Giving your signage design that wow factor involves more than opting for an extra-large format or having it printed in – heaven forbid –fluorescent ink. In the world of signage, simple does it best – albeit with a creative twist. This article lines up four tried-and-tested tips to make your signage stand out for all the right reasons.
1. It’s not always hip to be square (or rectangular)
With all the great cutting tables and advanced nesting software out there today, there is no excuse not to think out of the box when it comes to the shape of your sign. So, don’t hesitate to discuss the possibilities with your printer to get inspired and take things from there.
2. Stick to the golden rule of composition
The most eye-catching signs that include a visual have one thing in common: their graphics are composed in such a way that they draw the eye from the upper left corner of the sign to the bottom right corner.
- Good to know: in countries with right-to-left writing systems, consumers observe images starting from the upper right corner and ending in the lower left corner.
3. Use negative space to the fullest
Don’t be tempted to fill in every blank space you come across, as no consumer bothers reading a sign that looks overly busy or chaotic. The ultimate challenge of designing outstanding signage is, after all, finding that delicate balance between simplicity and complexity.
4. Steer away from frilly fonts
Speaking of simplicity, fancy fonts can seriously compromise the legibility of your sign – as does mixing more than two fonts. If you’re not quite sure whether you’re making the right choice, ask for a second (or third, fourth, …) opinion.
Orginally published on www.largeformatinnovation.com