Connect with us

Dimensional Signs

SEGD Member Q and A: Gary Anzalone

Precision Signs (Amityville, NY) talks about his company’s evolution

Published

on

Forty years ago, the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) was a fledgling organization that attempted to impress upon architects, general contractors, property owners and managers, and other interested parties, the importance of signage and environmental graphics – not as utilitarian identifiers of facility amenities, but rather as essential branding and placemaking tools.
Now the Society for Experiential Graphic Design, it’s grown into a broad-based organization that represents designers, fabricators, vendors, academics and end users, all of whom share the common interests of staying informed about evolving technologies, materials, issues in dealing with governmental entities and general contractors, and numerous topics that impact built-environment graphic treatments.
Several SEGD-member designers and fabricators from diverse backgrounds have graciously answered questions about trends in the environmental-graphics market. In an industry whose diversity grows daily, one voice can’t speak as an all-encompassing industry authority, but these experts embody the industry’s breadth.

 

Gary Anzalone, Precision Signs (Amityville, NY)

Other than computerization, what are some changes you’ve seen in the industry?
Our clients’ expectations about sign systems’ performance and delivery have significantly changed. They expect custom signage to be delivered in just a day or two, as if we were providing an off-the-shelf product. Also, they want modular, flexible systems they can maintain in-house to cut expenses. In the past, a customer would wait a week or two for a reorder. Now, they want it faster and cheaper. Also, instead of screenprinted or engraved nameplates, customers increasingly opt for inkjet-printed graphics due to durability and efficiency.

What types of clients do you most commonly serve?
Signage and graphics for corporate environments represent the largest share of our clients, with healthcare properties second and higher-education facilities third. Hotel, museums, retail stores and others are occasional customers. But, the only real differences are slightly different aesthetic treatments. They’re all fabricated with the same materials, and by the same equipment and staff.

What equipment do you maintain in your shop? What do you outsource?
We maintain a pretty full stable of tools: waterjet cutter, laser engravers, chemical-etching equipment, sandblasting machinery, welders, printers, plotters and the like. Given our craftsmen’s expertise, we work with a diverse range of materials and processes. About the only sign types we outsource are cast, prismatic letters and large, exterior signs.

Do you primarily handle design/build projects, or collaborate with design firms?
We work with an array of designers: graphic, interior and industrial, as well as with architects. For small projects, we’ll handle full design/builds, but we prefer to work with the design community because it’s ability to educate clients makes our work easier. However, for some major projects, the client requests that we handle programming and scheduling to reduce the designer’s higher billing rate.We’re still working mostly with the standby, architectural-sign materials – brass, bronze, aluminum, stainless steel, wood, glass and plastics – although more designers are specifying digitally printed wallcoverings. A successful designer/fabricator relationship stems from one thing: communication. There should never be a surprise with cost, delivery, finishes or tolerances. I like having a designer’s creativity challenge our shop’s production limits.
 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe

Advertisement

Most Popular