Well, I'm finally getting around to doing a sign for my 'shop' (Read: house). I'd like to see what other people here have for their own signs to get some ideas.
My truck is my sign, and you've already seen that.
We have some rules here in this town for home-based businesses.
1.) No Signs out front. 2.) No address information in advertisements/business cards - Phone Numbers only.
They're just tryin to keep neighborhoods lookin like neighborhoods, which is a good thing cause with the number of home-based businesses in this town it certainly wouldn't be such a beautiful place to live with signs lining all the streets.
You might want to see if your city has any ordinances similar to this. My city actually hands you all the info when you apply for a biz license.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posted by Shane French (Member # 2098) on :
Yep, wish I had a truck (soon, very soon...).
Actually I live on the strip of highway here in town that is now being converted to commercially zoned property. In any event, I'm puttin out a sign as soon as I get this thing laid out just right.
What do I know? I'm sure someone will disagree with me (already making a mental list of those who will), but I will still throw my 2 cents worth in.
Designing your own sign is extremely difficult (almost as difficult as deciding a new shop name). I like the fade, but I think the gray at the top should be a little lighter to make the Halo Graphics easier to read. In the wrong lighting, the black won't contrast enough with that dark of a gray and people'll be squinting trying to figure out what it says.
I like keeping the color choice simple, but I think it needs a bit more color. Perhaps make the Signs Screen Printing Graphic Design a different color or add some somewhere else.
Hope my thoughts have helped. Even if you disagree with my ideas, maybe they'll help you figure out some of your own.
------------------ Chris King Paper Works & Graphix Indiana, PA
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi, Shane, Have to agree with Chris, black on gray is in MHO a sure way to lose readability. Also, is there any one area of what you do that you would consider prime that you would want to put more emphasis on? Last item-- if this is a road side sign, then I think you have a bit of copy overkill in the lower left corner. On the fly, one would have a hard time picking up on that. Just 2 cents worth from somebody who has no sign at all, other than the truck.
------------------ Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA wpreston2@stny.rr.com
Posted by The Moon (Member # 452) on :
My first thought was KISS... Keep It Simple Silly (I don't know ya well enough to call ya stupid yet, but if ya go to Ron's I'm sure we'll be calling each other ALL kinds of names afterwards Looking forward to meeting ya!)
KISS- something I can never do with my posts... However-
The speed limit through the Oaks is 35mph in town (10mph if one the board CHP cars is following you- ), but on either side of town it's 45mph. (of which they NEVER follow) Besides the 45mph however you have the Lake right next to the side of the Hwy that most (read that the sober ones ) are trying to avoid veering into. Then there's all the houses right ON the Hwy... ugh. I just find that stretch of Hwy 20 hard to navigate with all that and the curves winding around through the nooks of the hills and the edge of the Lake... (deep breathe) My suggestion is: Short and Simple, it would be easier to actually "See" while driving through there... And... Oh this is good! ...do the Burma shave signs! I ALWAYS need a count down to find Grandmas the first trip through.
If I was living with my wild Grandma Rose and were to put up a sign in front of Grandma's there just past the third 45mph sign (that's how I find her) it would read "Signs" with the business name a lot smaller just below it. Now with Grandma knowing ALL the neighbors on both sides from her house to the Oaks and Lucerne I'd be able to drop in funny Burma Shave signs along the way to count down the curves 'til the driveway.
You know, that might just be a great idea (I amaze myself sometimes ) the Oaks and surrounding areas are covered with Retired People. They would be quick to relate to the old Burma signs and it would "work" for you via word of mouth. "Did you see those Burma Shave signs along Hwy 20 outta the Oaks? Remember that trip to Aunt Betty's with the ol' Studebaker when we laughed so hard at the Burma shave signs Daddy passed Betty's and ended up at Harold's?!" ...and it starts- they be coming in droves to see your signs and in turn "see" you!
Gavin posted a link to 300 million Burma Shave sign here a while back... look it up for some originals or better yet, to avoid copyright chaos, make up your own.
The powered by caffeine today side of the Moon
------------------ The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day!
Posted by Shane French (Member # 2098) on :
Stefenie,
Hey, my house IS on the highway you bugger!
Seriously though, thanks for the comments. It's going to take me a while to figure out your entire post (Burma Shave?) But I get the general point, which is not to make anybody crash while reading my sign.
Chris and Bill, thanks! I guess this gradient looks cool here on the screen, but perhaps it won't be so hot on a 'real live' sign. I'm leaning towards doing a faux marble paint job on the sign and then lettering.
I appreciate all your comments, please keep them coming.
I can sympathize with your struggle concerning producing your own sign. I'm this close to putting up my redesigned sign, and in my case, it's become a matter of doing what I thought was best, then just holding my breath and getting it out there.
Anyway, if I may be so presumptuous, I'll throw in my two cents, too: *Keep the shape simple, but jazz up the background *Eliminate all the copy you can't comfortably read in 2 seconds...or less. *Break up your fonts (that is, don't use the same font throughout the layout. But keep it to three or less) *Consult your color wheel and utilize complementary colors for background/lettering contrast. And don't ignore the values (black and white). *Finally, when you've got your layout just the way you want it, ask yourself if you, as a driver, would feel compelled to look at the sign as it came into your field of view. Then judge it for legibility.
I don't know your level of expertise or craftsmanship, so maybe some of these suggestions are not practical. Of course, you can always grab some back issues of Signcraft and borrow elements of signs you like, and put them together to create something unique to you.
Good Luck.
------------------ Brian Oliver Paxton Signs, Inc. Fort Collins, CO paxton@peakpeak.com
[This message has been edited by brian oliver (edited August 14, 2001).]
), but on either side of town it's 45mph. (of which they NEVER follow) Besides the 45mph however you have the Lake right next to the side of the Hwy that most (read that the sober ones 
) are trying to avoid veering into. Then there's all the houses right ON the Hwy... ugh. I just find that stretch of Hwy 20 hard to navigate with all that and the curves winding around through the nooks of the hills and the edge of the Lake... (deep breathe) My suggestion is: Short and Simple, it would be easier to actually "See" while driving through there... And... Oh this is good! ...do the Burma shave signs! I ALWAYS need a count down to find Grandmas the first trip through.