Want to learn more about design in the sign & graphics industry? From what technology to use to best practices for wayfinding, the below industry-specific resources will help guide you through sign design.
Click on the name of each resource below to read a description, see the cost, and register. Reach out to education@signs.org with any questions.
Note: Courses are accessible only by the purchaser. Digital badges are assigned to the purchaser.
ISA online learning courses in SIGN DESIGN
What are the options, processes and benefits of using SketchUp 3D models in 2D Design Intent and/or Shop Drawings? How does 3D content in a 2D drawing add value for the client, the fabricator and the designer as well? Gain an understanding of the processes used to build a clear and concise set of drawings that feature 3D models in various configurations. This courses showcases relevant sign project content and specific process steps focusing on the inclusion of 3D content into the drawing set opening new avenues of thought and possibilities.
- Speakers: Dan King, Jacobs Engineering
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
BIM as a design process has become a standard in the world of architecture. What does this mean for the environmental graphics industry? Using Revit™ as a guide this session will explore the possibilities of BIM tools on environmental graphics projects. With a particular focus on the design and documentation process, users will gain an understanding of what BIM tools like Revit™ mean to their work.
- Speaker: Josh Livingston, ASI Signage Innovations, and Michael Shaub, Gensler
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
This panel showcases proven in-store sign design and implementation methods that lead to increased consumer engagement. Learn how to determine how digital technology can enhance the customer experience in different retail environments in both size and type of store. Using case studies on best practices in digital strategy, learn how video, art, interactive displays and mobile engagement can best be utilized.
- Speakers: Bryan Meszaros, OpenEye Global; Jacob Cohen, Stackhouse; Alan Robles, Gensler; Douglas Hampton-Dowson, Reality Interactive
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
Gain an overview of the most recent American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, as documented in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (SFAD). Do you know how to implement the ADA Guidelines? Do we know what may be coming next? This session will review the current standards and their impacts on the design and fabrication of exterior and interior signage. It will also address the potential coming accessible codes through the work of the model codes being considered by the ANSI A117 committee.
- Speaker: Grady Brown, iZone Imaging
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1.5 hours
Our digital and networked communities have become more open, connected and accessible through the use of technology. How will interactive media and ubiquitous computing continue to make information accessibly and more relevant to our spaces in the built physical environment? How will communities and next generation users be impacted by the shift in digital experiences that are being imagined and designed today? Join us for a moderated panel discussion with innovative experts tasked by their clients to balance art and science with new interactive environments and experiences.
- Speaker: Nik Hafermaas, Uebersee / Arts Center College of Design
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
This presentation profiles the impact of different design metrics on the effectiveness of modern on-premise signs to put effective use of design within reach for small companies. Review the research on metrics from size to landscaping to dynamic information. Learn how to compare the relative merits of each design area in order to order to formulate a series of strategies for both the design and integration of on-premise signs into an overall design approach.
- Speaker: Craig Berger, Craig Berger Consulting
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
RECORDED WEBINARS ABOUT SIGN DESIGN
Provided by Parker LORD
The sign industry is facing several challenges-now more than ever. Don’t let design and manufacturing capabilities limit you. Join this training session to hear how structural adhesives stack up against traditional fastening methods for your sign fabrication processes to maximize cycle time, performance and aesthetics. This session will showcase which adhesive chemistries work best depending on the application. Plus, did you know that you can safeguard your own electronics and LEDs using the same adhesive you would use for bonding trim cap? Yep, that’s right! This is a session that you don’t want to miss.
- Speaker: Angela Zambanini, Parker LORD
- Price: $0.00 for ISA members and non-members
What lessons can we learn from some of the country’s largest and most prestigious healthcare institutions about keeping signage up-to-date, consistent and coherent for their visitors? Leslie Wolke, founder of MapWell Studio, interviewed facilities and wayfinding managers at seven complex and expansive medical facilities for this Sign Research Foundation study and will share best practices that these professionals rely upon to guide visitors through their ever-changing-environments. We will explore the people, processes, and tools that these institutions have put into place to maintain a range of wayfinding tools, from static signage to wayfinding apps—all with an emphasis on practices that can be adopted by facilities of any size.
