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I've been scouring the internet and old sign magazines for pictures of high-end architectural wayfinding systems, but mostly encountering standard post & panel systems. I have a customer who's looking for the top shelf stuff and although the fabrication is out of my league, I can make a few bucks as a middle man.
I need some idea starters to demonstrate what's possible before they go and buy some cookie cutter system elsewhere. If you know of any websites with big-bucks work, please let me know.
posted
I got my start in the sign industry working in the New York City office and corporate headquarters for ASI Sign Systems. At that time they claimed to be the largest sign company in the US with 30 offices in the US and Canada.
Today their website shows offices in 40 cities including ATLANTA. I believe they have been among the leaders in wayfinding & enviromental graphics back then, and ever since.
There are a lot of good manufacturers out there that can build what you want. Just ask the client for a huge retainer to come up with some killer designs and outsource the fabrication.
Maybe give Duncan (Dawg) a call too. I don't know if he does exterior signage, but the interior stuff he's posted here is sweet.
Besides what's been mentioned above, I would also suggest looking at Vistasystem.com, csbsigns.com, clarkesystems.com, 290signs.com, Apcocomponents.com and concrete signs for ideas.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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The website you show is stuff planned, designed and construction documented as custom systems. Depending on the size, the best way to be the middle man is plan, design and project manage the job. The process Lorenc/Yoo uses is probably very similar to that described in the book:
"Signage and Wayfinding Design: A Complete Guide to Creating Environmental Graphic Design Systems" By Chris Calori
I think I have mentioned a few other books over the years as well
For more inspiration, I would look at company sites like: Corbin Design Hunt Design Calori & Vanden-Eynden Design Consultants Sanchez/Kamps Associates Beisek Kiku Obata.... ...or check out www.SEGD.org
I'm not a big fan of system signage and there is still planning work to be done with them. Some system signage companies only work wih architects, designers and directly with the client so you may be cut out of the picture. Planning and designing yourself and then sending the jobs out to bid to quality vendors is a great way to be a part of the process while staying away from fabrication issues that are out of your scope. Companies pay well for the design part and it does has some value to the client to have a project designed and ready for bid...depending on the size of the project and materials used.
[ October 05, 2007, 03:36 AM: Message edited by: Rick Chavez ]
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Corbin Design that Rick mentioned is a local outfit. They morphed from a high end ad agency into wayfinding specialists. We do some occasional prototype samples for them.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I was working at a design firm and Jeffry visited my boss. He quietly peeked over my shoulder to see what I was working on....the only thing that came to my mind was 'Good thing I wasn't goofing around online"
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sonny, As rick pointed out, the design is what makes those systems so nice. I've had very good results with Charleston Industries ( www.cisigns.com )on design /build projects. You sketch it and they will figure out how to make their components work for it. Make sure that you get paid well for the design!
Doug mentioned ASI... My experience hasn't been good with some of those offices. Some will try to steal the client... be careful.
-------------------- Tom & Sharon Giampia Creative Image Design Port Chester, NY Posts: 285 | From: Port Chester | Registered: Mar 2001
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Thanks for the input everyone - nice to hear from Mr. Chavez again, I always value your advice. I'm using several elements of a book you recommended a while back: Environmental Graphics - Projects and Process by Wayne Hunt.
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