why I’m fascinated by signs

by Sarah

The importance given to signing has come a long way since I started out as a innocent young graduate working as a general designer for one of the country’s larger sign manufacturers back in 1989.

My first few years of “proper work” were varied; designing packaging, furniture layouts, price lists, a little bit of product design and the occasional sign…I also spent quite a while on the factory floor seeing how things were made and being sent out to get “sky hooks” or asked to wait outside for the delivery of “a long stand” !

An American sign magazine called Identity  used to land on my desk every couple of months (sadly no longer published).  I became fascinated by the design and originality of the signing schemes featured by people called “Environmental Graphic Designers”.  This in comparison to the institutional style stuff I witnessed in manufacture over here.  I’ve always maintained creative choice of shape, typeface and colours should nt necessarily add to the cost of a project.

read more about Sarah

Picto are not tied to any specific signing product or manufacturer — enabling us to select the most appropriate product on the market or creating a bespoke solution when required.

In this regular feature we take a look at some of our favourite signing products.

“seamless” stainless steel letters

Picto were asked if it was possible to provide 3D fabricated polished stainless steel letters, without the line of the edge of the letterface showing which is standard with this type of construction. We sourced a premium spec product, manufactured in the States, featuring a seamless letter edge. Other seamless finishes available include satin stainless steel, brass, copper and bronze toning.  3D forms can be as small as 50mm high x 6mm thick.

Featured project: Nigel Wright  Recruitment, Newcastle. 

In each issue of the Picto Quarterly we will
feature articles on topics relevant to good signing and tell you about more of our favourite signing products.

The next issue of the Picto Quarterly will be published later this summer.

The Picto Quarterly has been designed by onebestway