The appeal of illuminated signage in shop windows at night
Research has shown that illuminated signage can increase a company’s
visibility by attracting the attention of busy shoppers and passing traffic
while promoting a business both day and night.
As businesses have become more brand-conscious and have experienced greater
pressure to stand out, illuminated signs have gained in popularity. While
the key appeal of illuminated signage is that a business is able to market
its products and services in all kinds of weather and 24 hours a day,
research has shown that this signage can also benefit the community in
which a business is operating.
History of illuminated signage
In the past, illuminated signs were seen as a way of adding glitz and
glamour to a business. For this reason illuminated signs became the vogue
in the entertainment industry, where businesses like casinos, theatres
and nightclubs could be seen flashing their logos across the evening sky.
Today, many other businesses have started to appreciate the value of professional-looking,
well-designed and strategically placed illuminated signs. These signs
can be seen in shopping centres, at industrial sites and in various hotels
and restaurants, and are used for basic functions like highlighting a
new product or drawing clients to various service points, entrances and
exits.
Benefits for a business
With the advent of new technologies, more businesses are able to enjoy the benefits of illuminated signage at a fraction of the cost. Where neon and fluorescent lamps were widely used before, nowadays a variety of illumination methods are available – using LED lighting.
The advantage of LED display signage is that it is easy to install and maintain, as well as highly durable and energy-efficient. LED lighting is used in interior and exterior menu boxes, in projected lighting boxes on store fronts and on 3D lettering and channelling which comes in a variety of shapes, colours and fonts. Today illuminated signage is also more interactive, incorporating digital clock and temperature features, animation and simple changing-text displays that give greater visibility and accessibility to a business.
Benefits for the community
On another level, illuminated signage is gaining appreciation for the role it can play in communities. People are drawn to well-lit areas and businesses with illuminated signage are often the draw card that give clients a greater sense of security and serve as an indirect deterrent to crime. In this way illuminated signage is a veritable beacon for both a business and its clients.
