Our Blog - A look into our world

Don't think vendor. Think partner when choosing a sign company.

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, May 17, 2013 @ 11:58 AM

When it comes to getting the most out of your signage budget, all the steps in our guide are important. But perhaps the number one step you can take to maximize your budget, develop useful signs and build long term brand consistence is to develop a partnership with a reputable sign company. 

Too often, businesses look at their vendors as simply suppliers. You order a product. The vendor delivers it. Done. This may work for your office supplies, but leaves something to be desired for your signage. A partnership means you work together to achieve success. 

Let's explore how to get the most out of this valuable partnership. You can also see the ebook for more information or to start building a partnership with The Sign Center.

Trend Setters and Thought Leaders
A thought leaders is someone you turn to for the latest ideas in an industry. It's someone who keeps up with the latest news and ideas in a specific industry. The sign company you choose should be a thought leader in the sign industry. 

As you choose a partner, ask about the industry.

Read More

Topics: property managment signs, directory signs, wayfinding systems, facility managers

How to make your signage more useful and intuitive

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Apr 5, 2013 @ 02:39 PM

Have you ever seen a sign that needs a sign to explain it to a building's visitors? What about signs that serve no purpose or use to customers? Those signs aren't getting the job done for your facility if no one can understand what the sign indicates or knows why the sign is there in the first place. These signs also waste money in your sign budget.

All signs in a building or facility should be both useful and intuitive for customers, clients and visitors. If a sign doesn't achieve that basic mission, then don't waste your money on the sign. To make signs useful and intuitive, there are four key indicators to help you achieve this goal. 

1. Know Who Will See the Sign
Different audiences call for a different approach to signage. The signs customers and clients need to see vary greatly from those employees need to see. Carefully considering the sign's audience will help you understand what information the sign needs in order to be useful and intuitive to the viewer. This is also a good lens to view current signage in your facility to see if it needs updating. 

If you are unsure who sees what signs in your building, spend some time touring the facility. Spend time in different areas observing who visits that area, what signs already exist and how people react to and interpret signage. This "field data" can yield a lot of information to make signs more useful and intuitive for the people who see the sign regularly.

2. Make Signs Recognizable
Or in other words, make the sign visible. Intuitive and useful signs won't work if people can't see them. As you consider color, size and other sign attributes, keep in mind where the sign will eventually go in a building. Don't choose colors that will blend into the surrounding wall or sizes that are too small for a space. 

Once you have placed signs in your facility, ensure they don't get blocked by plants, doors, file cabinets or other obstructions. Signs no one can see are basically signs that aren't even there. 

3. Use Common Symbols
Creativity is great in some areas of business like marketing and advertising. Signage, though, is one place where you want to stick with what works. Intuitive and useful signs rely on common symbols and icons that customers, clients and visitors can easily recognize and interpret. These include common symbols for restrooms, stairs, disabled access, emergency exits and other commonly visited sites in and around facilities. 

4. Vary Signs for Audience
This "must" for useful and intuitive signs takes into account the different audiences who will visit your facility over the course of a business day. This includes:

Read More

Topics: architectural signage, property managment signs, wayfinding systems

5 step guide: How to get the most out of your signage budget

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Mar 29, 2013 @ 10:35 AM

Read More

Topics: lobby signs, branding, marketing, wayfinding systems, wayfinding signs

Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation: does your signage pass inspection?

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Aug 3, 2012 @ 01:32 PM

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care certifies ambulatory surgery centers in the United States. The AAAHC is always reviewing its standards and revising its standards, even adding new standards as they become required by the ever-changing health care field.

Whatever those standards are at any given time, your service center needs to meet them. Their surveyors include people from all walks of the health care field, including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, pharmacists, nurses and administrators. Based on how they decide, your institution is accredited for three years. However, if your center does not meet their standards, it will receive a deferral or denial of accreditation.

The AAAHC is all about meeting the highest-possible standards for patient care and safety. And so long as your organization meets the following criteria, it is ready for accreditation.

