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Projecting Sign Hero Shot

Bristol North Baths

Bristol North Baths is home to some pretty swish office space near the city. That wasn’t always the case. The building was once a swimming pool and before that it housed an enterprise making aircraft wings. It’s been a dance hall, and it once starred in an episode of Only Fools And Horses too. One thing Bristol North Baths has always been though, is a very distinctive example of the architecture of its period.

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It’s amazing what the Voodoo DesignWorks could do for you. It’s all in our brochure and we have one with your name on it.

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Impressing a new identity upon something that already has its own celebrity isn’t without its challenges but we have a gift for looking at problems like that in terms of the solutions that solve them. And so it was with ‘BNB.’ We had great support from our client who participated in the creative processes and together we landed on something that’s really special to us, and that does exactly what our client wanted it to do.

We produced a Brand Bible centred around a new logo we designed. As we’re fond of saying, Voodoo is cast in the role of a signmaker but the company is also a commercial designer of some repute. The Brand Bible does the job it’s meant to do – it doesn’t give anyone contracted to work with our client’s shiny new assets any latitude for reinventing, bastardising, or meddling with them. That’s not to say it confines creative application – it doesn’t. It just ensures that anything from merch to press advertising produced in our client’s name reflects our client’s ID, and does so well.

Bristol North Baths Hero Shot Brand Guidelines

We’re particularly attached to the logo despite it being one among others beyond count we’ve created over the years. It’s an evidently simply assembly of elements that reads as a double ‘B’ but its arrangement and geometry speak realms. We dedicated a page in the Bible to explain but it merits repeating. There are intersecting elements that suggest a crossing-of-ways or a point of community focus. The wavy bottom edge acknowledges reflections, perhaps in a swimming pool. The bowls of the B itself morph to become hand-rails to exit and enter a pool and even the voids in the B manage to look a little like pool floats. Design works best when restrained and used to contrast and counterpoint a context. We’ve been told our logo achieves that.

This was all reduced to practice recently when we got the chance to make new office signage in the name of promoting this new ID for BNB. That worked out brilliantly and succeeded in turning the iconic building into a distinctive part of the community that’s respectful of its recent, and not-so-recent past and its local standing.

Bristol North Baths Building

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Book an online presentation and discussion with us at a time that suits you.

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Voodoo Connect – It’s a great way for us all to discuss your project live and the quality is simply amazing.

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BNB was quite the journey for our creatives and the outcome one that we’re proud to associate with Voodoo DesignWorks. It’s hard to put a price on such a thing from an exterior perspective but it surely has to start with the difference in value between any old office space, and something with a distinctive and colourful ID that confers quality and a real sense of location. That in turn makes the location desirable and the basic idea of offices accommodated in notable buildings is known to be scalable anywhere.

Internal Projecting Signs

Were you to want to explore something similar with Voodoo DesignWorks, a door-opening conversation with our team costs nothing at all. We’d genuinely welcome your call and the opportunity to look at your project.

Let’s get in touch…

If you’re ready to discuss your project we’re ready to listen. Let’s get your ideas on the table and move your sign project forward.

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Wide angle shot of main fascia sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays

Illuminated signage helps Barbour stand out

Voodoo DesignWorks installed an illuminated shop front sign for Barbour that works whatever way you look at it…

Gloucester Quays is a thriving shopping centre in Gloucester and home to some of the UK’s best loved brands and retail outlets. Voodoo DesignWorks is a regular visitor to the shopping centre and has supplied its tenants signage and graphics for many years.

The latest business to knock on Voodoo’s door looking for an illuminated fascia sign for its outlet at the Gloucester Quays shopping centre was Barbour. The format of the signage required was well known to the engineering and creative team at Voodoo. It would comprise an illuminated fascia sign spanning the shopfront, and a coordinated projecting sign abutting the fascia.

Projecting sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays
Wide angle shot of main fascia sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays
Close up of main fascia sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays

Let’s send you a brochure…

It’s amazing what the Voodoo DesignWorks could do for you. It’s all in our brochure and we have one with your name on it.

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A brand as well-known and as carefully managed as Barbour Will always be prescriptive in terms of its signage and its design. So on this occasion, the Voodoo DesignWorks creative team’s primary responsibility to the job would be compliance with the customers corporate identity.

