6 steps to a successful, creative brand
While getting to the finish line of any project is always rewarding, the process itself is always rather enjoyable as well. The idea… Read More
Author Archives: Dan Antonelli
Looking back on my 25 years with SignCraft
It was with great sadness that I learned that this issue of SignCraft would be the last printed version produced. Although I knew… Read More
Making the most of initial-based brands
For most sign shops, company names that use initials can be the most challenging to build brands for. Many clients come to us… Read More
Use the brand to tell a story
We’ve always focused on a more brand-centric approach to wrap design, with the brands themselves playing such a large role in the wrap…. Read More
Marketing ideas for slow times
If I lay my cards on the table, the last several weeks certainly have been quite a rollercoaster, as I’m sure it’s been… Read More
Understanding foreground and background in wrap design
The role of foreground and background in wrap design is one of the most critical aspects in the difference between an effective design… Read More
Your customer’s brand deserves its own unique colors
Whenever we’re designing a new brand for a client, we’re always talking to them about the importance of owning their brand colors. I… Read More
The power of before-and-after
As designers and artistic people, I think it comes naturally for most of us to view the existing logos, signs and truck wraps… Read More
From Blanded to Branded: Don’t blend in. Stand out.
About nine months ago, an HVAC contractor in Jacksonville, Florida, reached out to us to discuss the idea of renaming and rebranding his… Read More
Effective design creates a powerful first impression
Recently, a new restaurant opened up near my office. It had been vacant for almost ten years, and people were very excited for… Read More
Adapting logos to vehicles
When you think about designing wraps for vehicles, it’s akin to putting a puzzle together—making sure all the elements fit together, and making… Read More
Logo design for truck wraps
Nearly all of our truck wrap designs first involve a brand redesign or building one from scratch. The nice thing about that is… Read More
Signs deliver powerful first impressions
When it comes to making a good first impression, nothing compares to the impact a great sign or truck wrap can make. It… Read More
Before and after: Three redesigned truck wraps
While it’s always fun to work with new businesses to engineer a new brand and truck wrap for their fledgling business, more often… Read More
The responsibility of designers
I was speaking to clients—a husband and wife team—the other day about a new brand and truck wrap we were designing for them…. Read More
Trademark basics: What you need to know
As designers, we share a responsibility in making sure we have a basic understanding of the laws surrounding the creation of artwork and… Read More
Creative briefs speed the design process
As designers, we’re often tasked with trying to create an image and brand for businesses. It’s a balance of trying to figure out… Read More
A sign maker’s dream
Imagine a project where the first thing on the agenda are the signs. This is before the business is named, before the buildings… Read More
Finding work beyond your neighborhood
The biggest challenge most sign companies have today is trying to be competitive in a tough competitive landscape, which is enabling more and… Read More
Rebranding my own small business
In the 22 years since I founded Graphic D-Signs, I’ve helped rebrand more than 1,000 small businesses around the globe. I’ve always understood… Read More
