SET THE SCENE

Arts and culture institutions - spanning museums, galleries, zoos, theatres, libraries and exhibitions - are houses of exploration and learning that are home to diverse audiences of different interests and unique needs. At Glyphics we see them as magical microcosms made possible only through effective communication and intuitive navigation, which by design makes signage instrumental in shaping them into the immersive, educational and inclusive environments they're meant to be. From a plaque nestled beside a museum display that carries the weight of history to a colourful sign in a zoo that builds up the joy and excitement of discovery - the smallest signs contribute to and complete a larger canvas of curiosity and creativity. 

A view on the roofs with a square black sign on a white wall.
A view on the roofs with a square black sign on a white wall.
A view on the roofs with a square black sign on a white wall.
A view on the roofs with a square black sign on a white wall.

HOW CAN SIGNAGE BEST SERVE MY ARTS & CULTURE VENUE?

Skillfully crafted and strategically positioned, our wayfinding signs give rhythm to your symphony of spaces, demarcating zones and visually guiding visitors, volunteers and staff through the labyrinth of exhibits, rooms, and outdoor areas.

Our brand signage is about more than utility - it radiates a warm welcome, magnifies your institutional identity and is inseparable from the venue's fabric - at times even becoming an extension of the art and culture encapsulated within.

Whether you lean towards minimalist signage or prefer signs that boldly speak your language, for us, outfitting arts and culture venues is a craft in itself, intertwining form with function. Scroll on to see in situ examples of our wayfinding signs and brand signage, or click below to explore the general materials and build types that we offer at Glyphics.

Wayfinding Signs

We optimise the use of your space by signposting different areas and directing visitors around your venue with ease, enriching their experience and nurturing a sense of connection to the environment. Whether its navigational signs pointing out amenities, safety signs indicating emergency exits, or exhibit identifiers contextualising your collection - our solutions are tailored to your needs, available in various materials to align with your building and branding.

Thanks to years of experience walking and working out these spaces, we excel at configuring and kitting out arts and culture venues, and offer an added consultation service to design your wayfinding strategy - collaborating with designers, events organisers and facilities managers to establish visitor routes, before materialising them with physical signage.

A CNC cut and orange painted shape of a tiger printed with white cut vinyl lettering works well in this environment
A large aluminium composite printed vinyl panel on posts at London Zoo showing a picture of a penguin and welcoming visitors.
One of Glyphics custom signs. A brass plaque with dark wood surround is engraved and placed outside an enclosure at London Zoo. Perfect outdoor signs from Glyphics
A close up of the ZSL history tunnel showing a wood shelf holding several black and white pictures of HM The Queens' involvement visits of the zoo and separated by blue background caption boards
A CNC cut and orange painted shape of a tiger printed with white cut vinyl lettering works well in this environment
A large aluminium composite printed vinyl panel on posts at London Zoo showing a picture of a penguin and welcoming visitors.
One of Glyphics custom signs. A brass plaque with dark wood surround is engraved and placed outside an enclosure at London Zoo. Perfect outdoor signs from Glyphics
A close up of the ZSL history tunnel showing a wood shelf holding several black and white pictures of HM The Queens' involvement visits of the zoo and separated by blue background caption boards
A CNC cut and orange painted shape of a tiger printed with white cut vinyl lettering works well in this environment
A large aluminium composite printed vinyl panel on posts at London Zoo showing a picture of a penguin and welcoming visitors.
One of Glyphics custom signs. A brass plaque with dark wood surround is engraved and placed outside an enclosure at London Zoo. Perfect outdoor signs from Glyphics
A close up of the ZSL history tunnel showing a wood shelf holding several black and white pictures of HM The Queens' involvement visits of the zoo and separated by blue background caption boards
A CNC cut and orange painted shape of a tiger printed with white cut vinyl lettering works well in this environment
A large aluminium composite printed vinyl panel on posts at London Zoo showing a picture of a penguin and welcoming visitors.
One of Glyphics custom signs. A brass plaque with dark wood surround is engraved and placed outside an enclosure at London Zoo. Perfect outdoor signs from Glyphics
A close up of the ZSL history tunnel showing a wood shelf holding several black and white pictures of HM The Queens' involvement visits of the zoo and separated by blue background caption boards
Brand Signage

Our signs are made bespoke to your organisation, incorporating elements from your design ethos such as your logo, colours, and typography throughout your venue. They materialise in myriad forms to mirror the dynamic nature of cultural spaces, from 3D logos and illuminated masterpieces to promotional graphics and artisanal touches that epitomise your identity.

Whether your institution resides in a historic building or a modern facility, we'll weave a sense of familiarity throughout with custom signage, striking a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and budget. If you need assistance in formulating and articulating your visual language before deciding on signage, we're on hand to help with our design consultation service.

Arts & Culture FAQs

How do your signs enhance the visitor experience in cultural venues?

Well designed and strategically placed signage creates a more immersive experience and engaging environment for visitors by providing clear and concise navigation, as well as offering insightful tidbits about exhibits. Whether you're looking for wayfinding signs or brand signage, we ensure our signs contribute to the overall look and feel of the space in line with your institution’s visual identity.

What types of signage do you build for arts and culture venues?

