2009 International Sign Contest: Electric Sign Systems

FIRST PLACE/BEST OF SHOW

Forrest City Enterprises commissioned the development of this $1.2 million project for a Wesley Chapel, FL lifestyle center. The main-ID sign features a sculptural “W” that resembles blades of grass. The “grass” comprises a welded-aluminum frame enveloped by Matthews Paint acrylic polyurethane-coated fiberglass and illuminated with a Phillips Colorblast 12 multi-colored lighting system. Fabricators installed the SloanLED-lit, translucent-acrylic letters on separate curved raceways. A serpentine ribbon, which comprises Wrisco aluminum returns and acrylic faces decorated with 3M Graphics Market Center translucent film. Cooper Carry’s design strategically places landscaping between the two copy lines to create a more organic feel.

A secondary entrance sign features ½-in.-thick, non-lit blades of “grass,” and the LED-lit, acrylic letters use 3M film to enhance the illumination. A 10-ft.-tall, pedestrian directory features a built-in, Hydrel lighting fixture and several diameters of aluminum pipe coated with Matthews acrylic polyurethane paint to reinforce the blade iconography. Similarly constructed vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding amenities round out the system.

SECOND PLACE

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Movie theatres of pre-multiplex vintage enhanced the cinematic experience with stately marquees, murals, posters and other paraphernalia. Miracle Signs helped this Moore, OK-based boutique theater capture that bygone mystique. The 16 x 160-ft. marquee features 8-ft.-tall channel letters and more than 1,000 linear ft. of neon controlled by an electronic animator beneath. The illumination comprises Voltarc and EGL Co. Inc. neon tubing, as well as Lecip and Ventex Technology transformers. The ticket booth and restaurant entrances features open-face channel letters with stainless-steel returns, and concession-stand signage comprises backlit-neon, Evonik Industries’ Acrylite® acrylic panels and illuminated, metallic-finish logos and columns. The Warren’s balcony features HP TurboJet 8300-printed 3M Graphics Market Center Controltac™ vinyl murals, accented by 600 linear ft. of snow-white neon. Also, 320 ft. of horizon-blue neon highlights the building’s painted dome.

THIRD PLACE

These elements embellish the food court at Mashantucket, CT’s lavish MGM Grand at Foxwoods casino/resort. The entry-sign system comprises 2-in.-deep, rear wash-lit, US Sign stainless-steel letters. The program also includes polycarbonate-backed, Steel Art stainless-steel letters that cover fluorescent-lit sign cabinets; and a fabricated, aluminum-plate projecting sign coated with Akzo Nobel acrylic-polyurethane paint and fitted with clear, acrylic inserts diffused with 3M Graphics Market Center 70% diffuser vinyl. ArtFX also bedecked the food court’s restaurants. The Chinese outlet features 2-in.-deep, polished brass US Sign letters mounted on an oversized, spraypainted abacus that comprises 23-in.-diameter beads made from glued punch bowls that were sanded and finished with plaster and Akzo Nobel’s acrylic-polyurethane coating. The seafood restaurant features 3-in.-deep, open-faced channel letters with clear, red neon and hanging light-globes juxtaposed with a yellowfin-tuna replica fabricated by Great Fish Reproduction Studio (Bolivar, MO).

HONORABLE MENTION

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HONORABLE MENTION