- Speaker: Leslie Wolke, MapWell Studio
- Price: $0.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
Does your community facilitate the design of iconic and creative signs? Have artistic signs in your city ever gone viral? This webinar will focus on creative signs and policy tools that local officials can use to assist in the creation of visual communications that contain the elements of outstanding design, while promoting aesthetics, economic development and your community’s brand. Join this webinar to gain a better understanding of how communities can encourage creative sign design through zoning practices and local partnerships.
- Speakers: Dan Bursick, AICP of City of Tucson AZ, James Carpentier, AICP of International Sign Association, Linda Edwards, AICP of Town of Gilbert, AZ and Eric F. Garcia of EG Structural and ON Advertising
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
The design and development of new sign types accompanying the evolution of the “smart city” creates new challenges for communities to ensure regulatory and privacy concerns are proactively addressed. This session seeks to help you understand the development of smart cities across the globe and to appreciate the importance of citizen participation and social equity in developing policies which will govern technologies currently being integrated and in development.
- Speakers: Deacon Wardlow, Vantage LED and Dawn Jourdan, College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
As curbside and BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store) have become common place amid the pandemic, customers no longer have to enter a store to experience its brand. This means it’s now more important than ever for retailers to consider the CX journey beyond the front door, and how signage plays a role in it. Ron Lutz, chief retail officer at retail strategist Miller Zell, will discuss how retail leaders can leverage store design principles and strategic signage to ensure that the customer’s experience is maintained even outside of the store.
- Speaker: Ron Lutz, Chief Retail Officer, Miller Zell
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
The History of Park and Trail Wayfinding stretches back over 200 years, but in the last 20 years diverse and exciting wayfinding programs began to proliferate. This lecture covers both the expansive and recent history through the selection of 25 projects from before 2000 and 25 projects from the last two decades.
- Speakers: Craig Berger, Fashion Institute of Technology; India Adolfsson, T-Squared Design Inc.; Keith Helmetag, C&G Partners
- Price: $0.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
Parks and Trails are great venues for experimentation. This lecture profiles a number of these innovative approaches including digital technology, illumination, durable materials and street furniture. The lecture also covers how designers create comprehensive and consistent systems built to stand the test of time.
Park and Trail Wayfinding is a unique combination of institutional branding, identity development, placemaking and interpretation. This lecture will discuss the trends in trail wayfinding as well as the stakeholder and planning methodologies that lead to successful programs.
Successful wayfinding programs have strong planner and public official leadership. This program delves into important aspects of planning leadership including financing, stakeholder management and regulatory management. Led by design and administrative professionals the lecture will also include a discussion on proactive techniques for project leadership.
- Speakers: Craig Berger, FIT and Craig Berger Management Consulting; John Bosio, Principal at Merje; George Lim, Principal Partner/Creative Director Tangram Design
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
Cities and regions are undertaking large structural changes with short term crisis reinforcing long term economic and social trends. This program will focus on a few leading trends impacting wayfinding including the expansion of trail and regional park projects, digital technologies and multi-modal expansion.
- Speakers: Keith Helmetag, C&G Partners; Adrian Bell, Applied Wayfinding
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
Signs in outdoor environments need to be tough to withstand the physical environment and everyday wear and tear. This program encompasses the material, fabrication and maintenance approaches that can extend the life of a sign and make it easier to change and update. • Material and fabrication process • Location Planning for Better Maintenance • Material and Lighting specification for Durability • Sign Management • Maintenance approaches
- Speakers: Anthony Clayton, Bluebird Graphic Solutions; Kevin Rourke, Davis Marketing Associates
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
This fourth webinar in the series will be an all-encompassing overview of how an urban wayfinding project comes to fruition from start to finish and how each of the players is involved in that success. Planners, designers, and fabricators will all find relevant information to their job functions in this session.
- Speakers: Craig Berger, Fashion Institute of Technology; Luanne Stauffer, Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce; Jessica Schrader, Entro; Phil Redisch, MSSigns
- Price: $10.00 for ISA members; $15.00 for non-members
