At WL Concepts, we have found both clients and the sign industry don't always have a full understanding of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signage. They seem to think that in order to meet federal guidelines they must give up style. We are very proud of our ADA signage which meets all regulations without sacrificing elegance and flair. 

ADA Signs Don't Have To Be Dull  

 Prototype of ADA Signage for a hotel retro - fit                      

Corian ADA compliant signage with Tactile & Braille used in a Federal Courthouse                

Clients were sometimes unhappy with the results, as these signs didn't fit into the design of the establishment. A well-crafted decor incorporates elements such as paint and carpet colors, furniture styles, even the fonts used on the signs. Some signs produced didn't fit the theme and clashed with the look of the business. WL Concepts creates ADA signage that is both functional and attractive. 

Look At Our ADA Signage 

Of course the most important aspect of these signs is their function, giving vision impaired employees and customers full access to the facilities within your business. Our designers have learned ways to take the functional elements and blend them with your decor rather than making them stand out. 

High contrast displays can use a color palette based on your interior design. If your palette doesn't give sufficient contrast we have a few tricks up our sleeve. We use transitional elements on the edge of the sign to blend the high contrast display into your decor. Textured backgrounds and san serif fonts don't interfere with readability but add interesting elements to the display. Our Braille characters are incorporated into the design rather than being simply stamped on top of it. Because the tactile portion and Braille characters are seamlessly integrated, you probably wouldn't even realize you were looking at ADA signage. 

Raised Lettering Poses Unique Challenges 

ADA specifications on raised lettering have limited creativity on some sign designs. It limits the inclusion of other design elements that may obscure the letters and interfere with a person feeling and distinguishing the letters. However we found a way around that. 

Some of our ADA signage contains the same text twice. One text meets the visible requirements, such as high contrast, but incorporates raised elements that add to the design without interfering with the appearance. The second set uses raised letters that meet the tactile requirements, which contrasts with the sign so as not to distract from the visible letters. 

Any designer of visual displays must balance the look of the piece with its purpose. ADA signage may present specific requirements, but overall are not different than other custom displays. Don't settle for boring signs. Let WL Concepts design vibrant and beautiful ADA-compliant displays for your business.

A strong visual style is an important part of promotion. It reaches customers on a direct, non-verbal level. The most powerful symbols become cultural icons that define the products they represent. 

Find Your Style 

Some companies invest millions to develop a powerful visual identity, such as consulting marketing firms by using focus groups and indulging in other promotional voodoo. And yet often the best symbols are simply a natural evolution of a brand identity. It's easy to over think the problem. A huge research budget doesn't guarantee a successful image. 

Logos are powerful tools in creation of an image. These symbols can easily be incorporated into every aspect of the business look such as visual displays or business cards. However a business identity can be as simple as a specific color palette. WL Concepts knows a lot about how colors and shapes influence people and can assist with the development and design of display signage that clearly and boldly defines the organization. 

Express Your New Look 

Once you have a visual identity in mind, it is time to incorporate that vision into the look of your company. Start with the display signage we design for you. When we use the same scheme on architectural signage as your interior graphics, it creates a strong identity both inside and out. 

Take design elements from our display signage and use them in other aspects of your business look. Use the logo on your business letterhead. Integrate the color scheme into the paint and carpet colors. Have your website use the same font as the sign. Even a single design element linking these different objects together creates a unified image in a customer's mind. 

Keep The Old Or Add Something New? 

Even if you have an existing look, it might be time to update your display signage. If you keep everything looking the same, your business may seem out of date. Customers may unconsciously feel your organization has become stagnant. Younger customers in particular may be more attracted to companies with updated, trendy images. 

On the other hand, staying with a "classic" look might be a good option as well. If you make major changes to display signage, you weaken your brand identity. The connections in customers' minds aren't as strong and they find it easier to shop around. Companies often adopt major ad campaigns after a change in hopes of re-establishing brand identity under the new look. 

There is no easy answer to the question of whether it is a smart idea to update your company's image. However what is important is to have a look in the first place. Without a strong visual identity it's simply too easy for potential customers to think of your competitors instead of you. If you don't have a strong image yet, the design experts at WL Concepts can help you create one.

Clinique Medical Display  

WL Concepts in conjunction with GSW-w are please to announce the launch of a new display created exclusively for Clinique Medical in association with Allergan.   

This display is being launched through representatives to dermatology offices throughout the US.  Each display holds 5 tubes of an Optimizing Regime product used pre and post treatment.   

The display complements the design of the tubes in a half moon injection molded base with a drop out bottom for easy removal of packaging foam.  Each display has a clear lid with the “clinique” green backing the unit.  Along the base an area uniquely designed to display the product literature is housed.   

We have also designed special packaging to avoid damage in shipping across the country.

When you walk through a mall, have you noticed how some stores catch your attention while you walk by others barely even aware there is a shop there much less what they sell? Your architectural signage is a big part of which category your business will fit into. When working with WL Concepts experienced architectural signage design team on your exterior display signage, logo signage, and/or store signage you can be assured that your signage will draw customer attention and drive them into your store.

What Is A Sign's Purpose?

Many owners think the purpose of a sign is to identify their place of business. However studies show that over half of retail business comes from impulse buys and many of those are driven by good signs.

Let's say you own an ice cream shop. You build up a steady clientele and, when people want ice cream, they come to your place. These people are already customers so your architectural signage is not for them. Instead, consider the guy driving by on his way to get his muffler replaced. It's a hot day. He see's your sign and thinks, "Hey, ice cream would be great right now," and detours into the parking lot. Your sign just made a new sale.

The other important role architectural signage serves is as a first impression. Before customers see your store's interior graphics and POP displays, they see your sign. They form an image of your business without seeing your merchandise, sampling your service or talking to your staff. You want to create the right first impression.

Architectural Signage Design - Less Is More

Many store signs try to say too much. Your sign is not there to tell people your hours, list your many services, or tell people you habla español. Your window graphics can do that. The sign is meant be a "Psst, look over here" rather than a long sales pitch. The design should be simple with only a few words of text. An effective graphic says more than words can. For the ice cream shop above, the name of the store and a picture of an ice cream cone would be an effective way to entice people.

Your sign is competing with many visual inputs -- and the more complex it is, the more likely people will look at it without really comprehending it. A clean design backed by a strong graphic will pique people's interest and make them want to find out more about your business.

Colors are important. Foreground and background colors should contrast sharply so the text jumps out. The palette should fit your business image, be appropriate to the theme of the shopping center, and match the look of the neighborhood. A look that's right for one store might be all wrong for a store in the mall across the street.

Once you have an idea how your architectural signage should look, work with an experienced sign designer such as WL Concepts to finalize it. You know the look you want to achieve and the design team you choose can assist with their expertise and knowledge of colors, fonts and graphics. By working together you create a powerful message that will increase traffic to your business.