Creating a sign to be displayed for your business or within the interior requires a strong attention to detail. There are various moving parts that can make or break your sign’s effectiveness, which is why undergoing the proper preparation is key. To help you convey your message, spark the attention of your target audience, or grow your business revenue, consider some of the core disciplines of sign design.
1. Identify the Purpose
When designing a sign, you need to clearly identify the purpose before doing anything else. This helps guide your messaging, marketing, and overall branding. For the best results, try to imagine you are a member of the target audience. What do they need? What kind of challenges do they face? What would entice you to take action and work with a company after seeing their sign? Try to think outside of the box and think of things to maximize your signs effectiveness. You’ll also want to consider where the sign will be placed to ensure the proper materials are used for weatherproofing.
2. Consider Read Distance
Another important element of sign design is the read distance. The font size will determine the range of visibility, but not all signs need to be seen from a mile away. If you’re going to be using an informative sign that describes an action, a room, or a direction within a building, the read distance can be smaller. If you’re going to be designing a large-scale marketing piece like a billboard, the font size will need to be much larger to see. Minimize visual clutter to get the most out of your sign and stay in line with your overall purpose.
3. Prioritize Placement
The location your sign is going to be installed needs to be carefully considered during the design phase as well. If the sign is too small, not in the correct field of vision, or awkwardly placed, it can be missed by your target audience. Place it somewhere that makes sense, with unobstructed surroundings and attention-grabbing contrast to its background.
4. Optimize Design Elements
Only after you determine the purpose, read distance, and placement should you begin on the actual design elements. These features allow you to stand out from the environment your sign is placed. The design elements will also help you persuade action or spark interest. Always use the appropriate contrasts, stick to branding guidelines, and try to create a layout that supports a natural flow of observation. If your sign is visible, but not really seen, there’s no point in displaying it in the first place.
Whether you need a sign that helps convey safety messages, information, identification, or advertising copy, the professionals at Impact Color can help. We provide high-quality printing for signs of all needs, including those that comply with ADA compliance regulations, and local sign ordinances. To learn more about our process, or receive an estimate for your next project, contact us today.