Anything you need - we craft wayfinding signs including informational displays and exhibit labels, as well as branding or promotional signs. Our signs can be made for the indoors or outdoors, from a diverse range of materials to best suit the aesthetic and functionality of your venue.

Will your signs align with the aesthetics of our exhibition or venue?

Absolutely. We work closely with your team to understand the character you’re after. This helps us design signage that seamlessly integrates with your space, whether that involves matching colours, incorporating specific design elements, or employing a certain artistic style.

Can you create signage that contributes to the inclusivity of our venue?

Yes, and we’re experienced in delivering signage that plays a vital role in making venues accessible. This can involve creating clear and easy-to-understand wayfinding signs, building signage with tactile features, providing essential information in multiple languages, or using symbols and pictograms that can be widely understood. 

WHAT MATERIALS can you build signs from?

We employ a wide range of materials for our signs, including but not limited to acrylic, glass, vinyl, neon, and various metals. The selection of material depends on the desired aesthetic, location, purpose, and budget.

We have an outdoor exhibit - can you provide signage that withstands weather conditions?

Yes, we can make signs made from robust materials designed to withstand various weather conditions. These signs are crafted not just to be durable, but also to align with your aesthetic.

Can you help us plan the placement of our signs for maximum effectiveness?

Definitely. As part of our wayfinding consultation service, we work with you to develop a comprehensive signage strategy that takes into account the flow of visitor traffic, key points of interest, and accessibility requirements. This helps ensure that your signs are not only well designed, but also effectively placed for optimum utility and impact. Contact us for more information.

Does Glyphics provide installation services for the signage?

Yes, we offer an end-to-end service that includes the design, production, and installation of your signage. Our skilled installation team will ensure that each sign is placed optimally for visibility and impact, while causing minimal disruption to your venue.

How do we begin with getting a sign made?

Our process commences with a comprehensive consultation, where we understand your institution, space, and objectives, and leverage our experience to help clarify these if they're not yet defined. Once we've agreed on the details, we design and fabricate your signs, ensuring they match your specifications and serve their purpose effectively. The final step is professional installation, where we bring the designs to life in your venue. Contact us to get going.

Working together with light artist Martin Richman, we created this installation for the generator at Loampit Vale - a landmark regeneration project in Lewisham by Barratt Homes
The careful craftsmanship and intricate details of this wooden hand painted sign are enhanced by the bright colours that convey the exotic feel of the lions' enclosure.
A custom blue plaque up in the courtyard of Strongroom in Shoreditch, celebrating its part in the Spice Girls song 'Wannabe'.
A bright red sign on a bright red wall.
This wayfinding sign blends flawlessly with the intense red walls. We've used vinyl lettering over painted metal for a perfect match.
Outdoor brass plaque cut to shape and chemically etched, filled with black paint and oven baked to create a unique sign that will withstand the test of time.
London Zoo asked us to create signage for the entrance of their new Penguin Beach enclosure. With no power source, we got creative and used wood, metal, vinyl and shimmer discs to create a playful sign inspired by the mischievous antics of this aquatic species.
A classic country village sign made of painted metal letters on a wooden post greets the visitors at the Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft in Sussex. Designed by Phil Baines Studio using the Gill Sans typeface connected to the famous resident of the village.
A custom made, post- mounted aluminium composite panel - these can be wrapped with cut or printed vinyl graphics and are ideal for outdoor signage.
A hand carved oak board and cut out oak leaves for London Zoo's daily schedule. They are teamed up with colourful, printed aluminium composite panels that are cleverly added or removed to display the event schedule for the day.
A discrete vinyl caption for the annual Lord Mayor's Show at the Guildhall, allowing all the details of this beautifully crafted golden carriage to remain visible behind the glass windows.
Our custom made leaf shapes, used to introduce each creature at ZSL's Animal Adventure section. We built the colourful frames by bending metal rods, powder coating them and inserting printed aluminium composite panels within.
Superb work on our new sign. As a team you were amazing.
Ben
Workspace London
Can I say that you and the guys have been exceptional. I want to thank everyone involved and can’t wait to work with you guys on the next project!
Lucie
Philcox Gray & Co, London
I received my 3D letters last week and put them straight up. The included template made my job really easy. The order process was painless and the team were really helpful. Will be using them again in the future as the product was absolutely fantastiac quality and delivery was faster than expected. Great company!
Paolo
MYXR, London
I feel incredibly lucky to have found these guys. They’re customer service from start to finish was wonderful. They were extremely patient and understanding when we had delays on our end and their installers were careful and punctual. Use them. You’ll be in good hands. And we love the signs.
Randon
Whisk Dessert Bar, London
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THREE DECADES AS LONDON’S TRUSTED SIGN MAKER
QUALITY BESPOKE SIGNAGE

From independent businesses and private offices to public buildings and cultural centres, we serve organisations across the UK with signs made using both traditional skills and contemporary technologies.

As a company built on testimonials and repeat custom, we nurture strong relationships with our clients from the very start.

Our ordering process is simple and hassle-free:

  1. Contact us through the form to discuss your design needs and receive a quote.

  2. Our team of experts will determine the best materials and construction methods.

  3. Feedback or approve the design and quote.

  4. Relax while we craft your custom sign.

  5. We'll handle installation and ensure everything is to your satisfaction.

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