Sign Process - Maritime Autowash

Let's take a look at a few of the steps involved in making an illuminted sign cabinet:


Custom shaped face-frame is fabricated out of welded square aluminum tube.


The cabinet is fabricated aluminum, over 10 ft x 10ft in size.


Measuring and positioning the graphics on the frame. The graphic was printed on white vinyl banner material. To prevent it from looking washed out, the image was printed flipped on the other side. This way, when the fluorescent llights are on, the colors will still appear bright and vibrant.


Stretching the digital print onto the frame.





Meanwhile... the cabinet is painted and left to dry.


These are the molding pieces that will hold the sign faces in place.


Fast forward: the sign is assembled (with fluorescent lights already in place) and ready for installation.

Hair Salon Awning

This charming little awning for the 1201 Salon in Washington, DC is currently in the shop, almost finished and waiting installation. Its unusual shape with lots of curves made it a challenge to staple the Sunbrella material to the frame.

It reminds me of a beauty salon dryer...

Paint colors to the rescue

In my experience as an environmental graphic designer I've run into the following problem quite often: a customer specifies a paint color and I don't have the corresponding fan to even imagine what the color looks like. How can I suggest colors for the signage if I'm not sure what the walls look like? Thanks to the folks at colorcharts.org that's not a problem any more.

I have a feeling that the site is primarily designed for people who want to digitally "try" different paint colors for their homes and have to purchase and download the software, but I use it to type the paint color I need, then sample the resulting color and use in my program.

Check out this great collection: http://www.colorcharts.org/

Happy New Year!

After a busy holiday season everybody's back in business and we're ready for the new challenges of 2008. Some exciting new projects are under way, one of them being the Shops at Wiregrass in Florida. The design of the signage is quite unique and will require some serious fabrication magic!