What distinguishes a street that’s unremarkable from one that buzzes with an exciting vibe? It’s artistic neon signs and LED lit signs. Take a look at Miami’s neon district. A tourist destination, the signs that incorporate neon and LED lighting give the commercial buildings a retro Cuban feel. When the lighted signs go on, the streets come alive with excitement.
In contrast stands the City of Irvine California which has some of the most restrictive and unimaginative sign codes that we have ever worked with. Business sign buyers are allowed to mark their presence with little artistic flare. What they are after is a more sedate and uniform. Signs there barely catch the eye, and that is how the city likes it. The prevailing joke there is that the Irvine Home Depot carries 32 shades of beige!
The City of Los Angeles has also has become rather conservative with its sign code. Here is a city that likes to call itself the artistic capital of the world, and yet it prohibits neon signs to a large extent. LA has an Egyptian Art Deco heritage, wouldn’t it give the area more character to encourage that kind of look around town? A great deal could be accomplished with the right use of commercial signs on buildings.
Now let’s turn to the City of Seattle. Seattle has a tradition of neon and creative signs. It’s hard to pin down a Seattle style like you would New Orleans, Boston or San Francisco.
Four Neon Signs, Some Well Known, Some Not So Well Known.
One thing you can say about many Seattle signs, is that it’s business signs are cheerful, creative and even playful. These signs are often retro, by virtue of having lit up Seattle for years, decades even. These signs are inviting. They project an image that draws you in, creating a sense of wanting to be a part of the vibe it creates.
This is why neon signs can be so important to a business. These business signs are an asset, they draw customers in while adding to the street culture. They add value to the business– they are not just an expense. That’s why a successful business will usually have a creative and attractive business sign. Savvy business owners know this. The new business that decides to wait invest in an effective sign until they have enough business and cash coming in, rarely (and I mean RARLY) succeeds.
Now take a look at this video where a news reporter goes on and on about the importance of their town’s beloved sign. Click on the link below:
