Sign Design Contest
Presenting the 2019 Sign Design Competition. Please view each photo submission and read the directions for voting. Plaques and recognition will be presented to both the winning companies and graphic designers at MSSA's SignConnexion in July. Please notice, that the sign design contest rules and categories suit our diverse membership.
You can review the photos by clicking on them. You will then cast your vote below in each category starting with Freestanding Large Sign.
Category 1: Freestanding Large Sign (50 sqf. and greater)
49 Music Square
History with Customer: First project with SW Design Group.
Reason for the Design: New Tenant sign for re-branded and renovated business complex.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 10 Hours
Barr Group
History with Customer: We were contacted by Barr Group about 8 months ago, and were hired to design a custom sign for their new office in Gulf Shores.
Reason for the Design: We were hired by Barr Group to design a custom pylon sign for their new office. We were tasked to create an eye-catching design that incorporated and LED sign into the concept.
Capital City Beverages
History with Customer: Customer contacted around a year ago to get ideas of a branding element for their business. We worked with them throughout the year and finally got a contract signed and artwork approved.
Reason for the Design: The customer wanted to have the letters on the sign to be illuminated and an industrial look on the letters. The sign actually have real wood planking for the appearance. Customer wanted the yellow of the "Beer" to represent an actual "Beer" color so we had to match exactly.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 40 Hours.
CNB
History with Customer: We have been site branding locations for this client since 1991. We have forged a long personal and professional relationship of mutual respect.
Reason for the Design: The design features a 45 degree V-shape foot print to accommodate line of site challenges, the slab rock hardscape and native plant materials speak to the geographical location.
The best design solutions benefit from evolution, I spend a lot of time in concept design & vectoring, not to mention presentation renderings.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 100 +/- Hours.
Coker Dentistry
History with Customer: New customer, I was contacted to submit design for a new internally lit sign for their office.
Reason for the Design: Existing signage was showing its age and it was non-lit signage. Customer wanted a internally lit signage with new logo
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 weeks.
Creekside Mini Golf
History with Customer: Has been our customer for over 20 years in many different businesses. But, this is their first mini golf.
Reason for the Design: They wanted a very unique-eye catching sign to go with a fun feel for the development and blend with the architecture.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 16 hours.
Eye and Laser
History with Customer: New customer.
Reason for the Design: A group of Eye doctors were forming a large company. Needed a design that they could do for all of the new locations.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 20 hours
Grizzly Axes
History with Customer: New customer who approached us wanting a custom designed sign and saw other work we had done and was impressed.
Reason for the Design: Wanted a sign that stood out to increase visibility and draw attention to his new business
Total Time Spent on the Design: 20 hours
Guys Pharmacy
History with Customer: We have done business on and off with this client over the years. This was our first ground up location.
Reason for the Design: We wanted to match the lines and feel of the building and give them a first class sign.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 18 hours.
Hancock Whitney
History with Customer: We have been doing business with Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank for twenty plus years.
Reason for the Design: Hancock Bank and Whitney Bank merged and re-branded their image as HW Hancock Whitney. The bank gave us the responsibility to redesign the pylon with their new logo. The pylon consist of internally illuminated cabinet with pan & embossed faces and illuminated reveal around the cabinet and a fabricated aluminum pole cover painted brushed aluminum finish. The sign is illuminated with LEDs.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
Helen Keller Public Library
History with Customer: We had donated a few small things to them in the past, but they never had anything on this scale before.
Reason for the Design: They wanted to keep things very traditional in style to help offset the modern Watchfire message center.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 9 hours approx.
High Regard Tattoo
History with Customer: This customer was a referral from a previous customer.
Reason for the Design: Our customer wanted to remove the old neon marquee-type sign and replace it with a new sign that kept a "retro" vibe but with updated look
Total Time Spent on the Design: 9 hours
Mainstreet Plaza
History with Customer: Do all of his work.
Reason for the Design: Needed a tenant sign in a historic district. Did not want to do a plain tenant standard sign.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 12 hours
Memphis Motor Werks
History with Customer: New customer.
Reason for the Design: Update logo to match their service to the import car repair industry and get noticed.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 6 hours
Missouri Street
History with Customer: New customer.
Reason for the Design: Old sign was falling apart and they were ready for a message board.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 design options, 3 hours.
One Metro Center
History with Customer: This is our first project with this customer.
Reason for the Design: Client needed an entrance sign for there new apartment complex.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 hours
Opry House Parking
History with Customer: We have a long history with the Opry brand of working together on various design, installation and sign repair projects throughout Nashville.
