a great way to gain exposure. The sign-making experts here at The Sign Depot are here to assist you with your branded signage. Just visit the CONTACT US page to request a free quote.
Custom Sign Design With Hygge In Mind
What Is Hygge?
Are you wondering what’s with all the hype around hygge? In last month’s post we talked about the Norweign technique of Rosemaling. This month we thought we would try to explain the idea of Danish Hygge Design. According to VisitDenmark.com “The high season of hygge is Christmas, when Danes pull out all the hygge stops. Danish winters are long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge”, but it also goes on to explain that you that you can still experience hygge in the summer. “Picnics in the park, barbeques with friends, outdoor concerts, street festivals and bike rides can all be very hygge”. The concept of hygge is best explained in the video below.
Custom Sign Design With Hygge In Mind
Hygge is a state of mind and incorporating hygge into and establishment can start with a custom sign design. Just like the video shown above, the idea of bicycles, comfort and coffee became a great recipe for the Berlin Bicycle Cafe. The custom sign and rooftop bicycle structure outside let you know about the inviting atmosphere you will find inside their cafe. Extending the concept from the exterior to the interior makes for cohesive design conditions and gives the people an idea of what to expect while they spend time in that space.
Bring Hygge To Your Home Or Home Away From Home
According to the website Psychologies, Scandinavian interior design is inspired by hygge through the use of tea lights and cosy throws draped over a sofa, but in an interview on Wired, it states that because of the severe weather in the area, they create very nice surroundings for their interiors. This is also why they create high end furniture and lighting. Finding the right mix for both inside and outside your home or cottage can create an inviting environment for your family and friends.
Feeling Frozen With Rosemaling For Dimensional Signs
Dimensional Signs That Resemble Rosemaling
Are you wondering what we mean by rosemaling? Rosemaling is a design term that is based on Norwegian folk art. It features flourishes, scroll work and geometric shapes. Often rosemaling is a repetitive design. In the Disney animated movie FROZEN, rosemaling was repetitive throughout the film. The architecture, the furnishings, the outfits and even the winter scenery in the film was designed around the rosemaling technique. You can see glimpses of modern rosemaling patterns in the LET IT GO music video below.
Did you notice how the snowflakes, Elsa’s cape and even her castle highlight rosemaling?
Because of it’s artistic style, rosemaling is often incorporated into dimensional signs here at The Sign Depot. Below are a few examples of designs and dimensional signs that have references to rosemaling.
Heading North?
This outdoor dimensional stone sign was sandblasted with a geometric design pointing to north, south, east and west. It also includes some scrolls near the bottom of the sign.
Dimensional Signs And Structures
Below is just one part of what became a large floral sign structure. With Pantone announcing their 2017 Colour Of The Year as Greenery, this HDU (high density urethane) sign element fits well for this time of year. We think think this structure would also work well in a rosemaling design.
Feeling Frozen?
Even our winter scene logo has geometric shapes and a scroll design that would be found in a folk art rosemaling pattern. While we are not located in Norway, you might get a little chilly when you take a look at all the details in this logo design.
With the arrival of the fresh white snow all we have left to ask is DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A SNOWMAN?
via GIPHYA little FROZEN humor to melt your heart.
via GIPHY
Artistic Sign Design With Pantone’s 2017 Colour Of The Year – Greenery
‘Tis The Season
As in prior years, designers await an early December announcement from Pantone. It’s an announcement that does set a “tone” for the next year. Yesterday the wait ended as Pantone announced it’s upcoming Colour Of The Year. The choice for the 2017 Pantone Colour Of The Year is GREENERY.
It’s perfect timing as our last post was about selecting cedar trees as Christmas trees and we think adding some green is always a great idea. It’s a colour we often incorporate into our artistic sign design for our seasonal products.
Going Green For 2017
With Greenery making it’s way to the forefront of Pantone’s extensive colour list, we expect to see it incorporated into logo designs and branding strategies very soon. The new year is a fantastic time to plan a re-brand or launch advertising campaign, and a fresh colour like Greenery will add vibrancy to branding and marketing initiatives. Finding ways to stay ahead of competitors is something that needs to be planned months in advance, so now is the best time to decide if your business should go green for 2017. One of the best ways to get ahead of the pack is to update your company signs. If you are not sure where to start when it comes to signage, just visit our CONTACT US page to be connected with The Sign Depot’s artistic sign design team. They can assist with ways to incorporate this colour and complimentary shades into your branding, exterior business signs and retail signage. If you already have your designs in place we are able to work with that as well. Many well known design firms come to the sign-makers here at The Sign Depot for their expertise in creating signs that match their design work. The Sign Depot’s artistic sign designers and sign-makers understand the creative process. From concept to design to manufacturing the approved signage, they can produce a high quality representation of your business.
Do you plan to incorporate the Pantone’s Colour Of The Year GREENERY into your business for 2017? Let us know in the comments.
Creating Custom Business Signs That Work For Your Business
Do You Realize That Your Sign Is Working Hard For You?
Many businesses think of their signs as an address marker but they are so much more than that. A custom business sign is an extension of your company’s brand and it serves as a 24 hour advertisement for your business. That means your sign is working to expand your business by attracting new customers to your location. By choosing a sign that reflects the standards for your business, you are conveying what you are able to offer consumers. Some of these items may include
- Quality
- Welcoming Atmosphere
- Transparency
- Attention Detail
These are just a few ways that your custom business signs show your potential customers what they can expect from you.Open The Door To New Business
Sometimes just getting them in the door is all it takes to showcase all that your business has to offer. By choosing a sign design that allows your establishment to look approachable and friendly you are sending out signals to passers-by that your company is inviting and looking forward to having them pop in. They see it as a new experience and you should see it as an opportunity to introduce them to your business.