Read More

Topics: wayfinding systems, wayfinding signs, wayfinding signage systems, ada compliant signs

The Joint Commission - Does your hospital signage pass the inspection?

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Jul 27, 2012 @ 09:31 AM

Hospitals are the kind of businesses that don't have time to get bogged down in minutia and updates. When it comes to getting accredited and registered with the right agencies, you need to get it right the first time and not have to worry about it again.

Getting accredited by The Joint Commission is a big part of that process and it's not something you want to risk. Becoming one of the 19,000 health care organizations accredited by The Joint Commission means a lot to your hospital, it's staff and it's patients. 

The Joint Commission's stated mission to "To continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value".

Why is Joint Commission accreditation so important to your hospital?

Read More

Topics: wayfinding systems, ada, ada signage, hospital signage

Monument Signs, Entrance Signs, all you need to know

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Mar 23, 2012 @ 03:27 PM

One of the most effective ways to market your business is to have easily recognizable, attractive, and informative monument signs. Located outside your building, these signs (also called architectural signs or entrance signs) not only announce your location to potential customers, but also create brand awareness that will help bring in new clientele.

Monument signs come in many different sizes, shapes, and designs. They often reflect the architectural style of the building or shopping center they are associated with. They may advertise multiple businesses, or just one major business. The signs that include multiple names may be bigger that those that include just one name, though the size also depends on the company logos included, how far away the sign is from the building, and how visible it needs to be. Some monument signs are painted, while others have information carved into their surface, and still others include changeable panels. Lighting of some sort is often included as part of monument signage. It may be located in the surrounding landscaping, or built directly into the sign itself. One of the most unique aspects of monument signage is design that allows it to blend in with its location while still being visible to customers. It is made to match the design of its surrounding area so that it appears as part of the scenery instead of sticking out in a garish manner.

Read More

Topics: architectural signage, property managment signs, outdoor signage, wayfinding systems, monument signs

Lost in a building, entrance to a property doesn't have signage?

Posted by Gary Baron on Sun, Jan 22, 2012 @ 09:15 AM

Most people would like to think that they are fairly punctual people. We always try to arrive places on time or even early, especially if it’s an interview or meeting that may require some preliminary setup or paper work. Sometimes we can’t always beat the traffic that may cause us to be a little tardy. So when something does keep us from living up to our customary punctuality it is always helpful if the destination has clear building signs, room signs, lobby signs, wayfinding systems.

From the entrance to a property to parking signs to building signs, including lobby signs and room signs all have to be clear and visible.

Read More

Topics: lobby signs, directory signs, wayfinding systems, monument signs, wayfinding signs

Happy Holidays!!!

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 @ 02:31 PM

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Read More

Topics: architectural signage, branding, wayfinding systems, indoor signs, wayfinding signs, Americans With Disabilities Act signage, HubSpot Tips

Signs Can Help You Find Your Way When Entering a Hospital

Posted by Gary Baron on Thu, Dec 22, 2011 @ 09:50 AM


Have you ever experienced this common scenario? You are visiting someone at the hospital. You know their room number but you are unfamiliar with the building because you've never been there. The outside of the building is properly marked and you have found the parking garage with little to no problems. Once out of the car, you can't see any directional signs anywhere. You think to yourself this may just be a problem in the garage.

Read More

Topics: directory, lobby sign, wayfinding systems, indoor signs, wayfinding signs

Free Evaluation of Your Wayfinding Signage

Posted by Gary Baron on Fri, Jul 22, 2011 @ 02:21 PM

Do directory signs point to better customer service?  Good question.    If anyone answers no to it, they are dead wrong!

Read More

Topics: architectural signage, lobby signs, directory, wayfinding systems, office signs, indoor signs, wayfinding signs

Subscribe by Email

Free 5 Step Guide

What makes a good sign?

what makes a great sign

Vehicle Graphics Guide


five_tips_for_vehicle_wraps

 

Lobby Signs Guide

lobby_-signage_101

 

Carved signs Guide

carved_signs-free-tip-sheet

 

Most Popular Posts

Browse by Tag

see all