Reason for the Design: New sign for The Opry House parking lot expansion project.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 8 hours
Personal Injury Attorney
History with Customer: Do all of his work for his various locations
Reason for the Design: Wanted to match the architecture of his new office. Customer wanted me to design it but structure it to resemble the style of the new office. His other offices had a totally different presentation.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 40 hours
Pigeon Forge
History with Customer: City of Pigeon Forge has been a client for a number of years and we have done many other jobs for them of various types and locations.
Reason for the Design: This is a memorial sign for the professional volunteers who graciously donated their time, money and talents for the victims of the Forest Fires that burned 10,000 acres and destroyed 2400 buildings and claimed 14 lives.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 120 hours
Plants Plus
History with Customer: Local Business
Good Standing Repeat customer
Reason for the Design: Opening date
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 hours
Reliable Auto Services
History with Customer: We have a long standing mutual business relationship with the client.
Reason for the Design: We wanted to provide a sign that would revitalize the image and brand of the client. We wanted people that didn't know this business was there to suddenly recognize them and remember them. The owner's are three brothers with a collection of classic cars. We wanted to revisit the feel of a classic retro garage.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2 days
Speedy Realty
History with Customer: Our new valued customer at Speed Realty called us to assist them in acquiring new custom signage to meet their latest signage needs.
Reason for the Design: Speed Realty wanted a unique sign that wasn't just an ordinary tenant panel sign, so I created a structure that consist of decorative aluminum pole covers that extends above the illuminated tenant cabinet with an arched section to display the address numbers. Also adding fins on both sides for the tenant cabinet to tie the decorative elements together for a balanced look.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 hours
Village Wine & Spirits
History with Customer: Our history with the customer was mainly on the service and repair side. We did not originally manufacture the sign, but the customer had asked us to maintain it for years after it was originally installed.
Reason for the Design: When the sign was originally built, it was covered in exposed neon. The sign was a constant service problem for the customer and they eventually just stopped repairing it because of the cost involved. They approached us about possibly designing a new sign, but the iconic nature of the sign in the rural area was too much to discard. We decided to revamp the sign with LED border and channel letters in place of the previous exposed neon. The sign itself was covered in printed and laminated ACM.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
22 - 23
<
>
Category 2: Freestanding Small Signs (less than 50 sqf.)
Cake Me Away
History with Customer: Designed her main logo. This was part of her exterior sign package.
Reason for the Design:
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
Ivers Square
History with Customer: Another wayfinding project with a long-time customer exploring the history of a local city. We've had the pleasure of teaming up with the city for 20+ years and have completed multiple historical projects similar to this one.
Reason for the Design: To present the history of the city at a newly dedicated landmark for local and travelling tourists. This project highlights the importance of local enlistments of Civil War soldiers.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 months
One Club
History with Customer: One Club hired us about 2 Years ago to begin designing various signs throughout the property located in Gulf Shores. We are still designing and making signs for One Club to this day!
Reason for the Design: We were asked to come up with a custom design for the newly renovated golf course. All of the signs on the property that we designed and made had custom ceramic tile backgrounds. We wanted uniformity in the design, so we used that same ceramic tile for the golf course signs. We used laser cut acrylic panels and stud mounted acrylic numbers to create a unique and high end look that the customer has incorporated throughout the entire property.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 6 hours
Spanish Trail Lanes
History with Customer: Customer called in to our Gulf Coast location.
Reason for the Design: Customer wanted a "retro" look for his family bowling alley.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2-3 hours.
Tombecbe
History with Customer: Our long time valued customer at Tombecbe Trading Post called us to assist them in acquiring new custom signage to meet their latest signage needs.
Reason for the Design: Customer wanted a "rustic look" for their new sign and something that would represent their unique trading post store.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2 hours
Victors Walk
History with Customer: University of West Alabama is a long time customer of ours
Reason for the Design: The University was given a donation from a former alumni's family, who wanted to honor the life and athletic achievements of a former student.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 36 hours
1 - 6
<
>
Category 3: Wall Mounted Channel Letters
2 Twenty
History with Customer: This is a new customer from a referral. We are also working with this client on other projects.
Reason for the Design: Client is opening a new beverage bar in our downtown area and wanted to have a sign using their unusual logo. We decided to use the angles of their logon and wrap a routed aluminum w/ push-through 1/2" acrylic. It worked out beautifully.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4-6 hours
Autumn Woods
History with Customer: Autumn Woods Homeowner's Association has been coming to us for over 20 years, getting updates to older signage as well as a few new things along their time ordering with us.
Reason for the Design: They wanted to update their previous lettering that was on their brick monument. We redesigned the logo from pictures of the previous, broken logo that was on the surface.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2.5 hours
Bowl
History with Customer: Customer called Gulf Coast office
Reason for the Design: Customer wanted "retro" look for bowling alley
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2-3 hours
Bozeman
History with Customer: New Customer - Since This project we have done several other projects for the customer.
