How To Design A Sign: What Is Your Signs Core Purpose?

Is Your Signage Missing These Critical Components That Grab Customers Off The Street?

Do you really know why some custom signs get your attention while others remain almost invisible? How much business will you continue to lose if your signage fails to get noticed or spark consumer interest? Not knowing these simple, yet profoundly important principles may very well be costing you more ongoing business than you realize.

You are about to discover the secrets of sign design and how you can use them to dramatically enhance the effectiveness of your new custom signs, banners, vehicle graphics and more.

Where's The Best Place To Start?

A great design starts with the right plan. And with the help of this guide, you'll quickly glide through the process in a matter of minutes with a greater sense of clarity and purpose than ever before.

So let's get you started out on the right foot with the main secret of designing a sign.

What Is The Core Purpose Of Your New Signage?

Simple question, right? But once you come up with your answer, your sign’s objective will be brought into razor-sharp focus. And with a focused objective in mind, your message will be even more effective.

Businesses, government, hospitals, schools, charities, and churches all have a variety of needs for signage. While a private business may need new signs with the specific purpose in mind of attracting new customers, a school may want a bright, colorful banner for their soccer team. Needs and goals vary widely.

These key questions will help you focus on your own goals and objectives:

• Whose Attention Are You Trying To Attract? Is your message aimed at potential customers, existing clients, employees, visitors, students, members, residents, patients, guests, suppliers, investors, shoppers or passing motorists?
• What Is The Primary Purpose Of Your New Signage? To Advertise? Identify? Sell? Warn? Inform? Inspire? Direct? Or Impress?
• What Do You Want Your Sign To Do For You? Does your sign need to be eye-catching to attract new customers off the street? Are you having a special promotion, event or seasonal sale?Do you want to design a sign to impress your clients with a professional, high-end corporate appearance? Are you meeting government regulatory requirements for certain types of signage? For example, "Fire Exit", "Pool Safety Rules", etc. Do you need to identify your building with signage to make it easier for people to find you? Do you want to create greater name recognition and exposure in your local market? Are you trying to make people aware of a cause that is important to your organization? Do you want to prompt impulse purchases? Are you trying to protect people from accidents? Do you need directional signs for visitors? Does the sign need to inform or educate readers? Is the sign needed to help prevent injuries and reduce liability?

If you were to write out the objectives for your new signage, it might look something like this:

• Target Audience-Potential customers driving by in front of our store
• Core Purpose-To attract their attention and create interest in our products
• Secondary Goal-Design a sign to brand our business with a distinctive appearance that will make us stand out from our competitors and neighboring businesses.

With your core purpose in mind, determining what you want to say on your signs becomes a bit easier.