Design ideas for family doc signage?
April 6, 2010 7:36 AM Subscribe
Family doctor seeks friendly entrance sign. What design elements will help convey skill, warmth, professionalism and reassurance?
A friend who is a family doc is moving his office and requires a new sign out front, along the street. I don't know the dimensions, but it will be several feet wide by several feet high.
Required information: Name of the practice, doctor's name, street address, phone number.
Suggested fonts? Colors? Great examples? Ideas for simple, single graphic element?
The idea that has been floated by his amateur designer is...well, meh, and I'm hoping to give my friend some ideas, examples and input before this so-so layout is finalized. The design, will, of course, carry over into other office stationery, ads etc. Help, please?
A friend who is a family doc is moving his office and requires a new sign out front, along the street. I don't know the dimensions, but it will be several feet wide by several feet high.
Required information: Name of the practice, doctor's name, street address, phone number.
Suggested fonts? Colors? Great examples? Ideas for simple, single graphic element?
The idea that has been floated by his amateur designer is...well, meh, and I'm hoping to give my friend some ideas, examples and input before this so-so layout is finalized. The design, will, of course, carry over into other office stationery, ads etc. Help, please?
Is this an exterior monument sign? Is it on the building? Flat or dimensional? Honestly, if he has an amateur designer, he's going to get amateurish results, and may even find himself in violation of zoning regulations, and the city could force him to remove and re-do it at great cost. The suggestions we give you here are secondary to the bulk of the project. He should contact a real, professional designer; the manufacturer of the sign should be able to help you find one. Good luck.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:57 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by Optimus Chyme at 7:57 AM on April 6, 2010
It probably goes without saying, but: no Comic Sans. No "kiddie" fonts whatsoever, but especially no Comic Sans.
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:06 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:06 AM on April 6, 2010
eek, it would have to be VERY skillfully painted if by hand or i would go elsewhere. i would err on the side of professionally painted/carved with warm colors, maybe some pink somewhere in there, because pink is considered soothing. and a good font is key: something that's not too modern but not too ornate or old-fashioned. it would probably help if i used some fonts as examples, and i will later this afternoon.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 8:07 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by lakersfan1222 at 8:07 AM on April 6, 2010
IANAD (I Am Not A Designer) but I have listened to them enough, so here's what little I can contribute:
That's a toughie. Red has a strong medical association, but is also mildly alarming in large quantities. Blue seems to be rather popular. Do not put red on blue or vice versa. You could get away with using both as long as they are separated by white.
As to a font, maybe something just a trifle old-fashioned. Serif, but not ornate. Just some little feet. No script, no giant scrolls.
The sign must be readable from a great distance. The importance of readability would go up with both the average speed of someone driving by and the distance from the middle of the street. To that end, I would probably rank the address as the least important thing on the sign, with the phone number being second. To practice this, print out the design, stick to a wall upside down, take off your glasses, and take three biiiiig steps back. Now look.
Nobody seeing it would know what to call it, but the rod of Asclepius (one snake), which gets mixed up with the caduceus (two snakes) is still recognizable. The stethoscope seems popular, too.
The smaller the town, the more Norman Rockwell you want to go with this. Also, you might consider it in the context of the building itself. It must stand out, but not look jarring. No old-timey signs on an ultramodern building.
At least hit up a design student locally.
posted by adipocere at 8:08 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's a toughie. Red has a strong medical association, but is also mildly alarming in large quantities. Blue seems to be rather popular. Do not put red on blue or vice versa. You could get away with using both as long as they are separated by white.
As to a font, maybe something just a trifle old-fashioned. Serif, but not ornate. Just some little feet. No script, no giant scrolls.
The sign must be readable from a great distance. The importance of readability would go up with both the average speed of someone driving by and the distance from the middle of the street. To that end, I would probably rank the address as the least important thing on the sign, with the phone number being second. To practice this, print out the design, stick to a wall upside down, take off your glasses, and take three biiiiig steps back. Now look.
Nobody seeing it would know what to call it, but the rod of Asclepius (one snake), which gets mixed up with the caduceus (two snakes) is still recognizable. The stethoscope seems popular, too.
The smaller the town, the more Norman Rockwell you want to go with this. Also, you might consider it in the context of the building itself. It must stand out, but not look jarring. No old-timey signs on an ultramodern building.
