Giant Olympics signs to cover skyscrapers

Vancouver can expect to see gigantic Games-related signs on the sides of skyscrapers starting as early as October 2009. Last week, city council passed a bylaw package allowing owners to begin installing large-scale celebratory signage Oct. 1. The special technology used to cover a building face relies on warm, dry temperatures, weather not found in Vancouver’s winter months. “At the most, the signs could be as large as a full face of a building,” general manager of Olympic and Paralympic operations Paul Henderson was quoted as saying.

Only 10 to 15 downtown towers will be plastered with images greater than 10 per cent of their surface area, but thousands of banners and smaller signs will cover the city, Henderson said. “Definitely we expect the images to build excitement,” he said. What constitutes “celebratory” is open to interpretation. It could include images of skiers shooting down mountainous slopes or speed skaters rounding a curve – anything that creates enthusiasm for the Games. But it doesn’t mean free advertising.

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The desire to protect heritage can go too far

As the economic crunch continues yet another heated debate has sprung up between retailers and a local council. This time the trouble is brewing in the historic city of Edinburgh. It is understandable that those charged with preserving and promoting the historic beauty of Edinburgh – and in particular the World Heritage Site – feel very protective towards it. To that end few would disagree that the rules relating to what should, and shouldn't, be allowed to happen in the Old and New towns must be carefully monitored. In keeping with this objective strict protocols have been established to prevent the general feel of the areas being ruined. Quite rightly then quality and size of signage is strictly controlled.

So now a row has erupted, the main bone of contention being advertising "A boards" placed on pavements. Businesses say they want them because they encourage trade, but conservationists and planners have long argued they create unnecessary street clutter. As a result, a list of strict regulations as long as an arm were drawn up to govern their size and positioning and each business was restricted to a single board. It seemed a sensible compromise as environmental wardens were empowered to deal with rule breakers.

But it would appear that the council may not be prepared to honour this agreement any longer and proposals have been drawn up for a blanket ban on all boards. Unless they can produce compelling evidence of the dangers they pose this seems a step too far.

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New Scottish Signage For Sainsbury

Focusing on its business in Scotland, Sainsbury's has launched a new range of in-store signage designed to showcase the excellent selection of Scottish products available to shoppers. The material will feature prominently at Sainsbury's 32 stores across the country. he new signage will see not only the Saltire prominently displayed across Sainsbury's stores but will also feature information on Sainsbury's Scottish suppliers.

It is hoped that the initiative will not only increase awareness about the wide range of quality food and drink available in Scotland but will also encourage shoppers to support Scottish producers. New point of sale material is also being introduced which will highlight individual products made in Scotland. A great example of this is the award-winning Isle of Bute Cheddar. The Cheddar, made by the Rothesay creamery with 100% Scottish milk, was first sold by Sainsbury's in 1996 and is now available at Sainsbury's stores across the UK.

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Save Our Sign

As reported in the local UK press today a shop in Hertford is facing an up hill struggle with signage. A planning row has broken out over a shop sign in Hertford with the store's owners accusing the local council of double standards and indeed victimisation. The shop's owners have now launched a campaign to save their sign and have been collecting many local signatures on a petition.

Co-owner Victoria Rex was quoted as saying: We feel victimised in this struggling climate we feel we bring something valuable to the town. Everyone is saying people should shop locally these days and support your town, but the council is not supporting the foundations of the town."

A spokesperson for the local council csaid: "A meeting was held with the shop, they have been refused planning permission. We understand that the shop is not prepared to take the sign down and it will be referred to the development control committee in due course.

"The old Wiggington's building is Grade II-listed and is in a prominent position on the corner of St Andrew Street. One of the main features of the building is the tiled front which includes the original raised signage, and is therefore considered worth preserving."

You would think that in todays economic climate local businesses would get the backing of councils and reviews of current regualtion should be the order of the day.

