While designing the aesthetics of your business, including your logo, website, building sign, and office décor, sometimes you just sit there and think, I didn’t sign up for this! But you know that setting up each of these aspects is part of owning a business, so you hire graphic designers and read up on the psychology of marketing and colours and fonts, then take a few minutes to choose paintcolour and the ergonomic benefits of chairs. Get business cards printed, signs installed, your website live, throw in a coffee maker, and you’re done!
Speaking from a rapidly changing design specialty field, we have to ask: how long ago was that? And did you make selections based on current trends, or classic lines? The same questions can be asked of every aspect of your business. If it’s been five years, there’s a good chance that some part of your initial design phase is ready for an update. First and foremost we ask ourselves this same question to ensure that we consistently look like what we are; leaders in our field. Secondly, we want to demonstrate to our clients that Grand River Sign Design is a company they can trust to be leading-edge competitors. Our business has to dress the part as much as our staff do.
As sign designers, we recommend that you start with exterior elements – especially any outdoor signage. Despite every precaution and top-of-the-line material used, signs fade and become damaged from the extreme weather we experience in southern Ontario. Now consider a brand new customer walking up to your storefront: what do they see? And will it instill confidence that you’re the right company to spend their money on? Don’t forget to take a look at seasonal or occasional signage you have in storage, including roadside banners, sandwich boards for wear-and-tear.
Next, consider how well your designs have aged. Burnt orange was really popular in the 70s. USING FONTS THAT ARE IN ALL CAPS SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE YELLING. ARE YOU YELLING? An extensive amount of companies use lots of blue in their designs. A lot of customers looked at your website first – will they feel the brand extension in store? Today’s shoppers put little faith in salesy jargon and a great deal of trust in your personal appeal for their business. You’re competing in a corporate culture with flexible work spaces, bold colours, and risk-taking with graphic design and use of photography. Ensure that if you’re still using your original colour scheme from 25 years ago that it looks purposefully vintage and not like the last item to take care of on your To Do List.
Custom building signage may be the perfect place to start a makeover. You have less than 7 seconds to grab attention from our screened-in society, so place importance on visibility. Elegance, boldness, fun, or polish can be created in the physical craft of your design. We’ve included several images for inspiration!
Grand River Sign Design can help you update your signage with little stress. Call us to book a consultation at (519) 740 7272 or visit our showroom at 25 Struck Court Unit D in Cambridge, Ontario.