The job required the manufacture of a form and aluminium pan which would need to be stencil cut to receive lettering and would also need to be stove enamelled in Barbour’s colours. A matching projecting sign fabricated along very similar lines would also need to be made.

The Voodoo production team produced the signage lettering from Perspex which was cut on Voodoo’s production router before being glued and flame-polished. The resulting lettering elements could then be inlaid and secured to the aluminium stencil cut fascia pan.

Close up of projecting sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays
Voodoo employee preparing an LED light tray to install into a shop front sign
Close up of main fascia sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays

Lighting for the illuminated sign was provided by an array of LEDs. Despite the installation being an interior sign, Voodoo production used an IP rated illumination source. An acrylic diffuser, again Perspex was used to achieve a smooth lighting effect.

The matching projecting sign was manufactured from stove enamelled aluminium and decorated with cut vinyl lettering made from Metamark M7. The polar White film contrasts crisply with the regulation, green background mandated by Barbour’s corporate ID.

Barbour shop front at Gloucester Quays - Hero Shot

Let’s Connect…

Book an online presentation and discussion with us at a time that suits you.

Voodoo-Connect delivers a live, broadcast-quality video and audio presentation and discussion from us to you and its streamed live right to your desktop and as many people as you need to invite. We can discuss your project, you can all see our samples, tour our facility and more – no need for a camera at your end because we don’t see you or your colleagues.

Voodoo Connect – It’s a great way for us all to discuss your project live and the quality is simply amazing.

Book your appointment now.

The Voodoo installation team is a familiar sight at Gloucester Quays. It was no stranger to the very shop where it was required to fit the illuminated fascia sign for Barbour either having attended the unit before.

Installation was a relatively simple undertaking involving the removal of the previous occupier’s signage, which was taken away for recycling, and simply installing the replacements for Barbour.

Shopfront signage for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays prior to opening
Projecting sign for Barbour retail unit at Gloucester Quays
Barbour illuminated shopfront at Gloucester Quays

Barbour now has an instantly recognisable sign above its shop at Gloucester Quays, and a matching projecting sign ensuring that, no matter what angle pedestrian traffic approaches from, the unit will be visible to them.

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illuminated signs

Illuminated Signs – Consol

As any sign maker in Bristol knows, systems for making illuminated signs owe many of the features taken for granted to Bristol based sign makers who pioneered such developments in the 1970s. In the case of the fascia signs Voodoo manufactures for Consol, that’s just as well – every one is effectively a new sign and branding project in itself and a systemised approach has its benefits.

Let’s send you a brochure…

It’s amazing what the Voodoo DesignWorks could do for you. It’s all in our brochure and we have one with your name on it.

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Voodoo designs shop signs for Consol so as to deliver a cohesive brand identity while accommodating the need for the individual approach that having many premises requires. Accordingly the client buys what amounts to the whole gamut of bespoke retail signs.

Shop fascia signs are just part of the output. Projecting illuminated signs are popular and get the attention of pedestrian traffic. Window graphics provided identity continuations. Internal Point Of Sale adds its voice to the overall promotion and business branding. “How can I brand my business?” is a question that’s wrapped up in most briefs to Voodoo. The answer is, consider all available options fully – then decide on the sign project that fits the need. Voodoo can advise.

Making shop signs is a hands on job when the need is spread over such a diverse estate. Everything is effectively a one-off. Voodoo manufactures signs for Consol using modern production hardware that ensures brand consistency. That involves some very serious design skills. Thankfully, the Bristol based designers who work at Voodoo have the expertise needed.

It starts in the case of Consol with a sign survey which ensures that everything fits the premises perfectly. We make subtle design layout adjustment for scale and space. The result is a shopfront sign that fits the shopfront perfectly.

illuminated signs

Let’s Connect…

Book an online presentation and discussion with us at a time that suits you.

Voodoo-Connect delivers a live, broadcast-quality video and audio presentation and discussion from us to you and its streamed live right to your desktop and as many people as you need to invite. We can discuss your project, you can all see our samples, tour our facility and more – no need for a camera at your end because we don’t see you or your colleagues.

Voodoo Connect – It’s a great way for us all to discuss your project live and the quality is simply amazing.

Book your appointment now.

