Outdoor signage plays a crucial role in the branding of any Kent business, helping to boost visibility, attract customers, and drive sales. Well-designed business signs create a unique and memorable image for a company. However, several factors influence their effectiveness, making it essential to understand the fundamentals of design. In this write-up, we will look at some things you should consider when designing outdoor signs for your Kent business, including exterior business signs, to ensure they effectively draw and engage your audience.
Transform your business with eye-catching outdoor signage that leaves a mark on people’s minds while boosting your brand. Contact our professionals to get personalised designs. For more, email us at hello@team.signmakersuk.com or call on 01892 362 395 to discuss this further!
At Sign Makers UK, we believe that effective outdoor signage is more than just about being seen—it's about leaving a lasting impression. Our team works closely together with you to ensure every sign reflects who you are.
Key Considerations For Effective Outdoor Signage Design
1. Purpose Of Your Signage
The first thing you need to do before starting the design process is to define the primary purpose of your outdoor business sign clearly. Are you aiming to increase foot traffic, promote a specific product, or make your business more recognisable? Once you’ve defined your goals, other design elements like the message, placement, and visuals will naturally fall into place.
2. Location And Placement
When designing outdoor signage, location is the most crucial factor. The best-designed sign in the world will only be effective if placed in the right place. Consider the location of the sign, how it will be viewed, and the distance from which people will see it. The sign should be visible from the road, footpath or at eye level, depending on what kind of business you are running.
Outdoor signage near busy areas like busy streets and malls attracts more attention. However, surroundings must always be considered; a messy environment can make your sign less visible, while an open area makes it more visible.
3. Materials And Durability
Outdoor signs must also withstand various weather conditions, depending on where they are installed. A good example is areas with changing climates, like Kent, where choices are driven by the need for durability and maintaining the appearance of signs over time. This is because certain materials sustain the quality of your sign for a longer period and keep it looking nice. Most outdoor billboard materials include aluminium, acrylic, PVC and wood. These materials are popularly used when creating outdoor signs since they are durable.
4. Brand Identity And Consistency
The signs you put up outside speak volumes about who you are as a brand, hence the need for it to complement your entire identity. To achieve this, they must incorporate essential brand elements such as logos, colour palettes, fonts and slogans to help passersby recognise your company immediately.
To illustrate, if one’s company uses unique colours or specific fonts across its online platforms and hard copies, why not use them in the open air? Consequently, people will see their reliability further by seeing their consistency.
5. Legibility And Readability
Despite its appealing visuals, an unreadable outdoor sign serves no purpose. It must be easily read from far away to attract people’s attention quickly. This includes selecting font colours and going for a suitable text size. Generally, sans serif fonts are easier to read from a distance compared to serif fonts. While more decorative fonts may look appealing, they can pose readability issues in outdoor settings where clarity is essential.
Another factor that influences how easily something can be read is contrast. Your writing must be clearly legible against your background. The best results come from having a dark print on a light background or vice versa.
6. Lighting And Visibility
Consider illuminating your outdoor signage, especially if it will be used at night. In darker environments, illuminated signs can stand out and create a strong visual impact. There are several lighting options to choose from, including:
Backlit Signs
This type of sign has lights at its back that create a shining effect.
Spotlights
Well, spotlights are concentrated lights directed at the specific areas of the sign.
LED Displays
An advanced option, which enables text or images to be changed; it is ideal for advertisements and variable information.
Good lighting on your advertising board can make a big impact, especially in busy areas where people see it from afar. During winter’s shorter days, extra lighting is often necessary.
7. Compliance With Local Regulations
Before finalising the sign design, it’s important to check local regulations regarding outdoor signage in Kent. The locals have a lot of regulations on how big or small, where to place them, and what kind of materials should be used to make business signs. If such regulations are disregarded, fines may be imposed, or even removal or alteration of the sign may be required.
To determine whether your design meets these rules, consult local authorities or experts in signage.
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Final Words
In conclusion, the design of outdoor advertising signage for Kent businesses requires careful consideration of several factors. For instance, location and materials, alongside brand consistency and adherence to local laws, are crucial. When executed thoughtfully, outdoor signs attract customers and ensure longevity, contributing to the future growth of your business.
Are you searching for ideal outdoor sign designs for your Kent business? Let our team of experts actualise what you have in mind. Contact us now by phone on 01892 362 395 or ask for a free consultation through email at hello@team.signmakersuk.com !
