What’s In a Sign? Top Business Sign Design Tips

Have you ever had this happen to you? You’re driving down a road you’ve driven a thousand times and all of a sudden, you see it. An eye-catching sign on a business you’ve never seen before. 

What was it about that sign that made it stand out among all the others that fade into the background? Why did that one pique your interest? 

It’s no coincidence. When a sign has the powerful ability to catch your attention, it is because there are specific components that are all coming together in just the right way. 

When it comes to designing signs that demand to be noticed, from effective exterior signs that lure you in, to welcoming lobby signs that guide the way, there is an art and a science to it. Here are some tips for creating your eye-catching business signage.

1. Stay True to Your Brand

Before you start getting inspiration for your sign by spinning through the color wheel or browsing through fonts, your first design cues should be taken directly from your brand.

Your sign is a long-term investment that will be outside of your business for years to come. It will serve as some clients’ first-ever exposure to your company, and they should get a feel for your brand as soon as they see it.

It may be easy to get distracted by trendy colors and flashy font treatments, however, if it doesn’t fit your brand, then it won’t work for your sign.

Let’s look at a law firm, as an example. A business like this needs to convey knowledge, wisdom, and professionalism. A crazy-colored sign with a casual font would be incongruent with their brand promise and has the potential to scare clients away. 

When you consider the message you would like to send to your clients, keep your brand close in sight and make selections that support your vision and brand. 

2. Consider Color

Color psychology is the science behind color selection and can be a determining factor in a client buying your product or service–or not.

Colors have different subliminal meanings that affect a customer’s perception of you, whether they know it or not. So, you’ll want to choose these colors very carefully. 

Do a bit of research behind the meaning of the colors you’re choosing and pick the right ones that support your brand. For instance, the color yellow can imply optimism and clarity, but it can also signify a warning, as it is commonly used on traffic signs. 

And just because one color signifies the message you’re trying to send, doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with various shades of it. For instance, you could try bright variations of your colors for an eye-catching quality that will stick out from the colors of everyday life.

Playing around with different shades of your color may also help set the tone for your customers after they walk through your doors, as well. When you continue your color choices through to your lobby signs, your visitors will understand your vibe and brand from the moment they lay eyes on it.

3. Create Contrast

Selecting your colors is just one step in the design process. Next, you want to ensure that your carefully-chosen hues are poised for maximum visibility and won’t put your message at risk of going unseen. 

Colors with high contrast offer differentiation that can make colors look more vibrant and easier to view and understand.  

Color blindness factors should also be taken into consideration, since some clients may not be able to distinguish between certain color combinations. For example, red-green color blindness prevents those that have it from being able to separate the two colors. 

Whether you’re designing exterior signs, window graphics, interior signs, event signage, or vehicle signage, be aware of which colors to use and which ones to avoid to make sure your viewers can read every word of your message. 

4. Limit Your Words

Try to explain your service and how it differs from the others in as few words as possible. Now, try to condense it down again. 

The words on your signage should be as minimal as they can be to make sure your sign gets your point across quickly. 

Consider this. If you have an office on the side of a road, you want your sign to catch the eye of any driver that goes by it. However, if your sign is too wordy, the chances of someone who is driving past it at 40+ miles per hour will quickly diminish. If they can’t catch your full message in one drive-by, your opportunity to grab their attention is gone. 

5. Set the Tone With Lobby Signs

When you are choosing your signs for your company signage program, don’t overlook the effectiveness of well-placed lobby signs. High-quality lobby signs not only point your clients in the right direction, but they also set the tone for your business, from the very first glance when your customers come through your doors. 

Lobby signs are crucial from a wayfinding perspective because they direct business to the exact departments or companies within your building as quickly as possible. This will limit frustration and help make your visitors’ experience welcoming and positive, right off the bat. Of course, lobby signs are also effective tools for mapping out your premises and pointing visitors to the most commonly visited areas, including conference rooms, offices, restrooms, and more. 

A good lobby signage program will also reinforce your brand strength not only through your imaging, color, and font selections but by bringing awareness to the various divisions of your business or other reputable companies in your building. 

Place Time and Effort into Your Business Sign Design

Now that you’ve seen all the essential qualities that factor into a successful business sign design, it’s time to design yours with experts in the business.

Starfish Signs and Graphics will help your business maximize your lobby signs, exterior signs, car signs, window graphics, and so much more!

To learn how you can help your brand stand out even more, read this helpful article about illuminated signs

For more inquiries, please reach out to our team of expert sign designers, and we’ll be happy to assist you further.