Golden Gate Bound

By the time you read this, I’ll be en route to, or have already arrived, in San Francisco. Though I may do so while I’m there, my primary purpose is not to navigate Lombard Street or eat better sushi than I can find here in Cincinnati. I’ll be attending the Society for Environmental Graphic Design’s (SEGD) annual conference and tradeshow, which, in keeping with the event’s surroundings, is titled Above the Fog. Hundreds of EGD professionals, sign fabricators, material vendors, specifiers and others will attend to learn about industry trends and delve into numerous fascinating case studies that underscore the possibilities that emerge when architects, designers and fabricators embrace possibilities rather than limitations.

One planned conference event that piques my interest is the Process Learning Series, which will conduct separate presentations: ADA and Accessibility, which will address how the latest ADA changes will impact environmental design; Documentation and Revit, which will demonstrate how building-information-modeling software can design structural components in 3-D; and EGD and Technology, which will outline how dynamic displays, mobile apps and other interactive platforms can enhance an environment’s user experience.

I’m also eager to meet Clive Roux, who was appointed SEGD’s CEO late last year. Previously, he’d served as CEO of the Industrial Designers Society of America (industrial design integrates applied art and science to improve a product’s ergonomics or functionality), and he’s worked a product-design manager for Royal Philips Electronics. Given his background, he presumably has some definite ideas about the implementation of dynamic digital displays within built environments. I’ll interview him at the conference, and will share the Q and A in the ST Update section of our August issue.

It was encouraging to hear about SEGD and the International Sign Assn. (ISA) collaboratively advocating for ADA-sign regulations amenable to the industry. Designers and fabricators would do well to remember their joint interests. Numerous entities want to tightly regulate signage, and it would help to have designers and fabricators speaking in one voice on the industry’s behalf. Also, many technologies and materials appear poised to transform the industry would benefit both, and a cooperative approach in disseminating information and educating members about the ramifications could prove helpful.

As with any conference or tradeshow, I look forward to connecting with longtime industry friends, as well as meeting new ones, and seeing what new products or trends are discussed. And, a city with such rich culture and history as San Francisco provides an ideal backdrop. And, if “Fog City”’s weather cooperates with enough sun, I hope to also have a gallery of San Francisco signage in a future issue as well.