Gone are the days where we just expect a sign to be functional with no sensitivity to the space or people who occupy it. Blue restroom signs and plain colored plaques with a room number are no longer acceptable, unless you are a contractor just trying to get a certificate of occupancy.
More than ever, designers are challenged to create inspired workspaces.
Today's designers have a much bigger job. So many of us are engrossed in the virtual world—through laptop, tablet or smart phone—we now expect more from our real-world environments. More than ever, designers are challenged to create inspired workspaces. We see it in restaurants, retail, and now the workplace. Designers are being asked to make emotional connections with workers and visitors to promote brand loyalty and pride.
Signage can play a significant role in realizing these inspiring environments. It is not just about getting a company's logo on the sign. Today's sign systems can mesh with the architecture through shape and finish. They can tell a visual story through imagery, color and pattern. Even the idea of a sign being an object on the wall is challenged. Maybe the sign is the wall; utilizing a large printed graphic or applied letters.
Today's sign systems can mesh with the architecture through shape and finish. They can tell a visual story through imagery, color and pattern.
One thing is for sure; signage can no longer be looked at as a utilitarian after-thought. It must be part of the architecture and interior design vernacular, expressing a client's corporate personality and vision.
