All Gender Restrooms Part II

A Sign Of Confusion

As Sign Makers we have never given a lot of thought to the signs that we make. We want to please our customers & provide them with the best version of their sign desires. Most the the signs we make are custom. That is, they are not signs that someone can go purchase off of the shelf at a big box store.

Sign images featured in the Nov.15, 2015  New York Times Article

Things Change

Along with the rest of the world, we have watched the metamorphosis of simple bathroom signs used to label the basic use of a public space turn into emotionally charged legal battles in many places. Thinking (at the time) that we were making the most acceptable version of the widely desired gender-neutral bathroom signs, last year we made the wheelchair, female, male pictorial signs with another figure wearing a divided skirt and pants for one of our customers.

Gender Neutral Signs

We have now come to learn (and let me stress the word learn) that those who identify as gender non-conforming, don't appreciate the reference to them as "half of a gender". I can understand that and it never would have occurred to me to think about the image in that way. I don't know who came up with that version of a gender-neutral restroom sign. It seems to change so quickly that it is hard to keep up. Especially, since there is no universally accepted version.

In an excellent article by Aimee Lee Ball in The New York Times, Aimee noted "that even when the intention is inclusivity, the reality is complicated. Strict plumbing codes or landmark status mean that businesses can't just change the signage and then be in compliance. Multiple codes regulate the requirements depending upon the type of building, the year it was built and occupancy." It also never occurred to me that code compliance would enter into this seemingly simple signage issue.

The Bottom Line

I know that many people have passionate opinions about how bathroom signs should stay the same or change to reflect the changes in our culture. I have always thought that it is hard to totally understand someone's position (no matter what the topic may be), unless you walk in their shoes and their experience. When needing the use of a restroom, I don't think that anyone should be forced to hold their bladder until they risk an infection, and I believe that everyone deserves to be safe..that hasn't changed for me.

So Which Image & Text Do We Put On The Sign?

All Gender?

We have now seen the text of Gender Neutral, Gender Inclusive, Gender Open, Unisex and All Gender. We have seen various pictorial images, the latest being a simple toilet. We have seen only text and text paired with image(s). 

We don't know the answer, nor do we wish to debate the argument, just know that Vital Signs is happy to provide you with whichever custom sign you need with any design that you want. All of our customers are important to us, no matter who you are.

Call Vital Signs Today For Your Sign & Graphics Needs!

(412) 494-3308

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Exhibit Professionalism

Make The Right Impression

Another day, another tradeshow. Same ol', same ol'. Well, not anymore! There was a time when a simple banner on a pull-up banner stand set up at a tradeshow was the norm for everyone. 

Times have changed within the graphics and signage industries. Along with those changes have come an explosion of cool, colorful and creative tradeshow exhibits.

Large  Extra Wide Banner Stand

You Decide..We'll Design, Print & Fabricate

There is no excuse for ordinary anymore. If you are going to put your product or business out there for the world to see, go big or go home. There are endless possibilities for your choices of tradeshow eye candy.

The important thing to remember, is that your tradeshow display is an investment into your business. People often forget that the initial front-end expense of a tradeshow exhibit (and they can be costly) can pay big dividends over time.

Fun, Table-top Banner Stand in Different Sizes

What Does Your Tradeshow Display Say About Your Business?

Your marketing collateral speaks volumes about your product or company. What kind of impression would your business card make if each time you handed it to someone, the name of the printer who provided the cards to you for free, was printed in the corner of each card?

Would it say that your company is a successful company? This is equally true of a cheaply made banner stand or shoddy tradeshow exhibit. You don't even have to be a sign professional to spot a flimsy banner stand that is likely to break after a few uses. The bottom line is that it sends the wrong message about you and your company.

Custom Stretch Table Throw

Do It Right Or Not At All

If you can only afford the cheapest banner stand you can find..just wait. Keep saving your marketing dollars until you can purchase the display that will best represent you and your company/product at it's best. Don't take a chance of making the first and lasting wrong impression.

Hanging Rectangle Display

Hanging Square Display

Tiered Ring Hanging Display

The Good News

The good news is that Vital Signs is here to walk you through the process of finding the tradeshow exhibit that will best represent you and your product/company. Our designers are ready to brainstorm the design possibilities with you.

Large Master Exhibit With Over-head Lighting

Customizing your display is what we do best. We were recently contacted by a customer who had an idea for a tradeshow display, but did not know if it could be done. After discussing the idea with our customer, our design team came up with a solution to create a one-of-a-kind color-change display.

This unique project has a remote-controlled color changer. The color, speed and mode of presentation (fade, constant, strobe, etc.) are easily changeable. Vital Signs created an acrylic box with stand-off clips attached to the box to hold the 3 individual signs. This double-sided display can function as part of a tradeshow exhibit, be used on a surface (when not at the tradeshow) or can easily be hung, if the customer chooses.

We think that this project turned our great and so did our customer!

Let Vital Signs Help Design Your Tradeshow Exhibit!

One More Thing...

Don't forget to sign up for Vital Signs quarterly Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! This quarter we are giving away ...OOP.S..gotta go to our homepage & click on the treasure chest to find out (and submit your entry)! Enter Daily.

Call (412) 494-3308 to brainstorm your Tradeshow Needs!

Custom Wallpaper..Yes We Can!

Did You Know

There was an interesting movie created in Pittsburgh awhile back, called: Perks of Being A Wallflower. It definitely had/has an intriguing name. I don't want to brag by mentioning that I made my star debut in the movie, by playing an enthusiastic spec in the football crowd. But, I did in fact play a very convincing seat warmer on the bleachers of the Peters Township football field. I never actually saw the movie after it came out. At some future date however, I do intend to enjoy the teenage angst of it all.

Wallflower ~ Wallpaper..What Eva

So what made me think about that movie name? I found myself thinking about the fact that Vital Signs offers custom wallpaper. So the "Perks Of Custom Wallpaper" can feature your own creative, custom design.

Have you ever had a specific room or wall in which you wanted a very specific look but could not quite put your finger on it. Or perhaps you know exactly what the look is. You saw it somewhere?? Hmm. Was it a magazine, was it showroom vignette in a furniture store. You can't remember where you saw it, but it was really cool. If only you could re-create it right?! We can help!

Where To Start

Vital Signs has access to a very extensive collection of art files that you may choose from or our designers are here to help you create that one-of-a-kind design.

We recently created some custom wallpaper/art work for one of our customers. The Bruceton Grill called for that unique Pittsburgh "hometown" touch. We were given art files that were specifically created for our customer by a caricature artist.

The Vital Signs design team can easily work with outside designers to create your wallpaper. Not only that, we actually have a few different medias for consideration. A traditional wall covering (requiring a pasted application) is one option. Or we can provide a media that is easily applied to the wall & smoothed out onto the surface (no messy hands or fumes involved). This media offers a light tack adhesion, and can be easily applied and removed.

One Of A Kind!

Whether you are looking for a custom wallpaper for a business environment or your residential space, Vital Signs can accommodate your project. No more sitting for hours looking through wallpaper sample books...design it yourself. 

Call Us Today (412) 494-3308

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Quarterly GIVEAWAY..we just added a new prize!!

Visit our Homepage & Click On The Treasure Chest To Sign Up!

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