GSI Pawn Shop is the largest and oldest pawn shop in Toole, UT, and has been a family business for nearly 50 years.
SCOPE OF PROJECT: Outdoor Sign Panel Design (lighted, polycarbonate, 8 ft. X 16 ft.)
CHALLENGE: The owner of GSI is a friend of mine, Kenny. We both love cool old neon signs, and something in that vein would have been his first choice, but the city council wouldn’t allow any new neon construction. The existing sign is grandfathered in, so he could use the existing frame for new signage, and he could make repairs. No new construction would be allowed, and he couldn't add on any elements. The highlights of the brief were: something clean and easily legible from a car driving at 35 miles per hour, a hint of cool mid-century, but not so much that it looks dated.
SOLUTION: After some discussion, lots of sketches, and many iterations, we arrived at the version below with a clean, classic font and a similar color scheme to the old sign, but with a lighter blue. This version is bold and simple, with a bit of retro flair to give it a vintage flavor, and can easily be read from the road.
The final version of the GSI PAWN SHOP sign.
Some earlier version that didn't make the grade.
The old sign being taken down, and the new one waiting on the trailer. Photo courtesy Kenny Gregrich.
The new sign overlooking N Main Street in Tooele, UT. Photo courtesy Kenny Gregrich.
The marquee says it all. Photo courtesy Kenny Gregrich.
The new GSI PAWN SHOP sign lit up at twilight. Photo courtesy Kenny Gregrich.
One more twilight view of the new sign, all lit up. Photo courtesy Kenny Gregrich.