Building Signage
At the university where I used to work they took advantage of their location since a very important avenue ran through the middle of the Campus. We had a pedrestrian bridge for students to cross the streets, we wrapped it up with a giant Banner with real size sudents and from the distance it seemed like students were on the bridge looking down to the street. It was an attention grabber.
The last thing we did was to decorate the entire wall of one of the buildings facing the avenue with very atractive design of student life, with 3D cuts. It looks amazing!
Too bad we dont have the same freedom ay our Campus now. We dont even have a sign on the building and prospect students get lost all the time. One thing I've been doing is using temporary signs.It's not the same thing but we make an effort.
HI Jessica
You perfectly pointed out the importance of signs. With the right signs you can increase enrollment, reduce frustration, enhance student satisfaction and much more. Signs have a positive effect on staff and help each employee learn about other departments and act as a team. And all it takes are some signs.
Best wishes
Susan
I agree that signs are a great tool, but some schools like ours, which are located in office buildings or corporate complexes, are often only allowed signage on the door. In the complex where we are located, there is not even a business directory outside.
You are describing a signage problem that many schools have. What is in your control so people can easily find your school and so that the general public knows where your school is? There are many solutions and brainstorming with your staff and students is a way to get ideas. YOu might get the other tenants in the building to lobby with you and get the landlord to allow at least a business directory sign. You might consider having someone stand on the street a few hours a day with a big sign. It does get attention. In all your literature you might give very very clear directions as to where you are located. Lots of ways to get around the problem. Not easy. Good luck, Susan
What kind of sign would one hold if they were to stand at the street? Name, phone etc.
Thanks -
Christi
HI Christi
Good question. It could be a simple message like - classes start next week. Find out more. We got the idea from a school called American School of Massage. They had someone dressed as Uncle Sam with a message about the program and the clinic. It got a lot of attention and some press as well.
Best wishes, Susan
There are many good things to do but our Campus is located in a corporate Complex and we are only allowed to have sinege in our doors and in some designated areas which are not the betters from my point of view.
Hi Eldin, You bring up a very good point about the limitations of signage when located in a business complex that has rules. The goal is to see what you can do that stays within the rules but increases your visibility. Can you have someone stand on the street periodically, near your building with a sign indicating that classes will start at a certain date? Can you pass out information in the lobby? Can temporary banners be put up from time to time? It does take a lot of creativity -- and persistence! Thanks, Susan
Our school rents space in a building located 200 feet from a main highway. We tried to get the landlord to allow us to install a neon sign on the building but our request was denied time after time.
At this point we explained to them that without a large sign on the building enrollment will suffer and they will not be able to collect our rent.
The present economic situation left them with vacant spaces, which made them finally agreed on a large banner. We placed the banner which is red letters on yellow on the front of the building.
The school name is now visible.
It takes a bad economy to get action from a landlord.
HI Gheorghe
Thanks for sharing your intersting experience. Hope it gets other readers to think of ways to get a "yes" to their requests that previously got a "no." You're right - this economy gets people motivated to think creatively. By the way, have you thought of hiring a student to hold a placard announcing your next class start date for example? thanks, Susan
you have to put a big sign so that people can read and come to your service.
That's right. Signage is very important. Often there are challenges. Some buildings do not allow signs on the outside and sometimes not on the inside either. So you have to be creative. Also directions to your school have to be very clear. Especially when there are limited signs. Thanks, Susan
