Face It

The 2018 Signs of the Times International Sign Contest, our 40th iteration, involved several new and combined categories. We added slots for mixed media and best original sign design by a sign company, and received many entries for these and the others. Choosing the first-, second- and third-place winners for each was a daunting task. Luckily, we had three excellent and efficient judges.

Alexander Isley is the creative director of Alexander Isley Inc. Designers (Redding, CT); Gary Johnson owns and produces award-winning signs for The Great American Sign Co. Inc. (Basking Ridge, NJ); and Elaine Scrima is vice president of operations, GSP (Clearwater, FL). Our thanks to them for considering the entrants and selecting our winners.

Our top prize, however, was clear. The Best of Show award went to Design Communications Ltd.’s (DCL, Boston) “As We Are,” a 14-ft.-tall freestanding sculpture not unlike an Easter Island statue. But instead of the weathered, blank stare of the island megaliths, “As We Are” uses LEDs to project the faces of visitors to its home in Ohio’s Greater Columbus Convention Center. Passersby can enter near the back of the sculpture where 30 special cameras photograph them. This high-tech project stood out, a head above the rest.

In the meantime, we thank the companies who entered the contest and congratulate those who won. So, without further ado, we give you the 2018 Signs of the Times International Sign Contest.

*Click here to go to the first category, Best Original Design by a Sign Company.