Experiential Graphics.. It's A Thing!

Larger Than Life Impact

Experiential Graphics: 

The act of being surrounded and immersed in graphics that tell a story. Branding and advertising has always been about selling a product or service to consumers. But now more than ever, advertisers are beginning to understand the importance of interactive storytelling and forming long-term connections with their customers through those graphic stories.

The marketing approach is no longer focused on just product-plus branding anymore. The focus is on every customer touch point--from the first ad that is seen, through the use/consumption of the product/service. The use of experiential graphics should engage customers in a memorable way that will form long-term connections and thus, brand loyalty.

How Is It Achieved?

There are a variety of ways that any business can offer a total immersion experience to their customers, such as:

Coming Soon: New Lego Bar In Pittsburgh - Bricksburgh 

Lego Fare Offered: Lego Shaped Mugs & Burgers With Brick Shaped Buns

Harry Potter Themed Restaurant

Pop-Up Retail/Restaurant Spaces: One of the newer trends in many communities are temporary shops, bars, salons and restaurants. Many, with the intention of offering a temporary business product/service, offer spaces with a very specifically designed theme. These designs can include floor graphics; environmental graphics; wall murals (images & fabric applications); window graphics; life-sized stand-ups; POP; danglers from the ceiling, etc.

Typical Pediatrician Office With Custom Art Created By Children

A Children's Hospital Total Immersion Design

Digitized Hand-Drawn/Large Format Art: 

Rapidly expanding in popularity, many businesses are customizing their design space to attract their target market. For instance, children's hospitals everywhere are designing their environments to make their young patients feel comfortable and safe. Some artwork used are custom, hand-drawn images which have been enlarged to cover walls. While other spaces may utilize easily purchased usable large art files of subject-specific images.

Interactive Graphics:

Another popular and growing trend with experiential graphics is using interactive graphics displays. That is, wall murals, artwork and custom displays can include opportunities for customers to physically interact with the display in some way (share messages; sign, draw, turn dials, or in the case below, visit the Marine Museum at Quantico and experience the feeling of arriving as a new Marine..standing on the yellow footprints & being yelled at as a new recruit.

It doesn't Get Any Better Than This Experience!

Fun, Interactive Display

Advertising Wraps:

Advertising Wraps are not just for cars! This is especially true when considering a total immersion experience. Whether it's a wall wrap; a furniture wrap, a floor/ceiling or object wrap, the possibilities are endless. Trying to add some quaint, brick charm to a room? Wrap the walls with a true (vinyl or fabric applied) textured look.

Contour Cut Signage And Dimensional Letters:

Unique & Cool Sign Design

There will always be a place for dimensional letters and contour cut signage in experiential graphics and design. Having 3D signage will always attract attention, particularly with the proper lighting, color and design of the signage.

POP Displays:

Point-of-purchase displays add attention-getting visual interest to most product/service settings. POP displays are becoming much more creative, fun and effective in their designs.

An Inviting Bart Simpson Display in a Supermarket

Industries Utilizing Experiential Graphics/Branding:

• Airports
• Casinos
• Entertainment/Hospitality Venues
• Hallways
• Hotels
• Landmarks
• Large Meeting Rooms
• Museums
• Office Space
• Public Gathering Areas
• Restaurants
• Retail Spaces
• Shopping Malls
• Sports Venues

Time To Evaluate

Is your brand offering a storytelling and memorable experience to your customers and potential customers? Does the coolness of the interior design of your business/brand scream out for anyone who visits to take a selfie? Obviously, some types of businesses are perfect for the total immersion brand experience. But there is always room for improvement. Take a look around your physical space and online presence. Could it be improved? Need a brand refresher?? Call Vital Signs TODAY!

We are happy to work with you in developing your brand presence in a more visual way. Fortunately for you, Vital Signs designs and produces most of the design ideas listed above. Now that you know Experiential Graphics and branding is the 2019 trend, let the Vital Signs design team help you to do a little brand-standing!!

Vital Signs (412) 494-3308

www.vitalsignspgh.com

Sandwich Sign.. Anyone?

In Your Face Advertising

Current Specials Happening

Most people have seen them. I am talking about Sandwich Signs aka A Frame Signs. Every day in any city or country, A Frame signs dot the sidewalks or open spaces in front of restaurants, cafes and other types of businesses. An A Frame/Sandwich Sign can be simple, rustic or fancy in their design but always have a specific advertising purpose.