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Used Boat Show Annouced

Premier is pleased to announce that it will be holding a new and used Boat Show over the last July weekend at Sovereign Harbour Marina, Eastbourne. Premier is teaming up with onsite tenant and broker Bates Wharf Southern as well as Tim Nicholls, Morgan Sailing, Walrus Fabrications, Tate and Crewe, Felton Marine and Eurotek.

There will be new sail boats on display from Elan, Moody, Island Packet, and Benneteau and power boats from Sessa, Maxum, Chris Craft and more. There will be used boats on display from a variety of brands to suit all budgets.

Premier Marine Insurance will have a representative on site offering a FREE “Insurance Clinic”. Visitors can get their marine insurance questions answered and a quote for their boat. Premier Marine Insurance offers a great product at a competitive rate, Premier are so positive that they can beat current premiums they offer £10 back if they can’t.*

The other onsite tenants will be offering free advice on all aspects of boating including: yacht maintenance and repair, canvas covers, canvas repair, sail repairs, rope work, GRP repairs and maintenance, antifouling and winter servicing, marine engineering, engineering supplies, yacht charter, and RYA lessons and courses. They will also be offering taster days and a FREE 'ask a surveyor' advice surgery.

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Winchester Crack Down On Signs

Hampshire County Council is launching a major crackdown on illegal street signs, and has threatened to fine traders £90 if they do not comply in sleepy city of Winchester. Retailers are up in arms and have blasted the ruling, arguing they need help from the Council and not hindrance from them during the recession. Many shopkeepers who own the signs areinfact independent retailers, and use them to drawn in shoppers off the High Street.

Yet the council’s environment department are very insistant and say the boards must go on safety grounds. Its executive member, Cllr Mel Kendal, was been quoted as saying; “We have been having regular purges on A-boards for several years now and would remind traders who have been putting up these boards outside their premises, that they have been doing so illegally.”

Winchester BID, ( a group which represents the retailers) has already held talks with the city council about the above issue. The groups are working on ideas to satisfy traders and the county authority, such as fixing signs to walls.

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Solar-powered EL signs unveiled

Earlier this month it was announced that Solar powered, Electro Luminescent (EL) signage is now a reality thanks to UK product design company Anokimobi Ltd. The ground-breaking signs unveiled are the first of their kind to be powered solely by the sun rays.Environmentally friendly and low maintenance, they could potentially save businesses millions in electricity costs and would additionally help them to reach previously untapped audiences where electricity supply is limited or non-existent.

Based on Electro Luminescence (EL) technology, one of the most energy efficient and versatile light sources to exist, a typical outdoor sign can provide between 6 and 14 hours of continuous illumination from daytime charging depending on the model. Unlike signs that use solar power to light very simple shapes made from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), EL signs can broadcast complex design sequences and detailed messages. EL signs can also be fixed almost anywhere due to their lightweight properties and streamlined construction. Ideally suited for use in sunny climates, it is expected that companies with interests in South America, Southern Europe, Africa, India and the Middle East will be the first to adopt the innovative and eco-friendly signs

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Landmark Las Vegas Sign Vandalised

News just in; tourists lining up to snap photos of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign Monday morning, many noticed something amiss. Red graffiti was scrawled on the famous landmark, defacing the main face and one of its structural legs. Most visitos noticed it right away and all of them expressed that they were very disappointed someone would damage the popular tourist attraction.One visitor was quoted as saying "It's kind of sad someone would vandalize something like that. It's the entrance to the city and everything."

The Young Electric Sign Company owns the sign and leases it to Clark County, county spokeswoman Jennifer Knight said. A red Sharpie marker was used to scrawl the lettering, said Russell Davis of the county's Department of Public Works. If the company can't restore the sign to its original condition, the county will call in its own contractors to remove the graffiti, Davis said.

