Signs are an unavoidable part of our lives. We need them to get from one place to another when driving in the car, to advertise events and information, to learn the daily specials at our favorite restaurant, to know whether to push or pull a door to avoid making a fool of ourselves and to know if our car will get towed for parking in that spot that looks suspiciously available. Signs are all around us. And while most of them look similar to one another, sometimes they are made by great designers who ensure that they stand out and get their point across in the most effective way.

To learn more about the importance of great signage, we reached out to Tim Harrelson, CEO of the South Carolina based company The Sign Chef. “Between the physical world and the online world, the competition for attention is at an all time high,” Tim told Bored Panda. “Simultaneously, attention spans seem to be at an all time low. Our senses are constantly being bombarded! Moving forward, organizations need to be strategic in how the content is displayed on their signs.”

We also asked Tim how the process of designing signs works for him and his company. “Most graphic designers start with the size of the sign - then the lettering & graphics are added. Think backwards," he explained. "A more strategic approach can be taken by having the design reverse engineered for maximum impact. This design strategy starts with the viewing distance. How far away does your target audience need to be able to read the sign?”

“Once the distance is measured, a Letter Sizing Calculator can be used to scientifically determine the very best letter sizes,” Tim continued. “As an example, what is the best letter size if the viewing distance is 110 feet? When you type 110 feet into the calculator, you’ll instantly see 22 inches is recommended for maximum impact - easy.”

We also asked Tim what the most important factors to consider are when designing a sign. “The legibility of the message is the single most important factor. Of equal importance is the message itself. What is the core message people need to grasp in an instant?”

Next, we asked Tim if he’s ever been able to create any particularly exciting or special signs. “We recently created the World’s Largest Dibond Sign Display for Mahopac High School in New York,” he shared with pride. In his email, Tim attached a photo of the impressive sign that looks easily over 15 feet tall, featuring the school’s logo of a massive M with an arrow across it. He also shared a beautiful retro, flashing neon sign to go on Route 66 advertising Eufloria dispensary in Oklahoma.   

If you’re in need of a beautiful sign, be sure to check out The Sign Chef’s website right here. They are experts are creating anything from yard signs to neon signs, so they can certainly make you something that would be worthy of a spot on this list!

We hope you’re enjoying these clever and fascinating signs from around the world. If you’re a graphic designer, perhaps you’re even gaining some inspiration! Keep upvoting your favorite signs, and then let us know in the comments if you’ve ever seen a sign that really stuck with you. Then if your appetite for signs still isn’t satiated after finishing this list, you can find our last article on the same topic right here.