Daily Specials

Trivia Night

Many businesses choose to use a sidewalk sign to advertise their daily specials or happy hours. Placing an A Frame on the sidewalk or space in front of one's business is marketing to a very specific group of people. Typically these signs market to sidewalk pedestrian traffic or others who might be driving by. Utilizing sidewalk signs to market is a great way to capture the potential customer(s) walking by who had not planned on visiting the business, but happened to see a delicious picture of the lunch special and decided to go in for lunch. 

Fun Scooby Sign...Cleaver!

Big Bang For Your Sign Marketing Bucks

Who Can Resist This Image?

A Frame signs now come in a variety of sizes and are made from different materials (wood, pvc). Of course A Frames/Sidewalk Signs are used for non-branding purposes, including wayfinding or perhaps a temporary message (wet floors), etc. They can be of a lightweight design for easy storing when not in use. A Frames can also be fabricated from heavy-duty plastic which can be weighted down with sand, sandbags or water to keep the sign stationary for longer periods of time.

Design Aesthetic

Event Signage

While there may be many A Frame sign types to choose from, some savvy restauranteurs know the value of using an attractive wooden A Frame sign. Creatively written menus on a chalk surface can add charm & whimsy to a one-of-a-kind eatery.

Simple, But Upscale

Have We Got A Sign For You!

Current Event Signage

Want to capitalize on all of the storefront foot traffic in front of your business? We can help! Please give us a call to discuss the best A Frame options for your business!

Call Vital Signs TODAY!

(412) 494-3308

The Sky's The Limit..Really!!

When Ceilings Become Part Of The Design Esthetic

The Ceiling Is The Focal Point Of These Wall Treatments

I enjoy reading our sign and graphics trade publications because they keep me informed of design trends. Having the knowledge of design trends in turn, helps us in working with customers. One of the most recent design trends I read about within the wallpaper arena, is covering the ceiling with wallpaper. As I looked around online, I found some very cool examples of these ceiling wallpaper applications. Vital Signs did not produce or install the following examples, but we certainly have the capacity to, we just need that first, bold customer or designer who wants to make a statement!

A Variety Of Medias To Choose From

An Attractive Wood-Look Ceiling Application

One of the very best things I like about this wallpaper ceiling idea is that Vital Signs has a variety of suitable medias that we can choose from to make custom wallpaper. With the explosion of printable medias, using the most appropriate type of media for the space/surface is easy to determine.

Total Design Immersion

Types Of Media

Surface Appropriate: Depending upon the surface to be covered, Vital Signs' offers medias which will work on a textured, uneven or flat surface.

Making A Bold Design Statement

Media Material: There are always questions to be answered before choosing the specific media for printing and applying. For instance, how long do you desire the wallcovering/ceiling covering to stay applied to the surface? We now have media which is used for short term periods of time. Concerned about glue on your wall? We have a thin, fabric media which is a peel & stick product.

The Ease Of Peel And Stick Fabric Media

Traditional Wallpaper: For those who prefer traditional wallpaper, Vital Signs has that as well. Our wallpaper media is not made to be adhesive-backed and does require wallpaper glue. But rest assured, we can create a one-of-a-kind design on your custom wallpaper!

Just The Right Subtle, Yet Monochromatic Touch

Finish: Matte or shiny, we've got you covered.

For All Of The Dolphin-Loving Folks!

There really are more choices than ever if you truly want a custom space. Not sure about what design you want? Give us a call. Our design team is very skilled at considering ALL of the design details.

We're Waiting For Your Call!

(412) 494-3308 

www.vitalsignspgh.com

Vital Signs..Scratching The Surface!

Yes, We Engrave!

Did you know that Vital Signs offers engraving? A number of years ago, Vital Signs added a rotary engraver to our variety of signage and graphic offerings. From utilitarian to decorative designs, we can provide you with a variety of engraved signs.

Like What?

Specifically, we can produce:

• ADA-compliant Braille signs
• Decorative Engraved Gifts
• Nameplates
• ID Tags
• Door Signs
• Gun Plates
• Plaques
• Stamps
• Technical Plates
• Room Signs
• Elevator Signs
• No Smoking Signs
• Emergency Signs
• And the list goes on....

