As many of you know, we’ve been gradually improving the visual identity and navigability of our different buildings and locations. That means it’s time to talk signage—not just one sign, but a handful of new or updated ones across the CAT campus.
This page is meant to gather thoughts, clarify options, and set the stage for decision-making on a few specific signage projects. Some are straightforward, others have a few design or budget tradeoffs we’ll want to think through. If you read nothing else, scroll to the bottom where I summarize the questions we need to answer before moving ahead.
What We Need to Decide:
Here’s the full list of open questions I’m hoping to get your input on:
- Logo fit on the pole sign: Are we okay breaking from brand font/lockup to improve fit and visibility?
- Lighting: Should we light the pole sign or stick with a simple static version?
- Digital messaging: Do we want to add a scrolling LED sign underneath the pole sign?
- Design preference: Light background or dark?
- Plaque style for the Navigation Center: Bronze or glass/acrylic? Should we include “Housing Outreach”?
- Dental office building & anything else: Do we want signage anywhere else?
Pole Sign
Blank double-sided pole sign facing the street that’s currently doing zero work for us in terms of visibility.
The design challenge:
The sign is 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall—an aspect ratio that really does not play well with our existing brand lockups. Most of our logos are vertically oriented or squared up, and they just don’t fill the space well without looking either too small or too squished. So far I’ve tried:
- Cropping the logo to force it to fit (ehhh… not ideal)
- Rearranging the name and omitting the logo altogether
- Using an entirely different typeface that visually works really well but is technically “off-brand”
Of all the options, the non-brand typeface actually looks the best in this context. It fits the space naturally and is clear from a distance. Personally, I’m good with going that route—but is the organization okay with making that kind of branding exception for the sake of legibility and proportion?
A few other things to weigh:
Do we want this sign to be lit?
Our cheapest and simplest option is to print a weather-resistant vinyl decal and apply it directly to the existing plastic panel. That would mean the sign isn’t illuminated, and honestly, a lot of businesses and offices in the area don’t bother with lighting either.
On the other hand, we could refurbish it more formally: print onto new backlit plexiglass and replace the old fluorescent lights inside with energy-efficient LEDs. That gets us a cleaner, more professional nighttime look, but it’s obviously a more involved and expensive process.
Should we add a digital component?
A full 4×8’ digital LED sign is cool—but expensive (think $10K or more). That’s probably more than we want to take on right now.
However, a smaller scrolling marquee—just a 12” to 16” tall LED display that we mount underneath the static sign—would be a lot more affordable. It would let us post real-time updates (events, program info, even weather alerts) and would increase visibility without breaking the bank.
Dark or light background?
This is more aesthetic than strategic, but I’ve mocked up versions of both. Do we prefer a dark background with light lettering or a lighter overall look? Let’s pick what feels the most readable and on-brand.
Pole Sign Options at a Glance:
| Option | What it is | Ballpark Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinyl decal on existing panel (not lit) | $500–$1,000 |
| 2 | New printed plexiglass panels | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 3 | Upgrade to LED lighting (replace old fluorescents) | $1,000–$2,000 |
| 4 | Add a scrolling LED marquee underneath | $1,000–$3,500 |
| 5 | Full digital display (LED panel replacing the entire face) | $10,000+ |
Pole Sign Mockups
DuBach Navigation Center (Housing Intake)
We’d like to install a commemorative plaque at the entrance to the Navigation Center, naming it in honor of Dianne DuBach.
Plaque Desgin
- Bronze-style plaque: Traditional, feels more official or historical.
- Glass/acrylic with standoffs: Modern, clean, and blends with the building.
Both mockups are ready to view. The other open question is whether the plaque should also say “Housing Outreach” somewhere more prominently, just to help with wayfinding and public understanding.
Navigation Center Dedication Plaque Mockups
Family Resource Center
What’s the need?
The sign currently on the front of the Family Resource Center (brick wall, 17th Street side) is a single 4×8 foot sheet of painted plywood. It’s served its time, but it’s clearly due for a replacement. We now have an opportunity to update both the look and the material.
Two directions we could go:
- Option A: One big new sign This would mimic what’s already there, just in updated form. We’d use a modern, weather-resistant material like ACM (aluminum composite) and design a full graphic with the CAT logo and site name in one layout.
- Option B: Two stacked signs Instead of one large panel, we could break it into two: a top panel for the logo and name (Community Action Team), and a lower panel that names the location (Family Resource Center) and includes contact info like phone number and website. This might look cleaner and could offer more flexibility if something changes later—plus, we wouldn’t have to squash everything into a single horizontal space.
Family Resource Center Sign Mockups
Other Signage
Now that we’ve acquired the old dental office building, do we want to put up signage right away—or wait until we know exactly how it’s going to be used?
Even a simple “Community Action Team” sign could help people understand that this building is part of our campus. But we don’t need to rush if there’s uncertainty about long-term use.
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