Design Clinic: A-frame sign

When you’re driving around town each day, you can’t help seeing the good signs as well as the not-so-good ones. Here’s one that has caught my attention each time I pass it on my way to the store. Being in the business for as long as I have, I usually look at the signs as I pass by them. It’s a kind of game to mentally redesign a sign with different layout options and color combinations.

Of course, it’s not always a good idea to take my eyes off the road for long to play that design game! But some of the signs I see are in desperate need of help to make them read better and do what the store owner intended them to do.

This particular sign has been bothering me for almost three years. Have you ever seen a sign that went against every design principle that we use to make quality signage? It makes you want to pull over to offer the shop owner suggestions as to how you could help them advertise their business with better signage. It may seem risky or a waste of time, but it could also be a great opportunity to challenge your design skills and do some business at the same time.