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February 2006
Celebrating sign industry achievement in style
If you are a signmaker and you’ve completed a project that you are really proud of over the course of the past year then it’s time to prepare your entry for the 2006 Sign Industry Awards.
Now in its fifth year, the Awards are designed to promote and recognise excellence in sign making of all kinds and at every level. No less than 12 sign making awards will be presentedat the ceremony which this year will take place in the magnificent Holt Suite at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, on Wednesday 10th May – the middle day of the Sign UK exhibition. (If you are staying over in Birmingham for the exhibition, the Awards offer the opportunity for a great night out with all those people from the industry you never get time to meet otherwise…see inside for ticket details).
The awards, which are organised under the auspices of the BSGA, have grown in both importance and prestige over the past five years. In the first year there were just over 20 entries. Last year there were over 150 and they came from every type and size of sign maker and, whilst some of the best known and biggest names in the industry were amongst the winners, so too were a considerable number of smaller signmakers –notably Sign of the Times who took the Sign of the Year and the Interior Sign of the Year awardsand Graffiti Signs who won the Small Signmaker of the Year award. “The moral is that if the work is good enough and you make the effort to enter, you have the chance of winning whatever the size of your business,” said June Robinson, BSGA President.
COMMERCIAL SIGN OF THE YEAR
Considers signage for commercial and industrial premises and sports stadia. Could be a single sign or a roll-out scheme over a number of sites.
VEHICLE LIVERY OF THE YEAR
The potential for vehicle liveries given modern techniques and materials is virtually limitless. The judges will be looking for creativity or the implementation of an effective and eyecatching CI programme.
INTERIOR SIGN OF THE YEAR
Signage doesn’t stop at the outside of a building as last year’s winner of the Sign of the Year can testify. Hotels, offices, transport terminals, public buildings all need internal signs and the judges will be looking for those that make a lasting impression.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGN OF THE YEAR
The award for larger scale signs that are created as architectural features and combine the skills of the construction engineer with those of the signmaker.
WAYFINDING SCHEME OF THE YEAR
The practical application of signage and the requirement is for a well designed, visually attractive scheme that does the job of getting people to where they need to be. Special consideration will be given to entries that cater for the blind and partially sighted.
ILLUMINATED SIGN OF THE YEAR
Signs at night…. be they neon, cold cathode tubes, special effects or, increasingly, LEDs. Whatever the technology, we’re looking for a sign that leaves a lasting impression.
RETAIL SIGN OF THE YEAR
Signs are one of the most important tools in the retailer’s marketing armoury. The winner is likely to be a scheme that covers both external and internal signs and is seen to help deliver the retailer’s message to its customers.
THE CRAFTSMAN AWARD
An award dedicated to the craftsman skills still necessary in many signage programmes. Originally conceived an award for those who keep traditional skills alive but now also recognising the craft elements is modern sign making techniques.
THE DIGITAL SIGN OF THE YEAR
Digital technology has made an incredible impact on signmaking and this award recognises the fact. The panel will be looking for really impressive use of digital imaging in producing a sign or signage scheme.
THE SIGN DESIGN AWARD
The award that recognises that behind every great sign there is a creative genius. This category is open to specialist design businesses and to signmakers who offer their own in-house design facilities.
SIGN BY A SMALL SIGNMAKER
A category designed to recognise achievement by smaller sign businesses – the largest sector in the industry – without having to compete against the resources of the big guys. Open to any business with an annual turnover of less than £2 million. (You can enter this category and any other relevant category with the same project).
SIGN OF THE YEAR
Simply the best. Chosen by the judges from all entries received in every category.
OTHER AWARDS
SIGN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
An award for innovation in and development of sign businesses. A separate panel of judges will look at confidential written submissions.
THE INNOVATION AWARD
Looks at innovation in terms of equipment and materials developed for the sign industry. Judged by a panel of signmakers.
SIGN STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Highlighting the work now being done in providing organised training for people in the sign industry, the award will be presented to a student who has made outstanding progress.
THE BSGA SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In the gift of the BSGA but designed to recognise the achievements of an individual or group of people who have made a significant contribution to the industry.
For full details on each category and now to enter, visit www.signindustryawards.com
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS FRIDAY, 7th APRIL, 2006.
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