Clear Sign & Design
Clear Sign & Design is a design company that specializes in making signs of all types and sizes. Depending on a client’s needs, they oversee all aspects of the design process, from ideation, production, manufacturing, and installation. Some notable clients include the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Community College District, Hyatt Regency, and Navy Federal Credit Union.
I was brought on to assist the Design Department with ideation and everyday design tasks. This included range of tasks from incorporating simple client edits to a job block to pitching a design concept and building out an entire sign package myself.
Position: Graphic Designer
Duration: 6 months (contract)
Proficiencies Displayed: brand identity development, brand strategy, production design, photo editing
Tools: FlexiSign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Teamwork (program)
Concept Work
Typically clients would supply us with either a logo or brand style guide to design a sign package off of. In some cases however, a client would give us the freedom to run wild with our ideas, with only a loose concept or a color story to guide us. I took inspiration for the designs below from client supplied logos, building off what I saw there to create a sign package that blended seamlessly with their other brand assets. In each case, clients who typically took days or weeks to respond to our project managers got back to them immediately saying they wanted to go with my design concept because they loved it so much.
Takeaways
Although short, I enjoyed every moment at Clear Sign & Design as a contract designer and gained some valuable insights. Similar to my experience at Fox 5 San Diego, my role allowed me to effectively communicate with various departments, including printing, welding, shipping and receiving, and installation. I thoroughly enjoyed taking on a variety of projects with my team, always approaching them with enthusiasm and a collaborative problem-solving mindset. Each day brought new challenges that I was excited to tackle, ultimately honing my problem-solving abilities.
I also found great joy in delving into the technical facets of our design work. It's not often that designers have the opportunity to see the physical realization of their end product. Seeing our designs come to life and understanding the intricacies of their fabrication was such a fascinating treat. It provided me with invaluable insights into the product development process – from integrating precise specifications and materials into our design files to witnessing them transform into tangible products.