Advantages Of Using A Rotary Engraver

There are advantages to using a rotary engraver. One advantage is the ability to engrave with depth into plastic and metal sign plates. Also, rotary engravers are great for producing ADA signs, in addition to engraved decorations, trophy plates and awards.

What Is The Difference Between A Rotary Engraver & A Laser Engraver?

A rotary-type engraver (i.e. one with a spindle & cutting bits) can be less expensive than laser-based engravers, but capably performs many engraving tasks. A laser engraver may offer more material versatility. For example, a laser system can engrave on standard substrates, plus synthetic leather, wood or such soft substances as bar soap or chocolates. Other laser machines will engrave on steel and many other metals. No matter which type of engraving you require, Vital Signs can help!

Who Needs Engraved Signs?

Well..lots of folks. Engraved signs are commonly used by:

• Hospitals
• Public Buildings
• Hotels
• Industrial Businesses
• Any business or organization who requires directional & instructional signage
• Businesses who need to mark their equipment or electrical control panels
• Cockpit Instrumentation Panels and more...

Are You In Compliance With All Of Your ADA/Engraved Signs?

Need assistance in ensuring your company's compliance with all ADA-required signage? Vital Signs is happy to provide a no-cost review of your facility to ensure that your signs are ADA design-compliant and placed by required specifications (specific rooms; wall locations and heights).

Call Vital Signs TODAY to make an appointment!

(412) 494-3308 or info@vitalsignspgh.com

New Year, New Review

Sign Review...That Is

Okay, at the risk of repeating myself (or re-posting a previously posted blog post..hint hint..), I am going to address the same topic, with almost the exact same wording I used before. Why, you ask? Because it is a new year and still applies. I will say again that a new year is typically the time when we make personal New Year's Resolutions with the best of intentions. Many of those resolutions are personal ones about the way we look, our size, how we function in our daily lives, etc.

We want to look our best, be healthy and function in a way that is positive and productive. And when you think about your business signs and visual branding, those attributes still apply. It is easy in the day-to-day business operations, to forget about the visual identity of our businesses. For many, signage and branding was a one-time 'must do' and then it hasn't been thought about much since. 

If you are not in the annual habit of reviewing your signage and visual branding, you should be. In today's advertising and media driven climate, every business should be maximizing every advertising opportunity at their disposal (within the bounds of your business budget of course). Signage and visual branding is a relatively economical way to get a large return on your investment.

So what should be included with an annual signage review?

1. Condition: What shape is/are your sign(s) in? Are they in poor condition and in need of repair? Do they have vinyl peeling or appear weathered and worn?

2. Impression: What type of impression does your sign(s) leave with viewers? Does it have instant impact? Is the design attractive or outdated? Is the sign(s) presenting your business at it's best? Does your signage grab a viewer's attention with a bold design? What they say about first impressions is true..even with signage.

3. Functionality: Is your sign bringing you business? Does your signage work for you 24/7?

4. Location: Is your signage placed in the most strategic location(s) of your business? Is there another location that would provide more viewer exposure or an additional location in which you could add more signage?

5. Material: Are you using the best material(s) for your signage? For instance, perhaps you have an old wooden post & panel sign when you could be using a newer, more attractive and eco-friendly sign system. Is your sign(s) lit to advertise your business at night?

Never Underestimate The Importance Of Your Signs...

Signs are absolutely critical to your bottom line and the healthy operation of your cash flow. Sub-par signs can serve to function like a slow leak of profitability. Of course your signage and visual graphics don't  need to be replaced every year, but one should definitely do an annual review to ensure that your business signs and graphics are serving the business in the highest manner possible. Not only that, how else will you find out about the cool, new media and products Vital Signs is serving up. We are always monitoring new products and trends in the visual branding arena and appreciate the opportunity to bring them to our customers. 

Do you need assistance in doing your signage review? Vital Signs is happy to help. We would be happy to come to your local location and help assist in the review of your business signage. Just give us a call!

(412) 494-3308

The staff at Vital Signs would like to wish all of you a very happy new year! May you all be surrounded by friends, family, pets and those things which make you the happiest! 

Here's to a wonderful 2019!🎉