Reason for the Design: Clean & Simple Branding Image for a growing company.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
Buddy's
History with Customer: New business, first time working with them.
Reason for the Design: We took their original logo, and modified the colors to make sure the best illumination was achieved.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
City Motor Company
History with Customer: Customer call into Jackson office
Reason for the Design: Change of ownership
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2-3 hours
Cowbell
History with Customer: We have been proudly working with Mississippi State University Athletic Department since the recent remodeling of Davis Wade Stadium.
Reason for the Design: We were asked to design a oversized to scale version of the famous Mississippi State Cowbell as a feature in the recently added players lounge located in Davis Wade Stadium. We stepped up to the challenge creating this 6’ tall internally illuminated cowbell. The cowbell features RGB color programmable LEDs with a custom acrylic diffuser panel to allow MSU to dial in the LED color to their maroon. While fans do not ring this super sized cowbell, it’s size creates pop and makes a statement!
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3.5 hours
Creekstone
History with Customer: This multi-generational family business found us recently in their search for someone to help them re-brand at a higher level.
Reason for the Design: The main graphic design was provided by the Client, the size was proportioned to fit the space and the textural and dimensional engineering were chosen to satisfy the close viewing of eye level, "in your face" elevation.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 10-12 hours
Fierce Nutrition
History with Customer: Customer called Jackson office. New business
Reason for the Design: Very small square footage allocated via city, channel letters required via landlord.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2-3 hours
Kid Rock
History with Customer: Downtown Nashville Business Owner that utilizes us for Neon Projecting Signs on Broadway.
Reason for the Design: Distinctive rotating neon projecting sign with an over the top Honky Tonk twist for a new Bar Steakhouse
Total Time Spent on the Design: 20 hours
Legends
History with Customer: We have been doing business with this client for 3 years now. With designs ranging from casino to theme park.
Reason for the Design: Client requested a warehouse design for their banner brackets that would make a statement.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 7 hours
M&M
History with Customer: NEW LOCATION REQUESTED SIGN
Reason for the Design: HISTORIC DISTRICT
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2 hours
Mikos
History with Customer: We do signs for their casino.
Reason for the Design: Opening a new steakhouse. Needed a logo and sign design.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 40 hours
Nash Collection
History with Customer: This is our first project with this newly established Nashville based clothing line.
Reason for the Design: Sign for flagship store in Downtown Nashville.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 8 hours
NFL
History with Customer: 10 years
Reason for the Design: Tulane University requested a full design, print and install of a wall celebrating their history of players who have gone on to play in the NFL.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 60 hours
Nudies
History with Customer: Downtown Nashville Business Owner that utilizes us for Neon Projecting Signs on Broadway.
Reason for the Design: New Projecting Neon sign designed to match the overall design aesthetic of the Nudies brand and location.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
Pancake House
History with Customer: This is the first work we've done for this over 40-year family run operation in a building built of huge antique logs and a long reputation for great food.
Reason for the Design: Announcing fine southern grub, this design concept is horizontal to fit its designated roof location and combines elements of rustic craftsmanship with a table cloth head band, cedar shake roof and topped out with a handcrafted tin rooster.
Total Time Spent on the Design: over 40 hours
Seark College
History with Customer: We were referred by a long-time client to SEARK. They were updating several signs, this one was priority. I believe if you look at the inscription on the cornerstones you'll understand why.
Reason for the Design: To ensure that all who pass through the doors of this college feel valued.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 hours
Southfin
History with Customer: 1st attempt to earn their business for the other planned locations by designing a unique one of a kind wall mounted blade sign
Reason for the Design: We needed to catch attention from a distant intersection along with catch attention from the road running parallel with the business so we deaigned this to help draw the customers attention
Total Time Spent on the Design: 12 hours
Stricklin
History with Customer: A new hotel in an old building, downtown Florence, AL.
Reason for the Design: They wanted a retro design to go with the age of the building. The City had very strict sign rules against most of what the owners wanted, but everyone compromised with this scaled-down version of the original design.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 12 hours approx.
Textures
History with Customer: This is our second project for this client.
Reason for the Design: Simple lines for a classy clean look.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 8 hours
Trattoria
History with Customer: This was a new customer
Reason for the Design: Client wanted a sign with the spirit of an old traditional neon sign and light bulb border
Total Time Spent on the Design: 7 hours
ULM Alumni
History with Customer: ULM has been a longstanding client of ours. As Alumni, Brandi has been involved with several sign projects with ULM.
Reason for the Design: Opening of ULM Alumni Center- ULM wanted a history timeline displayed in an artistic 3D design that incorporated a digitally printed background, aluminum grid, digitally printed panels, and space for a monitor to feature events and information.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 15-20 hours
Voodoo Wings
History with Customer: We have been doing signs for this customer for almost 10 years. Multiple businesses and concepts. Customer trusts us with design and installation and service for life of the sign.
