When we were contacted by a media management company, we weren’t exactly sure what they needed from us. They asked a ton of questions about our abilities. Can we manage a project? What about permits? Can we work within color parameters? How about installation? Can we work with their electrician? All very good questions which lead us to the Institute for Blind and Visually Impaired in West Allis, Wisconsin.
From the IBVI website: At IBVI, our employees inspire us with their pride, passion, and commitment to excellence. Every new customer, every new order, provides us with opportunities to create more jobs for the blind and visually impaired. IBVI works with visually impaired to provide services to businesses while providing a stable work environment for those that are visually challenged. They do a wonderful job helping people and helping businesses. When we completed the interview process, we realized that whoever was being represented by the firm, they had reasons to do this. IBVI had just completed installation of a new monument sign near the entrance to their campus. Needless to say, it went horribly. The company didn’t match the colors in their marketing plan and the text was the wrong font. I guess that they didn’t want to find out their were issues when the signs were being installed.
We started with their marketing plan. We identified colors and fonts. What was more of a directional item? What was absolute? We built out what the customer asked for and identified each component of the signs. Color, font, type of sign, material, illuminated vs. nonilluminated. We laid every component out to make sure the customer was going to get exactly what they wanted. We had the customer sign off on each part of the sign just to make sure we had every component exactly correct. We even identified which LED’s and the color of the internal lighting would be. We took zero chances on these signs.
The main part of the sign “IBVI” is a standard channel letter lit with GE True White LED’s. The tag line right next to the channel letters is custom cut acrylic wrapped in vinyl. We were able to print the exact color match for these letters. The letters are mounted on an aluminum track that is painted to match the blue stripe on the exterior wall.
Our installers worked with IBVI’s electricians to make sure the wiring was placed properly so they could complete the connections and light up the signs. All in all, it took us just over 3 months to get this project completed (including almost a month to get the permits). If you have a project you would like help with, please give Optimum Signs a call. We can be reached at 262.289.9481 or email us at info@optimumsignswi.com.