At least hit up a design student locally.
posted by adipocere at 8:08 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
metroid baby, i second you. no comic sans....
posted by lakersfan1222 at 8:08 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by lakersfan1222 at 8:08 AM on April 6, 2010
Response by poster: Optimus Chyme, I should have mentioned that the sign will be placed in a code-compliant, pre-existing space--it's basically a matter of designing something flat that can be slotted into the frame. Thanks for the reminder about local zoning.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on April 6, 2010
I think the correct protocol in this situation is to have a sign design contest. He could send out a postcard to his patient-families and invite them to make a sign. The winner gets $100, the doc gets a cool conversation piece. Everybody wins.
posted by parmanparman at 8:38 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by parmanparman at 8:38 AM on April 6, 2010
Seconding Optimus that he should perhaps consider a professional designer since that's what they do.
Frankly, he is going about this the wrong way. He should take those words that he wants to convey and have someone design a logo for his practice that conveys that message. From the logo comes the design for the stationery package (letterhead, bus cards etc.). From those marketing materials comes the design for an exterior sign.
If you start with the exterior sign you end up with something possibly unusable for a business card or really unworkable for letterhead. Of course, most people think the sign is where you start when you open your business so they end up with crap marketing materials.
Most people also ask Aunt Mabel's neighbor kid who kinda sorta knows Photoshop to design the stuff that is going to be their visual representation in the world.
Don't let your friend be those people.
posted by pixlboi at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Frankly, he is going about this the wrong way. He should take those words that he wants to convey and have someone design a logo for his practice that conveys that message. From the logo comes the design for the stationery package (letterhead, bus cards etc.). From those marketing materials comes the design for an exterior sign.
If you start with the exterior sign you end up with something possibly unusable for a business card or really unworkable for letterhead. Of course, most people think the sign is where you start when you open your business so they end up with crap marketing materials.
Most people also ask Aunt Mabel's neighbor kid who kinda sorta knows Photoshop to design the stuff that is going to be their visual representation in the world.
Don't let your friend be those people.
posted by pixlboi at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
It totally depends on the location. An office in a small-town-ish, setting would require a different treatment from an office located in an urban, professional building type location.
Any good designer would want to scout the location first, before giving you the specifics.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:48 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Any good designer would want to scout the location first, before giving you the specifics.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:48 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
I am not remotely a designer, but I have skulked about a lot of practices as a health care volunteer, and now as a student nurse practitioner on rotation. Something I recently noticed from the larger, successful, good word-of-mouth practices is that their signs, logos, letterhead and all "branding" type materials incorporate graphic elements that read very "hometown."
For example, successful practices in the northwest incorporated tasteful fern/evergreen/ocean graphics into their logo. Where I am at now, in school (Ohio), buckeye sprays and rolling hill graphics are popular. I think there absolutely is something to subtly (and YES professionally) working those visual roots into your branding--and the nature thematics always look nice (for example--wheat stalks/sunflowers for a Kansas practice, bluebells for a Texas practice, a redwood for a California practice, etc.)
Plus, if it's well and (professionally done) it's easy branding for people to remember (the practice with the pretty bluebells sign), can be used in lots of other aspects (decorating the lobby), and "feels" hometown. But do turn to a professional designer who can create a flexible and attractive design package--otherwise the practice will be constantly changing things when they get tired of it and confusing people into thinking they've shut down or moved (seriously)!
posted by rumposinc at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
For example, successful practices in the northwest incorporated tasteful fern/evergreen/ocean graphics into their logo. Where I am at now, in school (Ohio), buckeye sprays and rolling hill graphics are popular. I think there absolutely is something to subtly (and YES professionally) working those visual roots into your branding--and the nature thematics always look nice (for example--wheat stalks/sunflowers for a Kansas practice, bluebells for a Texas practice, a redwood for a California practice, etc.)
Plus, if it's well and (professionally done) it's easy branding for people to remember (the practice with the pretty bluebells sign), can be used in lots of other aspects (decorating the lobby), and "feels" hometown. But do turn to a professional designer who can create a flexible and attractive design package--otherwise the practice will be constantly changing things when they get tired of it and confusing people into thinking they've shut down or moved (seriously)!
posted by rumposinc at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, and an interesting note I didn't mention:
I asked a Dr. how they came up with their really pretty fern logo once, and he said that their designer (who designed for mainly medical groups) suggested something from nature for their logo because it sort of suggested to potential patients that they were a more "natural" practice, which now-a-days is reassuring to people (and this was a strictly allopathic/Western family practice).
posted by rumposinc at 9:13 AM on April 6, 2010
I asked a Dr. how they came up with their really pretty fern logo once, and he said that their designer (who designed for mainly medical groups) suggested something from nature for their logo because it sort of suggested to potential patients that they were a more "natural" practice, which now-a-days is reassuring to people (and this was a strictly allopathic/Western family practice).
