Pittsburgh Coolest Offices

I'd Like To Thank....

A few months back I noticed a contest in the Pittsburgh Business Times. Now being the contest-lover that I am, it called to me. The contest was open to Pittsburgh businesses to submit a handful of pictures of their workspace and explain why it was one of the coolest office spaces in Pittsburgh. Now little did I know that over 100 businesses would submit their totally cool offices as well. Nor did I realize that every one of those businesses would be featured by the Pittsburgh Business Times in the coming weeks as one of the 'coolest offices in Pittsburgh' (or at least this is my suspicion). Smart Pittsburgh Business Times...don't upset anyone and make them all feel like winners. 

Coolness (aka Garage Wraps) For The Outside of Your Building

I Bit...

Yes, like a big fish on a tiny pole, I bit. I excitedly gushed to everyone in the office that we were going to be featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times, because the "tweet" said so. Of course I re-tweeted, favored that tweet and even shared the coveted title through email. Of course you can understand why I felt as if someone had just handed me a big trophy with our Vital Signs name lit in big, bold neon lights. I mean afterall, we do design and produce incredibly cool things here every day, as well as being encircled by them.

Work Is A Roller Coaster Ride at Vital Signs

Surrounded By Edgy Coolness..

I have to admit (with no qualms about it) there were some fabulous entries. There were fun rooms with games; sleek rooms oozing modern vibes; edgy spaces designed to fit their company's personas, uber cool furniture, eco-elegance and more. A couple of them even made me second-guess my decision to enter they were so breath-taking. But what was so neat about all of them, was that each company created a space in which their employees would feel comfortable spending their working hours and days. And that's the coolest thing of all to me.

Some People Work In A Zoo...Not Us

Employee Motivation

There have been numerous studies done by many credentialed folks to let everyone know that employees are much more positive and productive when they feel comfortable in their space, whether that is personalizing one's individual space or the entire work environment. 

And should you need to add more style to your office (or residence), you too can have ultra coolness with Vital Signs' help. Whether your space is serious and sleek or crazy cool and over-the-top, we can help to execute your vision. What does that mean you ask? It means that we don't just make signs..we make a large variety of custom graphics and art pieces, such as: Prints on canvas; Wallscapes; Wall Wraps; Floor graphics; Elevator Wraps, Custom Wallpaper, etc. And making creative projects to exhibit your brand or style are what we do best.

Take A Bow

So a big CONGRATULATIONS  to all of our co-cool companies on sharing this fun honor. I'm waving our Terrible Towel for all of you!

To Coolify Your Office, call Vital Signs 

(412) 494-3308

A Monumental Choice

What Is A Monument Sign Anyway?

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Monument Signs are typically large freestanding exterior signs. They are sometimes mounted on a base. Monument Signs can be fabricated from a variety of different materials, such as: concrete, brick, wood, wood composites; foam, stone, metal, aluminum, glass and more.

Monument Signs can also include different sources of lighting (internally lit, backlit, or indirectly lit).

Warrendale Village

Monument Sign Locations

There are a variety of settings in which a monument sign works well, such as:

* Commercial and Residential Entrances

* Parks

* Churches

* Shopping Centers

* Farms

* Ranches

* Cemeteries

* Hospitals

* Schools

Flabeg

Alive or Not?

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

That is, to add an LED Message Center or not, that is the question? It depends. The type of Monument and budget will dictate whether an active LED center is called for. Locations that have changeable information; announcements and invitations, may wish to utilize this popular method of getting their word out to the general public & traffic around their location.  While an LED message center will admittedly increase the cost of an already costly sign, a monument sign is always an investment that pays off over the life of the sign. 

Our Signs Sell Your Business

When comparing the cost of a Monument Sign which includes a message center, it is necessary to consider the traffic costs per view over the long term. LED center or not, a monument sign is typically large enough to command attention from anyone passing by. And clearly, the design of the sign can go a long way in presenting the type of image the purchaser wishes to exhibit.

If you are considering the possibility of adding a monument sign to your business or residence, please give Vital Signs a call. Our design team can help you to discuss  product/material considerations; design and other information that can assist in making your monument sign everything you need and want it to be.

Call Vital Signs to schedule your FREE sign consultation.

(412) 494-3308

info@vitalsignspgh.com

What's Your Sign ROI?

Maybe The Question Should Be...

Maybe the question to be asked is, did you know that signs are an investment into your business and your brand? As a company who works daily with new and established businesses, we are still surprised at the lack of planning we see when it comes to the process of obtaining signage.

We frequently speak with folks who totally forget to consider their signage in the planning (both pre-design & budget) phase of their business start-up. Almost as bad, are the companies (large and small) who purchased signage as a necessary evil, did not consider the establishment and building of their brand when in the initial designing phase of creating their signs, nor at any time after their installation.

The importance of having marketing for your business includes the creative use of signage as part of that big picture. Signs project not just the name of your business, they can also project: The voice/feel of your brand; your company culture; the type(s) of product or service you sell, etc. The appearance of your sign(s) is a direct reflection of your business.

GOOGLE...Does It Right!