Leave Your Mark As A Landmark
Some of the best landmarks in a community are business signs. Think of when you are giving directions to someone new in town that is not familiar with the street names yet. You will often give them landmarks to let them know how to arrive at their destination. Make sure your business is a landmark in the area. Make it easy to recognize from a distance to ensure your company is easy to find and memorable to someone new.
Shed Some Light On The Matter
As mentioned earlier your sign is works 24 hours a day, so be sure that it is visible day or night. By doing this you let others know that your are available beyond 9 to 5 to assist them with your business services.
Is your sign working for you? If you think it’s not properly doing its job be sure to visit our CONTACT US page to connect with the expert sign-makers here at The Sign Depot.
Custom Golf Course Signs Get You Into The Swing Of Things
Getting Golf Courses Set For The Season
If you read our post last month, about THE SIGNS OF SPRING, then you know we’re getting ready for our busy signage season. With the golf season about to be in full swing, now is the time that golf courses need to look at their signage. Whether it is time to refresh entrance signs, re-brand club house signs, design new tee signs or install course wayfinding signage, having high quality custom golf course signs shows the golfers that their course of choice is committed to serving their needs. This is very important to businesses that often bring clients for a round of golf. The golf course they choose is often a reflection of the companies they represent.
Golf Course Sign Substrates
Golf course signs can be made from a variety of materials. Often western red cedar sandblasted signs are the of choice for many golf courses, because of their traditional look, but there other material choices as well. When it comes to custom golf course signs, we manufacture them from kiln dried wood, weathered barn-board, metals, stone and slate. Each choice gives the golf course a distinct look that best represents their course and it’s surroundings.
Bringing The Great Outdoors Inside
While many golf courses think only of their landscape signs, there are also opportunities to brand their golf course inside their facilities as well. Signs are needed for pro shops, event facilities, administration offices and sponsored tournaments. As golfers wander their, halls they often look for directories and course layouts to ensure they are headed to the proper areas.
Tee Time Tips
We’re looking for your best golf tips. Where to golf, what to bring, how to choose a course etc. Leave them in the comments below. Your “pro tip” may just make it into our next post and help some of our readers get into the swing of things for the upcoming spring golf season.
Bringing Custom Business Bike Signs To Berlin Bicycle Cafe
Finding The Right Custom Sign Is Like Finding The Right Ride
Finding the right fit when it comes to custom business signs is like finding the right bike.
When Berlin Bicycle Cafe wanted to ensure that their signage was highly visible in the busy Belmont Village, they came to The Sign Depot to create signs for their exterior and rooftop. This was to let people know that their cafe was more than just coffee. They wanted to create a community for bicycle commuters that were passionate about bikes and being social over a cup of coffee.
Fabricating And Installing The Bike Themed Signage
The rooftop sign had to resemble a bicycle, but be sturdy enough to handle the elements.
It began as a CNC router cut piece.
It was finished in black and installed on top of the cafe. As you can see from this image above, the replica bicycle structure is holding it’s own against Mother Nature. The Berlin Bicycle Cafe store front letters were a bold font finished white. The contrast from the dark facade of the building lets the text stand out and captures the attention of the traffic in the area. Whether the traffic is by vehicle, pedestrians walking by or those biking in the area, the Berlin Bicycle Cafe custom business signage is noticeable from all directions. When you are in a high traffic area, catching the busy passers-by can be a difficult task, but as you can see in the final installation image below, this establishment is making it’s mark.
Get Set For The Busy Spring Season
While you might be thinking about pulling your bicycle out and pedaling you bike around town, first take a look at your establishment’s facade. Could it use a refresh this spring? The Sign Depot is here to help with that. Visit our CONTACT US page to see how some new business signage can get you all set for a busy spring season.
Creating A 3 Dimensional Sign For Kitestring Creative Branding Studio
Creating With The Creatives
Over the years we have created several 3 dimensional signs. Some signs have been designed here in house while others have come with the sign design in place and required us to fabricate their signage to their specifications. In this case Kitestring Creative Branding Studio had all the pieces “almost” in place. By pieces, I mean they wanted a layered 3 dimensional sign for their Hamilton Ontario office space. They came to us with the design specifications in hand and it was up to the expert signmakers here at The Sign Depot to piece the project together.
Dimension By Design
The design for the interior sign included a brushed aluminum backer topped with a black panel with individual letter cutouts, and the addition of acrylic pieces finished to match the Kitesting logo.
Once assembled the 3 dimensional sign was ready for it’s new home at the Kitestring office.
Stand Out From The Surroundings
The use of colour and dimension worked well and gave the sleek sign an extra level of style and sofistication that fit well in the workspace. As you can see from the installed image below, the sign stands out from its surrounding area.
It stands out two ways. First, the 3 dimensional sign literally stands out from the wall and second, the sign becomes a focal point for the room.
Bring Your Brand To The Forefront
Do you have a office space that could use some attention? Does your reception area need to be more receptive to clients? Perhaps a 3 dimensional sign could be the professional edge that you need for your workspace. It may even assist in bringing the branding of your business to the forefront of your industry. Be sure to visit our CONTACT US page to get our expert signmakers working with your company!
