Designing a sign for your business can seem daunting. Where do you start? What makes a good sign? How will you attract customers? And yet, we almost instinctively know when we see a great custom sign.
If it holds catches your eye and holds your attention, it does the job – the question is simply how you ensure your sign is memorable for all the right reasons.
Our guide will break down the 5 big factors you should keep in mind as you begin the design process for your business.
This blog is an introduction to the basics of custom sign design. If you’re looking to get signage made for your business, get in contact with Signworks to get some personalized advice and start the process today.
1. Purpose
This is the very starting point of any design process. ‘What do you want your sign to achieve?’ may seem like an obvious question, but it is the very first piece of information any designer will need from you. Whether it’s attracting new customers, rebranding the company, communicating a change, or simply encouraging a professional perception of your business, narrowing down the specific things you want your sign to achieve will frame the entire design.
2. Target Audience
Every demographic will respond to a different kind of sign best. Whether you’re targeting passing traffic, existing clients, passers-by, or investors, there will be specific design changes that will best cater to each audience. Maybe your sign needs to be clear and able to be read in a few seconds from a passing car, or maybe it needs to communicate a sense of
professionalism and success. Understanding your target audience is vital to the design process.
3. Visibility
Location is one of the most important things to consider when creating a new sign for your business. Above all, a sign needs to be seen. It’s important to note your building and where the sign will be most accessible to the public. Taking into consideration the distance between the sign and its potential audience and competition will make all the difference – if
your business is tucked away out of sight, your sign will need to stand on its own to make an impact. Location and size are of utmost importance to make sure any sign you design is clear and visible!
4. Make it Interesting
If you’re looking into how you can design a custom sign, one of the biggest things to remember is that you’re looking to spark attention. Using a variety of design elements will help your sign stand out and be memorable beyond simply being clear and easy to read. Be it through popping color, graphics, shape, borders, contrasting elements, or anything else,
putting in the effort to make your design stand out will make all the difference.
5. Message
Of course, the message you want your sign to communicate to audiences is essential. Once you have your purpose clearly defined from the early stages of the design process, it will be a lot easier to narrow down what your sign should say. Every word placed on the sign should be integral to the design and clearly helping to communicate the overall purpose. Keeping
concise is key – when it comes to business signs, less is typically more. An audience will be put off by an overcrowded advertisement, so above all you want to choose words carefully to communicate your message and keep your layout pleasing to the eye.
Get in Contact Today to Begin Your Design Process
The basics of sign design are simple, but it can be difficult to know where to begin. At Signworks, we’re committed to helping you design a sign that will benefit your business. If you’re interested in building a custom sign tailored to your business and its needs, get in touch with us today to start the process and discuss how we might be able to help you.