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Lancashire Council To Advertise On Roundabouts

It was reported in the local UK press last week that dozens of advertising signs are set to be put on more than 20 traffic roundabouts across the Burnley and Pendle area. A UK based marketing firm wants to install 84 adverts for local firms on traffic islands in Burnley town centre, Hapton, Barrowford, Brierfield, Colne, Nelson and Barnoldswick, subject to planning permission. The proposals, which are expected to bring in revenue for councils, have been welcomed by most of the county councillors.

However, a motoring group warned of the “disastrous consequences” of the signs for road safety. Suffolk-based Marketing Force Limited has applied to planners to install 51 signs on 13 roundabouts in Pendle and another 33 signs on nine roundabouts in Burnley borough. Elizabeth Box, from the RAC Foundation, said: . “If this signage goes ahead, it will need to be carefully sited to ensure it does not distract drivers.”A marketing firm wants to install 84 adverts for local firms on traffic islands in Burnley town centre, Hapton, Barrowford, Brierfield, Colne, Nelson and Barnoldswick, subject to planning permission.

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Now Thats What I Call A Banner

Some great out-of-the-box thinking by turning the whole side of a building into a massive advertising signage space. Giant images of a dog and cat, with the tagline "play ball," appear on the 96-foot by 160-foot wrap that stretches across the north face of the tower building, at 1 Checkerboard Square, near Ninth Street and Chouteau Avenue in downtown St. Louis.

Five vertical panels of the mesh material, which allows office occupants to see through the signage, covers the top eight floors of the 15-story tower's north face. The signage is aslo expected to be reusable and therefor a very green solution.

The pet product company's internal agency, CheckMark, came up with the creative design and copy. International outdoor marketing firm Posterscope, based in the United Kingdom, did the production. The project was under 30 days from start to finish.

Impressive !!!

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Calls To Scrap Gaelic Signs

As reported in the UK press earlier this week - even things of principle are being compromised in the face of the economic down-turn as a union has urged Highland Council to end "politically correct" initiatives such as bilingual Gaelic signage rather than cutting jobs. The authority has warned that hundreds of jobs will have to be cut over the next three years as a result of £60m budget cuts.

Unison spokesman Shane Manning said bilingual signage was one area where cuts could be made without job losses. The council has already agreed to make £13m worth of savings this year.

He went on to say; "Unison Highland branch have a mandate from our membership to oppose bilingual signing. It may not be a vast amount of money but it's one example of where money could be saved just now when there are more important things to be spending the money on."

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Signs Promoting the 'Drink of Satan'

The silly season is with us now and this story reported earlier in the UK press did make me smile. Organsers of a beer festival at Beaconsfield Rugby Club at the weekend are both bemused and angry following the removal of signs advertising the event allegedly by a woman accusing them of promoting alcohol - 'the drink of Satan'. Around 600 people attended the three day festival which was organised to raise funds to convert nearby farmland into new rugby pitches for the over-subscribed club. The local paper put out an appeal for the woman to reveal her identity – and within minutes a woman explained that she wanted to keep people away from the beer festival because alcohol 'is the drink of Satan'.

Jean Dean, one of the festival organisers, was furious accusing the woman of losing customers for the event which was designed to raise money to help more people young and old to enjoy sport and fellowship. She said: " In a society where so much good work falls to so few, the last thing the community needs is opinionated people who are only concerned with their beliefs and viewpoints, spoiling the efforts of those trying to do something useful to the greater good of society. Dear lady, I hope you are very pleased with yourself."

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Neon Signs Rules Relaxed

The world economic downturn means that governing bodies are reviewing how they can help businesses to survive - as reported here in OHIO. Signs were the topic of choice at a Tuesday, July 7, City Council meeting, though debate over “regulating good taste” eventually led to the gutting of legislation governing neon signs in Uptown Oxford. The city’s Historic & Architectural Preservation Commission recommended limiting businesses to one 12-by-18 inch neon sign, but Council opted to completely remove requirements dealing with neon signs on the interior of buildings.

