Designer Sign Systems recently earned the opportunity to work with an award winning Magnet School – Monroe Elementary. The customer was given our name by the central facilities management team to solve the particularly challenging task of designing and fabricating a new and welcoming school entry. The entry was to have large colorful gears to represent the schools mission of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
The Objective
Designer Sign Systems was to work directly with the schools staff of teachers to take their design and bring it to life. It was very important to remain as true as possible to the original designs as in addition to the staff working on the projects the students we also involved.
The schools desired outcomes of this project were the following three objectives:
Bright, Colorful, and Welcoming Entry. The use of vibrant colors, layout, and expandability were of particular importance.
Meet the deadline. Due to introduction to students and families a strict deadline needed to be adhered to.
Safety. Because the gear elements were very large and would be where students would interact and even climb on them the materials used and mounting methods were critical to the long term success of the project.
The Strategy
To achieve the goals several brief meetings were held with the customer on site to determine all of the administrations needs, budgets, and concerns. The meetings included any administration staff member required as well as the sales and design team from Designer Sign Systems.
Designer Sign System’s approach benefitted from our ability to allocate a dedicated designer and project manager to develop the plan. The key points in the strategy called for:
- Design reviewed the schools web site, mission statements, color schemes, and as much information as possible to be able to select materials and colors appropriate for the school.
- Project Management reviewed the site and selection of materials to ensure mounting was appropriate to meet the safety concerns of the school.
The Results
The result was the creation of large flat cut aluminum gears. Primary colors were used to ensure that the elements would stand the test of time and provide the proper investment for the school.
Installation went without a hitch mounting the gears in to the brick of the school through the faces of the gears. This ensured that even if a kid were to climb on them it would be as safe of an environment as possible.
Taking the project one step future Designer Sign Systems hosted a field trip for approximately 85 Second Graders. This allowed the students the opportunity to see firsthand the engineering that was required to complete their project. From Concept to Design to Fabrication to Installation each of the students was able to see each of the steps come to life.