Hotly Contested

Since 1978, ST has conducted sign contests. We’ve always relished the opportunity to showcase some of the most innovative projects our industry has to offer. And, of course, the competition serves as a timeline for the industry’s evolution. Most early-era entries featured handpainted signs, neon letters and fluorescent cabinets; modern submission reflect the saturation of inkjet printing and LED illumination.

2015 INTERNATIONAL SIGN CONTEST ENTRY FORM HERE

However, creativity remains a constant, as a review of last year’s victors attests. Amigo Arts (Monroe, WA) provided a distinctive winner in the Sign Systems category, which also claimed the Best of Show designation. The project, a sign program for Cal’s Classic American Kitchen in Kent, WA, features exposed-neon lettering, welded-metal components, rustic wall graphics and a wide array of other components. Amigo Arts proprietor Pablo Guerrero said, “No element of design, right down to the sculpted ice cubes, was overlooked in developing Cal’s theme. He wanted vintage, industrial signage that functions as art to tell Cal’s story.”

Other winners showcase the industry’s diversity. House of Signs (Frisco, CO) made presumably the strongest showing in contest history; the shop won six awards, which included two First Place prizes, for its creative array of routed-HDU monument, freestanding and building-mounted signage. Sonny Franks, proprietor of Sign Creations (Lilburn, GA) claimed victory for his trompe l’oeil mural painted on a Lilburn building. Dan Sawatzky, owner of Imagination Corp. (Chilliwack, BC, Canada) earned yet another honor for one of his sculptural creations, and the electric-sign categories affirmed the market’s breadth with LED-, neon- and fluorescent-lit winners.

From electronic message centers to murals, from exhibit graphics to monument signs, the 2015 International Sign Contest comprises the full span of our dynamic industry. For off-the-wall projects that defy easy labels, we have the Unique Signs category.

And, for the third year, we’ll be presenting our Readers’ Choice Award. The judges’ opening-round scores will be used to determine the 10 electric and 10 non-electric signs that will create the field, but our readers and online users will cast votes in a survey to determine the six finalists. One of the six will emerge as the Readers’ Choice Champion. Last year, Thomas Sign & Awning Co. claimed the prize for its “Lady Liberty” bank sign.

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The deadline looms on January 19, so take your shot at victory and enter. To access the contest entry form, CLICK HERE. Fame and glory could be yours!