One month before the roll-out of the Workforce Florida name change and re-branding, I received an invitation to bid on the signage for our Big Bend area. It would have included at least four locations and several varieties of large outdoor displays. It was one of those times that I had to be brutally honest with myself about my limitations, being a small shop focused on quality. I simply would have to pass on the opportunity due to the scope and time constraints. Fortunately, we serve in our State's capital. This means that I was not totally out of this loop. Weeks after turning down the big bend area I heard from the state office about replacing their HQ sign.
Working on this project was a great experience on several levels. First: Violet Williams the person who contacted us was very discerning and was looking for more than the typical plotter-cut, government-get-by sign. Secondly: As a matter of fact the new logo was excellent. It was created by Ideas Studio.
They successfully balanced the governmental look with vibrant colors that visually say Florida. Thirdly: Williams said at our first meeting, that she had spent the morning familiarizing herself with our work, on both our website and this blog that you are now visiting! I took this as a high compliment and truly wished to present a design worthy of her expectations and the excellent branding of Ideas Studios. It was time.
Color & Dimension
These tools can take a very simple sign layout to the
next level. As for the hues, We took the Pantone colors
the designers had chosen and selected their closest
equivalents in Sherwin Williams Resilience paint line.
I say closest because the PMS colors are for printers
inks which are translucent. light passes through these
inks and is reflected back to our eyes, allowing an
amazing array of colors to register. Paints however
are opaque allowing us to cover a substrate solidly
without streaks and brush strokes. The physical
difference between these two mediums can sometimes
be a great matching challenge.
Pantone Matching System's color swatches and my paint matches.
Incorporating dimensional graphic components on
to a sign is a great interest booster. These applied
spacial planes draw us in. We are captivated by
physical objects in our environment more so than one
dimensional color changes on a flat surface.
The former is something that we perceive as "real".
1/2 inch, thick Azek (PVC sheeting) after it had been router-cut using
the Carvewright followed by several coats of Resilience.
Getting some face-time, Sign-face time.
A video was released about the Re-brand's roll-out. In it you shall see the new logo being unveiled at public events across the entire State of Florida. Footage of sign replacement is included. I am delighted to share that a close-up pan of our sign at the HQ is the first one featured. Watch video: Brand launch
The best sign of success...
Is the call back, sometimes it occurs quickly. Career Source Florida's Staff called us back requesting an interior wall treatment for their lobby area in less than a week.
The interior sign was the exact size of the exterior sign.
Although it does not feature dimensional graphics, placing them on a "floating"
clear acrylic panel does create natural drop shades, pulling our attention in.
As a note of interest, the graphics are plotter-cut, vinyl film which was painted with the same satin finished colors used on the exterior sign.
