A Window Into Glyphics Shop Front Redesign #3: Hand Eye Logo
At Glyphics, our shop front window isn't just our favourite spot for a bit of people watching. It’s a glass canvas to spark curiosity about signage and showcase who we are, offering a glimpse into the creative energy within our studio. This time we took the opportunity to play with our own identity, seeing our logo take on a new lease of life for the interim.
Situated in dynamic Shoreditch, we embarked on an evolution of our own - a short term redesign of our iconic hand eye logo. Our aim was to enjoy the process, refresh our visual presence, reinforce our commitment to innovation and reflect the community we’re part of. We share the thinking, approach and craft behind our latest window installation.
Stick or twist?
For this shop front brief, we posed ourselves a question often asked of creative studios: how to take something familiar and make it stand out again while ensuring it still resonates? While the hand and eye remain central to our identity, we challenged our lead designer, Damian, to have fun with our logo for a minute and reimagine it without losing sight of its original meaning.
Revisiting The Hand of Hamsa Symbol
Over the past four decades, our logo has had a likeness to the Hand of Hamsa - a protective talisman deeply rooted in Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian traditions. To us, the open gesture symbolises approachability and warmth, while the eye embodies perception and awareness; core principles of intentional design. Looking at the composition of this ancient motif through a Shoreditch-inspired lens meant we were able to compose a current concept for an albeit temporary installation.
Shoreditch As Aesthetic Inspiration
This window concept loosely draws from the eclectic artistry of Shoreditch and the surrounds - from the Bangladeshi patterns of Brick Lane to a kaleidoscope of graffiti, and the layers upon layers of poster campaigns wheat pasted across the local tapestry. With its graphic style, this print-like vinyl aims to echo something of the area’s morphing wall-scape, bringing a semblance of its fleeting nature while capturing a genuine sense of place.
Patterns, Texture and Typography
Each separate finger and part of the palm features a unique repeat pattern inspired by the latticing of henna, precise geometric shapes of paste-ups or stencil work reminiscent of street art. We've managed to work in one of our stock glass manifestation prints too. Around the outside of the hand, sunburst lines add a sense of energy, in a nod to the cultural pulse of Shoreditch.
Through the strategic use of symmetry and negative space, these elements remain distinctive yet converge to create a cohesive story. 'Black'-and-white visuals ensure the piece grabs attention, even from a distance.
As for the typographic details, the etched-look signature disrupts the image - bringing a bit of demonstrative spontaneity to the design, while the formal text below keeps things structured and functional. We played around with this mix to capture the dual nature of signage: creative expression meets clear communication.
Materials and Craftsmanship
The work was created using precision-cut vinyl with a reverse adhesive application, applied internally to protect the artwork while intending to seamlessly integrate it with the glass facade. This is a method that ensures crisp lines and stand-out clarity, allowing the intricacies of the sign - such as the radiating beams - to be highlighted in varying lighting conditions.
High-Contrast Vinyl, Low-Key Statement
For this Glyphics shop front, we intended to build a bold concept in understated homage to our environment, drawing viewers in by the spirit of the visual. The final installation invites interaction with our philosophy as makers; of bridging tradition with modernity, form with fluidity, and utility with artistry. This project highlights our journey in creative signage and craftsmanship, and showcases how thoughtful design can transform everyday spaces into meaningful forms of communication.
Simple to install and easy to remove, vinyl offers the flexibility to experiment and refresh. As a result, we regularly offer new visual experiences to passers-by, and A Window into Glyphics explores how evolving signage in this way can fuse brand identity with local context, turning shopfronts like ours into recognisable touchpoints, woven into the aesthetic of a place.
As part of Shoreditch's ecosystem, our window is a small way to contribute to and connect with our community. With that said, it goes beyond enabling us to participate in the urban experience and engage with the flow of people along Leonard Street - we hope to inspire businesses to see the potential of their own spaces and solidify their presence in their own setting.
FAQs - Vinyl Window Display
The design for this window aimed to breathe new life into our hand and eye logo while capturing the eclectic spirit of Shoreditch.
Drawing on the rich and varied elements of the area's vibrant visual culture - from street art and graffiti to paste-ups and intricate Bangladeshi henna patterns, we blended contemporary design with authentic local influences. This approach allowed us to showcase Glyphics' creative philosophy, demonstrate our skillset and create a piece that truly resonates.
The project was as much about contributing to and engaging with our surroundings, as it was about reinforcing our brand identity as an example for the businesses we serve. Ultimately, it's an opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of window signage.
Window marketing is an effective way to capture foot traffic and engage potential customers before they even step inside. It allows businesses to update the very fabric of their building while showcasing branding, messaging, promotions or artistic elements in a visually compelling way.
Vinyl is an incredibly versatile medium, particularly for window signage. It can be printed on or cut into any shape, applied and removed with ease, and is available in both opaque and translucent finishes. Its blend of endless design possibilities, practicality and cost-effectiveness makes vinyl an ideal choice for businesses seeking bespoke, on-brand, and flexible signage solutions.
Cut-vinyl was chosen for its sharp, clean lines, ensuring that the intricate patterns and bold contrasts of our design remained crisp and visually striking.
Reverse adhesive allows the design to be applied from the inside of the glass, protecting it from external factors such as weather and vandalism. This also gives the artwork a seamless integration with the storefront, maintaining a polished and professional appearance.
Vinyl signage is very simple to install and remove, making it perfect for businesses that want to switch up their displays regularly. This is particularly useful for temporary promotions, sales events or seasonal changes.
For more durable, long-term installations, vehicle-grade vinyl offers increased resilience against wear and tear.
As demonstrated in this shopfront makeover, our design team brings playfulness and practicality together to produce custom signs that meet your brief, whether you want them to build upon your own ideas or to start a concept from scratch - a simple conversation with us can begin work on bespoke signage for you today.
Of course. We wholeheartedly encourage the customisation of signage. Whether the designs are client-led or in-house, we take pride in building bespoke signs for you. Here's how to start the process:
Initial Designs: Begin by sending us your draft ideas. This could include any drawings, digital concepts, or a simple description of what you envision for your sign.
Consultation: Our team will review your design, assessing its feasibility considering factors such as material suitability, fabrication techniques, and installation considerations.
Recommendations: If aspects of your design aren't feasible, don't worry - we will propose adjustments or alternatives to help bring your idea to life, while maintaining the design's core elements.
Share your design ideas with us today, and let's bring your vision to life with tailor-made , high-impact signage.
Whether you have a fully-formed concept or just the spark of an idea, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Our team will assess your sign’s intended environment and purpose, working closely with you throughout to develop designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional - delivering optimal solutions that meet your needs.
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of a project but we strive to accommodate your schedule. We'll provide an estimate during the consultation phase and keep you updated throughout the process.
Our range at Glyphics includes options like wall mounted, freestanding or post mounted logos and lettering, as well as pavement signs, projecting signs, hanging signs and panel signs, from directories through to plaques - all viewable here. The type of signage that's best for your needs will depend on your specific goals, location and budget. Reach out to us to discuss your bespoke signage solution.