Fun and Colorful Logos

Consider the example of Google. What do you think when you see a Google Logo/Sign? Big fun color, Right! Their brand is fun. the Google Search Engine Logo always has a new and interesting logo change that makes us smile; the Google workplace is so comfortable, colorful and inviting, that it makes employees at other businesses jealous. Google's signs and their company brand sends the message of fun, valuing their employees and not taking themselves too seriously. Clearly, the folks at Google understand the ROI on their signage, logo & brand and should be an example to all of us about how to enhance our brand to it's fullest potential.

Contemporary Use of Logo by Direct Application To The Brick

Who Wouldn't Want To Work Here

Now more than ever, the graphics and signage industry has given us a huge variety of media and materials in which to produce cutting edge signs and graphics options. In other words, you don't have to settle for "ordinary". At Vital Signs, we enjoy the opportunity to put our knowledge of those cool materials and medias to work in producing the best sign presentation of our customer's brands.

Do Your Own Marketing Research

So how can you figure out your Sign ROI? Do your own market research. Look around when you are out and about. Pay attention to the signs that surround you. Look at a sign & ask yourself if it represents a business that would attract you. Does the sign look professional and in good condition?

Does the sign give you an idea about what the business does? What does a shabby, broken or degraded sign say to you? What does your sign say to others? Is it ho-hum? Does it represent your company and brand at it's most impressive presentation? Does your sign enhance all of your other marketing collateral?

Your sign will work for you...if you let it. It is the only part of your marketing strategy that will work for you 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. Most other marketing efforts cannot say that. Your signs are worth making the financial investment and time to ensure a continuing ROI to your business.

Vital Signs specializes in getting brands noticed. Let our design team work with you to produce a sign(s) that is sure to produce a positive return on your investment.

Call Today for a FREE design consultation!

(412) 494-3308

Etched Glass Design At It's Best

For An Upscale Look

There are very few of us who aren't impressed when we see an "etched glass" design on anything. Let's face it, etched glass designs look cool and upscale. So how can you get that same upscale etched glass look without the glass?

The same effect can be had by using frosted vinyl for your application. That is, Vital Signs uses a frosted vinyl application that gives the appearance of etched glass. Whether you are trying to achieve privacy, or are just looking for an attractive design, frosted vinyl is the perfect answer.

Frosted vinyl comes with either a matte finish or a frosted vinyl which has a sparkle effect when the sun hits it. Both are excellent choices to achieve the etched glass look. 

Not Just For Commercial Applications

As a room divider & decoration in the workplace

As A Pittsburgh City-Scape Window Accent

Frosted Vinyl on Residential Window

(412) 494-3308

These applications can be used in the commercial work space or in a residence. Some businesses use frosted vinyl as a room divider. Other businesses used frosted glass in the design of their business name or advertising. Frosted vinyl can enhance an ordinary window or mirror in the home also. One of the benefits of using frosted vinyl applications is the ability to have a design which still lets a lot of light through. Frosted vinyl is an economical choice with big design impact!

Please call  Vital Signs to help you with a frosted vinyl (aka etched glass) design TODAY!

First Impressions Matter!

What Kind Of Impression Do Your Signs Make?

Whether we like it or not, we all develop "first impressions" about lots of things, people and places. On the one hand we are taught not to judge, and on the other hand, first impressions help our thought processes and decision-making.

Let's be honest here, we all do it...which brings me to some questions. What kind of first impression(s) run through your mind when you see a shoddy, worn-out sign? Are you annoyed if a wayfinding sign doesn't show you the way? Or what about a business sign(s)? The letters are faded, the logo is tired and the message is uninspired. Is the business or store that supports this sign motivating you to go in to conduct business? 

If you had an identical menu being offered by two restaurants right next to each other, and one had a bright, fresh, colorful sign and the other featured a peeling and weathered sign,which one would influence your selection? What kind of message (first impression) went through your mind when you looked at the sad, shabby sign?

The truth is that consumers are influenced by the marketing and branding presentation that they see. The process of making first impressions happens so quickly and unconsciously, that we don't even realize how much our purchasing behavior is influenced.

How Often Do You Evaluate Your Sign(s)?

If you are a business owner, how often do you evaluate your signage? Are you guilty of installing your signs and then giving them very little thought afterward? Your signs can have a direct correlation to the amount of business you conduct each day. Think about a sign(s) that you passed which immediately made you smile or elicited  a "Wow, that is really cool sign" response. If you can still recall that sign(s), then that business owner left a positive and lasting first impression with you.

What Is A Customer Worth To You?

As business owners, we should all strive to ensure that we are putting our best marketing foot forward. That means featuring an attractive invitation to do business in the form of our business signs. The investment to create or freshen up your sign(s) is a small price to pay when considering the cost of attracting & growing your customer database.

Vital Signs can help to evaluate your signs for any possible rescues or face-lifts which may be needed. For instance, channel letters (the large letters that light up at night on a business) can be manufactured to look one color during the day, and a different color at night. Or maybe just highlighting certain parts of your sign(s) with a high intensity vinyl which sparkles or has a 3D effect. Perhaps you would like to put some brightly colored company branding in your large storefront windows, but still need to see out the windows...Vital Signs has you covered. Exploding in popularity, perforated vinyl is an easy way to grab attention without obscuring the view outside.

We Create Effective First Impressions For Your Business!

It's really pretty easy to ensure that your business sign(s) create a great first and lasting impression, and Vital Signs knows how to make those impressions happen! To make sure that your signs are working for you around the clock....

Call Vital Signs Today! (412) 494-3308