posted by rumposinc at 9:13 AM on April 6, 2010
A lot of great ideas but if I may suggest a place to have the plaque made.
http://www.my-sweet-memories.com/
This woman named Channa makes them. I don't know her personally but she made me a sign for my upcoming wedding that will later be used decoratively in my home. I know a lot of other people who have used her. She is extremely patient with you trying out different colors/fonts and is very professional!!
posted by mittenbex at 9:43 AM on April 6, 2010
http://www.my-sweet-memories.com/
This woman named Channa makes them. I don't know her personally but she made me a sign for my upcoming wedding that will later be used decoratively in my home. I know a lot of other people who have used her. She is extremely patient with you trying out different colors/fonts and is very professional!!
posted by mittenbex at 9:43 AM on April 6, 2010
I'm a lawyer with my own practice. Because I wanted to seem steady and solid, I went for old school with the font. You may want to do the same thing. I think an old school font (think early 60's business cards for lawyers) really transmits the idea of solidity and safety. Plus the hipsters think its cool.
I suggest using the same font or font family through the whole range of uses.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:15 AM on April 6, 2010
I suggest using the same font or font family through the whole range of uses.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:15 AM on April 6, 2010
What design elements will help convey skill, warmth, professionalism and reassurance?
For a family doctor, experience is reassuring. Signs in a simple, classic style, that could have been put up there years ago, might look best. For colors, consider gold letters on black background, or white letters on dark blue background.
If it's possible to use hanging signs at the location, maybe something like this?
Also, simple black, brass or bronze metal letters (example) mounted on the wall, looks professional and reassuring.
Name of the practice, doctor's name, street address, phone number.
Does everything have to be on the sign? The street adress is often separate from the sign, above the entrance door.
Nobody seeing it would know what to call it, but the rod of Asclepius (one snake), which gets mixed up with the caduceus (two snakes) is still recognizable.
Agree.
posted by iviken at 10:52 AM on April 6, 2010
For a family doctor, experience is reassuring. Signs in a simple, classic style, that could have been put up there years ago, might look best. For colors, consider gold letters on black background, or white letters on dark blue background.
If it's possible to use hanging signs at the location, maybe something like this?
Also, simple black, brass or bronze metal letters (example) mounted on the wall, looks professional and reassuring.
Name of the practice, doctor's name, street address, phone number.
Does everything have to be on the sign? The street adress is often separate from the sign, above the entrance door.
Nobody seeing it would know what to call it, but the rod of Asclepius (one snake), which gets mixed up with the caduceus (two snakes) is still recognizable.
Agree.
posted by iviken at 10:52 AM on April 6, 2010
Who picks their doctor by the way their sign looks?
IMO the sign ain't gonna make much difference unless it is
(1) cheap
(2) amateurish
(3) gaudy
or
(4) super-creative
The first three outcomes are bad. The fourth likely isn't appropriate to convey an air of professionalism.
That said, maybe choose a font like New Century Schoolbook, which is often associated (perhaps even unconsciously) with schooling and therefore family-friendliness. (It's often used in...well, schoolbooks).
A very slightly off-kilter font may convey a feeling of warmth and personality. Tread carefully, though - don't choose something too offbeat. Something like Palatino or Benguiat might work. Bodoni might also be a good choice.
posted by halfguard at 3:38 PM on April 6, 2010
IMO the sign ain't gonna make much difference unless it is
(1) cheap
(2) amateurish
(3) gaudy
or
(4) super-creative
The first three outcomes are bad. The fourth likely isn't appropriate to convey an air of professionalism.
That said, maybe choose a font like New Century Schoolbook, which is often associated (perhaps even unconsciously) with schooling and therefore family-friendliness. (It's often used in...well, schoolbooks).
A very slightly off-kilter font may convey a feeling of warmth and personality. Tread carefully, though - don't choose something too offbeat. Something like Palatino or Benguiat might work. Bodoni might also be a good choice.
posted by halfguard at 3:38 PM on April 6, 2010
I'd suggest a carved wood sign (but look for a local vendor who can work with you). There's a company in town here that does them for several of the professional offices, although their style is closer to this sign, with a wood-colored background and raised, dark-painted lettering, versus gold lettering carved out of a painted background. I like them because they are subdued and convey warmth.
posted by dhartung at 10:41 PM on April 7, 2010
posted by dhartung at 10:41 PM on April 7, 2010
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posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:54 AM on April 6, 2010