Signs for Success: Tips for Designing Custom Metal Signs
There are a lot of factors that go into custom metal sign creation. The great thing about ShieldCo is that we'll work with you to create the metal sign of your dreams. Personalized signs make a perfect gift for the home or office, or they can be used to create advertising for your business. Depending on what your sign will be used for means incorporating different styles and design elements. Older styles can add a bit of vintage charm, while a newer design method can look sleek.
The use of space, color, and different fonts all make a difference in the message you might be trying to communicate. So, if you're looking to get the best possible outcome out of your ShieldCo custom metal sign, here are some design tips to get you started.
Who Is the Audience?
Understanding your audience is the first thing you should consider before jumping into making a custom metal sign. "Where will the sign go?" is an important question: Do you want clients walking into your office to see it? Do you want customers on the street to walk in after seeing it? Or is the metal sign simply decorative for the home?
Certain graphics and design elements work differently for different needs. For example, if your custom metal sign is for a bar that you run, different colors, inclusion of lights, and more stylized elements make sense. But if your sign is part of a professional office space like a lawyer's office or architect, you would opt for a bold and more professional style.
If your custom metal sign is supposed to be noticed by people driving by, you'll want it to stand out at a further distance, so prioritizing size and readability is an important design tool.
Creating Dynamic Typography and Color Schemes
Since this is all about design elements, fonts, and color schemes play a big part in design theory. The font and colors chosen are all important aspects of the message you're trying to convey.
Font
Every sign with lettering on it has some type of font. Deciding what is suitable is part of the message you're trying to say with your metal sign. There are three important things to keep in mind when creating your custom metal sign.
Keep it simple. Make sure your metal sign is visible and easy to read. If it is hard to read, especially from afar, your sign won't attract the same attention.
Size matters. Information must be kept to a minimum if your sign is somewhere public where people are walking by or driving. Large sizing with easy-to-read and quick-to-understand print will always attract more eyes which can enhance business.
Contrast. ShieldCo signs offer color LEDs to light up your custom metal signs as well as powder-coated technology to bring color and vibrancy to your creations. Understanding color theory and contrast can bring attention and enhance visibility to your sign.
Color Choices and Psychology
Color choice in art plays an important part in the visual aspect. Choosing what colors to display requires more work than just picking your favorite. Color also plays an important role in brand recognition, like the green and white of Starbucks or the yellow and red of McDonald's.
The psychological effect of different hues plays a part in how your metal sign is perceived. Bright and bold can be attention-grabbing but look out of place in a professional setting, while subtle and darker tones would look better in an office but out of place in a restaurant.
Shaping Metal Sign Design and Other Elements
Personalized signs can be as unique as you are. When it comes to the production of custom metal signs adding a layer, or layers can provide a sense of dimension. Interesting shapes and multiple layers can add a sense of 3D as well as help in creating a more memorable sign.
Play with Depth
ShieldCo can produce signs with multiple layers but depending on need, more or less layers might be what you're looking for. For example, a single-layer sign with a back panel is great for incorporating lights, while multilayer signs provide depth and texture.
Size and Scale
Think about where and for what purpose your sign will be present. A sign with ideal proportions is an important part of the custom sign process. A sign that is too small will be easily ignored if it is meant to represent your business but a smaller sign design will work better if it is something that is meant to be decorative in your house or man cave.
A well-designed and proportional sign can be impactful without being overbearing.
Design with Confidence
ShieldCo offers quality custom designs for your metal sign needs. In our process, we'll work with you to ensure that the product you spend your money on is one that you'll be happy with. If you aren't a graphic designer, you won't have to worry, because our team of art designers will turn your logo into a work of art.
Getting the best-looking sign you can means understanding some important art design principles. Thankfully the only thing you need to get started is a photo of your logo and we'll work at creating something great.
Request a quote today and get started on your next piece of art for the home or office!