Reason for the Design: We have been doing signs for this customer for almost 10 years. Multiple businesses and concepts. Customer trusts us with design and installation and service for life of the sign.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 5 hours
Whatever
History with Customer: First project for this customer
Reason for the Design: Store front signage
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2-3 weeks
XC2
History with Customer: Design interior graphics for several sites. Have been working with them the last 4 years
Reason for the Design: Plant had a new production division open. Design was done to honor those involved.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 40 hours
11 - 26
<
>
Category 4: Graphics
%20(1).jpg?crc=374030861)
.jpg?crc=313797494)
.jpg?crc=453666294)
50th Anniversary
History with Customer: Design interior graphics for several sites.
Reason for the Design: 50 th anniversary of plant opening
Total Time Spent on the Design: 24 hours
Fire & Ice
History with Customer: I have a very personal and professional connection with Germantown High School, more specifically the Germantown High School Band. My daughter graduated from Germantown High School in 2018 and she was a member of the band program from 6th grade until graduation. They have placed multiple orders over the years. Each year I have create banners, 2 to 3 different T-shirt designs and several field props and backdrops similar to the design submitted. I am proud to have been able to work with them as a parent and a designer.
Reason for the Design: The purpose of the signs are to help provide additional visual interest to the story being performed by the band students. There are a total of 8 panels making 2 separate backdrops that are 4 panels each. The panels are printed on 8 ft tall X 4ft wide - 13 Mil corrugated plastic panels that were placed in rolling frames. The theme of the show was Fire and Ice. There was a battle depicted on the field between Fire and Ice with the coming of Spring being the triumphant winner after restoring and renewing the world. The band directors sent me a sample of the fire and ice designs used in the uniforms, flags and costumes and ask me to create a scene from a land that would portray each. After several concepts and a few changes were made, they approved these designs for their lands of Fire and Ice.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 10-12 hours
Indigo Pool Glass
History with Customer: Past work with architect.
Reason for the Design: Hotel required visual for glass so I used the same floor color and printed it on clear vinyl and installed them in a random pattern.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 10 minutes
Madison County Schools
History with Customer: Madison County Schools has been a long time customer of ours, getting signs for over 20 years with our company.
Reason for the Design: Madison County Schools has been a long time customer of ours, getting signs for over 20 years with our company.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 1 hour
Magnolia Green Wrap
History with Customer: We have had the privilege of doing vehicle graphics for Magnolia Green since 2015.
Reason for the Design: The vehicle wrap was designed to reflect the customer's interior planting, ornamental garden & seasonal color division of the company.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 6 hours
P&G Collage
History with Customer: Have been designing interior graphic packages for different sites around the US.
Reason for the Design: They wanted a collage with the main product line that they produce. This was my first concept.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 10 hours
Paint Pros
History with Customer: This will be the second vehicle graphics we have had the honor of doing for Paint Pros.
Reason for the Design: The graphics for the 2018 Nissan Titan truck was designed to incorporate paint but without covering the entire truck by adding it the edge of the bed. By doing so it gave the truck bed the look and feel of a typical opened paint bucket that has been used.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2 hours
Patriotic Safe
History with Customer: Customer is a close friend of coworker.
Reason for the Design: The customer wanted something that a traditional black safe sitting in the corner.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 4 hours
Thomas Constructors
History with Customer: We have worked with this local construction management company on several projects throughout Nashville.
Reason for the Design: Wall Graphic requested for interior wall of Thomas Constructors main office.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 3 hours
UWA (Womens Locker Room)
History with Customer: The University of West Alabama is a long time customer of ours.
Reason for the Design: The University received a donation from an alumni's family, who was a big team player and advocate for the school's women's sports team(s). The family generously donated to the total remodel and decor of this women's locker room.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 60+ hours
Walk-Ons South Arlington
History with Customer: CCI and Walk-Ons Bistreaux & Bar have been collaborating for 3 years. We provide full design support for dynamic interior full wall murals and setup for various brand activation placed throughout the restaurant-inside and out. We are currently working on future locations and that are opening soon.
Reason for the Design: All Walk-Ons Restaurants have feature walls to highlight local universities and athletes from the surrounding area. The South Arlington location featured 7 major schools in the background using fan imagery, and 4 major athletes as focal points. All restaurants are consistent with Black and White images for the main wall design.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 25 hours
Xtreme Powersports
History with Customer: New Customer
Reason for the Design: Customer contacted me to design logo and signage for his new business. This design was applied to interior wall in showroom and 84" x 192" lit exterior sign cabinet.
Total Time Spent on the Design: 2 Weeks
8 - 12
<
>