Modern looking sign for a fancy clothing store

[nolanola]

Hello.
Recently we completed a job with flat cut aluminum letters:

A lady who is opening a store next block contacted us a couple days ago. It is a corner building.

The whole building will be painted light grey.
They want a sign that will go above the entrance, above metal awning. The sign should have a modern look.
So far it looks like a very interesting project: the client trusts me and "open for suggestions" and we have time.

There are some photos of signs they like:

The logotype of the store is executed in a similar style.

So the keywords for the project are: metal flat cut or cast letters, thick material, back lit or any other kind of illumination.
The obstacles: the corner, lack of the back surface (a wall). I would prefer avoiding building the wall for the sign. I believe there is a way to make a good sign for that environment.

What do you think?

Thank you.

 

[Marlene]

can you make a false front backer to install over the door area? that might help make it look neater as it is kind of a mess now

 

[Pat Whatley]

Curved sign can with push through acrylic letters or stenciled letters mounted on the corner to "float" above the awning.

Something like this:

 

[Starter]

I am currently quoting a job that is aluminium flat cut letters hanging in front of a building. Do you mind if I ask how you fastened the Rivers Spencer letters?

 

[nolanola]

I am currently quoting a job that is aluminium flat cut letters hanging in front of a building. Do you mind if I ask how you fastened the Rivers Spencer letters?

That job did not go very smoothly.
I ordered the letters from Gemini. There are 30 letters in the email conversation and probably 2 hours spent talking on the phone. They did a good job anyway.
The letters are attached this way:

Only from the top.
The letters are not flush to the rail, because some curvy letters (like C, O, R) are taller than the other ones. That's why you should leave some room for them so the line looks the way it should.

First I did the letter spacing (kerning?) the same as it is in their logo, tight. I was so busy with thinking how I will get it mounted that I hadn't paid enough attention to that. And the customer approved the design.
The letters arrived with a predrilled aluminum rail. And I assembled everything on the bench and installed the rail with the letters on it. And it looked ugly, because the letters were so close to each other.
I called Gemini and asked them how long it would take to get a new (longer) rail. They said 9 days and they need the letters to predrill it.
I got a 1,5″ x 1,5″ aluminum rail (C bracket), got it painted, cut the letters with the right spacing of vinyl in 100% scale, put it on the floor, put the metal letters over the vinyl ones against the rail, marked the rail, drilled the holes, got another set of nuts for the letters. The fun part began when I realized that a socket wrench would not fit the C bracket (to tighten the nut that holds the stud from the inside of the rail).

I hope it helps!
Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Gino]

I would suggest adding a 'bump-out' to both sides and add your dimensional letters to it, in the style they choose. Be sure the 'bump-out' allows space behind it, to let the rain 'run off' go behind it, but they will need one facing each direction, if they wanna do it properly.

 

[oksigns]

Those supports are really working against you. After looking at the area, and presuming this will be a boutique shop after renovations, I would suggest these placements including a side wall mural of either just the logo or some prominent typographical treatment to complement the building area. Ideally, I would highly suggest integrating interior support for the awning during the reno which would leave the top section more available for something more integrated and "proper". I would really gun for a wall mural to make the building stand out and give it more personality.

For design inspiration, I'd definitely start with "contemporary Victorian" examples.

 

[nolanola]

Those supports are really working against you. After looking at the area, and presuming this will be a boutique shop after renovations, I would suggest these placements including a side wall mural of either just the logo or some prominent typographical treatment to complement the building area. Ideally, I would highly suggest integrating interior support for the awning during the reno which would leave the top section more available for something more integrated and "proper". I would really gun for a wall mural to make the building stand out and give it more personality.

For design inspiration, I'd definitely start with "contemporary Victorian" examples.

That is impressive!
Thank you!
Their logo has been already designed and their style feels "cold". And they are so into it and I am sure I won't be able to make them change their mind.
Here, in New Orleans, business owners try to keep it old way: there are many sandblasted and hand painted signs. And I like it. But in this case the customers want the store to stand out, that's why I think they won't support the wall mural idea. But I will try it anyway.
What do you mean by the interior support for the awning?

Thank you!

 

[oksigns]

That is impressive!
Thank you!
Their logo has been already designed and their style feels "cold". And they are so into it and I am sure I won't be able to make them change their mind.
Here, in New Orleans, business owners try to keep it old way: there are many sandblasted and hand painted signs. And I like it. But in this case the customers want the store to stand out, that's why I think they won't support the wall mural idea. But I will try it anyway.
What do you mean by the interior support for the awning?

Thank you!

It would be extensive work and definitely something to consider if these owners will be keeping the building for years to come, but I'm referring to those tension struts connecting the awning to the main walls of the building. It would be considered both a cosmetic improvement and functional.

 

[Starter]

Thank you so kindly nolanola.....this will help.