Considering the current economic climate, business owners should be able to explore any potential avenues available for drawing in business. “If you’re going to kick somebody while they’re down, why don’t you just step on their skull while you’re at it?” said a spokeman from the counicl. Council members also stripped the ordinance of a somewhat subjective requirement that would have required all exterior signs to be easy to read and maintain a simple design, color and materials.

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New Airport Signs Cost $2 Million

Reported in the US press today - that as a result of being faced with complaints that an estimated 20,000 people show up at the wrong terminal each year at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport , the MAC (Metropolitan Airports Commission) has been considering proposals to change the terminal names on the signs and list the airlines that fly out of each terminal. The price tag to make sure people get to the right terminal at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has soared to $2.2 million, more than twice the original estimate.

It also looks like efforts to keep the Humphrey and Lindbergh names on the costly new signs have failed. Instead, the signs will direct people to the more generic Terminal 1 [Lindbergh] and Terminal 2 [Humphrey]. The cost went up, according to MAC, after studies of the current signs showed that some of the supports are not big or strong enough to hold the new, larger signs. In addition, five new signs are needed.

The initial cost estimate of $1 million provoked complaints and a surge of advice from do-it-yourselfers who offered to do the job for less. "Give me a bucket of white paint and a brush!" wrote one StarTribune.com reader. "I'll make the new signs and I'll only charge $500k!"

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New Jersey Signs Point The Way

Visitors to the beachfront community of Seaside Heights New Jersey should have no trouble finding their way around this weekend with the help of a number of new signs recently installed by the borough. "The new signs incorporate a logo designed by our business improvement district and brightly coloured icons that truly say "this is a fun place to be,' " said Maria Maruca, executive director of the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District.

The signs are at two entrances to the borough: on Route 35 North, just before the exit to Seaside Heights, for visitors from Toms River and Seaside Park; and at the intersection of Route 35 South and Central Avenue, for those coming from Ortley Beach and other points north. Two additional signs may be found at Hamilton Avenue and Bay Boulevard, near an Ocean Ride bus stop; and in the center of the borough, at Grant and Central avenues.

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Village Signs

A village sign in some areas of England is a symbol of a village's history, heritage, or culture. They differ from regular road signs and other signage in that they are decorative, with the designs usually depicting some aspect of the history of the village. Sometimes made of cast iron or carved in wood, the designs are often made by the local community. The tradition of village signs started in Norfolk early in the 20th century when Edward VII suggested having signs to focus the identity of the villages around the Sandringham Estate.

In 1929 Harry Carter, an art and woodwork master at Hamonds Grammar School (which now serves as the sixth form buildings for Hamond's high school in Swaffham), carved a sign for his home town. When he died in 1983 he had carved over 200 town and village signs. While the practice is now widespread, decorative village signs are still most common in Norfolk and in the neighbouring county of Suffolk. Some village signs are actually sculptures like the one at Capel St.Andrew, in Suffolk, which is constructed from scrap metal.

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What Is Wayfinding

Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people and animals orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place. Wayfinding is often used to refer to traditional navigation methods used by indigenous peoples. In more modern times, wayfinding is used in the context of architecture to refer to the user experience of orientation and choosing a path within the built environment, and it also refers to the set of architectural and/or design elements that aid orientation. Urban planner Kevin A. Lynch coined the term in his 1960 book Image of the City, where he defined wayfinding as “a consistent use and organization of definite sensory cues from the external environment”.

In 1984 environmental psychologist Romedi Passini published the full-length "Wayfinding in Architecture" and expanded the concept to include signage and other graphic communication, clues inherent in the building's spatial grammar, logical space planning, audible communication, tactile elements, and provision for special-needs users.

Historically, wayfinding refers to the techniques used by travellers over land and sea to find relatively unmarked and often mis-labeled routes. These include but are not limited to dead reckoning, map and compass, astronomical positioning and, more recently, global positioning

This term is also used in reference to parking management strategies that help drivers find parking garages.

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