In November 2021, Philippe Rondepierre at Chamber Practise in Dundee contacted several signmakers. He needed advice for new shop signs in Brechin, Angus. Brechin is in the northeast of Scotland and an area for Chamber Practise’s expanding business. I replied to Phillipe’s email with a list of questions.
‘I liked that you got back to me with lots of questions. Everyone else just wanted to give me the cheapest price’, said Philippe.
I had an approximate cost in mind when considering Philippe’s enquiry. But we were nowhere near pricing at this stage. First, we had to find solutions for his challenging project.
Philippe designed artwork for Chamber Practise’s new shopfront. The artwork required refinement and attention to technical details such as how the signs would be manufactured.
I asked Philippe for brand guidelines. Guidelines are crucial to ensure consistency across a business’s visual identity. We began to investigate how to improve Philippe’s shopfront design and in doing so. introduce consistency to Chamber Practise’s visual identity system.
Following a site survey, I determined options for the signs and window graphics manufacture and installation. After feedback from Philippe, I provided my indicative quote. My quote was approved and subsequently, the project brief broadened.
Reproducing colour across a variety of materials and finishes can be a minefield, especially on exterior signage.
I advised Philippe about paints, vinyl, inks, and finishes. As well as design, durability, and costs.
The Brechin shopfront signs inadvertently became the master copy for future Chamber Practise signs and other marketing collateral. Decisions made for this project would influence every other part of Chamber Practise’s visual identity.
Existing signage would first be removed above the Brechin shop entrance.
Philippe understood aluminium tray signs and initially asked about maximum sizes. I explained the properties of different sheet materials and how tray signs are made. At nearly eight metres in length, we wanted as few joins as possible.
I sought advice from John Rennie. John occasionally makes sign trays for me. We decided the best product would be made out of welded aluminium and chose to subcontract Smith to make the aluminium tray.
Smith is a sign trade manufacturer and the oldest sign maker in the UK. Their knowledge and expertise are exceptional. I’ve worked with Smith for many years and trust their ability to manufacture signs to a high standard.
The tray was made in two halves and delivered to me in January 2022. I flooded the face of the tray with rich purple vinyl and wrapped the edges. Vinyl lettering was then applied on top.
Close to the shop’s opening date, I visited over one weekend.
Day one was spent cleaning the glass and applying all of the text and bands of colour. Day two was spent applying the etched vinyl on the glass. The etched vinyl provides privacy yet allows light to pass through.
Window graphics made the shopfront come alive and look more like an office. I felt the logomark was overused and encouraged Philippe to consider reducing the amount of content on the shopfront. However, Philippe preferred to include the mark as decoration.
With kept an eye on the forecast and arranged a date to install the fascia sign. I carefully packaged each half of the sign tray to protect the thin aluminium in transit.
John and I have worked together for many years and we understand each other’s working methods. John’s skills include signmaking and installing large signs. We were both ready for the installation and our process began with building my scaffold towers.
The fascia was tight. The angles which hold the tray to the surface had to be fixed inside the hardwood edged plywood fascia. The plywood had to be the same rectangular shape as the aluminium tray, or the sign wouldn’t fit. There was little tolerance for manoeuvre.
My measurements were spot on. The tray joined and each vertical edge gently kissed together. It was a beautiful moment.
Elated, both John and I dismantled the scaffold, leaving Brechin and Chamber Practise with their new shopfront sign.
Get in touch to discuss your signs in Brechin.