Simon Weaver, Production Director at Voodoo comments.

“Every time a production job arrives for our client Consol, we know we’re into a ground up sign design and manufacturing exercise. We maintain a solid production audit of course but it’s a rare event that sees us using designs twice. We don’t have to do it that way – we choose to.

illuminated signs

“We could do a bit of shut and fit but that would be to the detriment of the quality of the job in question. Consequently, we take the view that when someone comes to us for illuminated signs, branding a business, everything we make has a duty to the whole. That is why Voodoo designs and manufactures signs the way we do. Get in touch and see what we could do for your signing programme.”

The sun doesn’t shine every day so it’s good to know that you can top up that holiday tan when you need to. Because of illuminated signs and graphics by Voodoo, if there’s a Consol nearby, you’ll be able to find it.

Let’s get in touch…

If you’re ready to discuss your project we’re ready to listen. Let’s get your ideas on the table and move your sign project forward.

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shopping centre signs

Shopping Centre Signs – Calvin Klein

Shopping Centre Signs maker – Voodoo DesignWorks was responsible for the shopping centre signs and the popular retail development’s look and feel of a certain outlet centre. That outlet centre is Gloucester Quays who attract top quality occupiers. Among its recent arrivals – Calvin Klein. Shopping Centre Signs often obey by rules which contribute to an harmonious interpretation of shopping centre’s branding standards and we use these rules to inform basic sign design.

Voodoo worked with Calvin Klein designers to reach an approved design that worked for the Calvin Klein brand, and for the Gloucester Quays retail development. From there, it was a case of letting the brief loose in the Voodoo production department.

We always use the right materials when it comes to Shopping Centre Signs because quality matters. The team started by cutting 20mm thick lettering from clear Perspex acrylic. We meticulously flame polished the lettering so as to yield a glassy edge. The Voodoo team then backed the lettering with a specialist diffuser made from acrylic. The added prismatic diffuser pattern embossed added its own nuances to the light.

The tray for the sign was routed by the Voodoo production department from specialised bonded aluminium which was then folded to the required shape so forming a structure. Apertures for the lettering were cut and the assembled letters pushed through the apertures and secured.

Let’s send you a brochure…

It’s amazing what the Voodoo DesignWorks could do for you. It’s all in our brochure and we have one with your name on it.

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Brand wallpaper for temporary hoardings
Window Signs Calvin

The sign’s even and bright illumination is provided by an array of LEDs in the fabricated sign tray. Because LEDs run cooler than the fluorescent illumination sources of old, don’t drift off colour and they start reliably at the flick of a switch and as a result use less energy. They also make it easier to get illumination to distant corners and they’re relatively robust.

Installation of the sign at the shopping centre was straightforward. Because the Voodoo installation team are no strangers to the shopping centre, or to shopping centre signs, access was easy. Thanks to good preparation, the installation fits like a glove. Client is happy. Shopping centre is happy. One more shopping centre sign delivered by Voodoo.

The face of retail development has changed out of recognition since the advent of the shopping centre. Making signs for shopping centres requires that the centre itself and its overall branding works with the its clients and occupiers.

Let’s Connect…

Book an online presentation and discussion with us at a time that suits you.

Voodoo-Connect delivers a live, broadcast-quality video and audio presentation and discussion from us to you and its streamed live right to your desktop and as many people as you need to invite. We can discuss your project, you can all see our samples, tour our facility and more – no need for a camera at your end because we don’t see you or your colleagues.

Voodoo Connect – It’s a great way for us all to discuss your project live and the quality is simply amazing.

Book your appointment now.

Shopping Centre Signs

Standards therefore exist which mandate, for example that doors are open during business hours and that window graphics meet certain prescriptions and maintain sight-lines into stores therefore improving the shopping experience.

Voodoo understands. and works within these and other prescriptive branding guidelines. Voodoo delivers signs for shopping centres which satisfy both sides of the need for brand compliance and Voodoo manages the whole process from branding liaison with the shopping centre, projects advance seamlessly. Thanks to this total approach, shopping centre signs by Voodoo sail through approvals and consequently deliver the client genuinely superior value.

Calvin Klein at Gloucester Quays is just one example. We’ve been involved with many other shopping centres and retail outlets.

Tony Baxter, Director of Voodoo comments. “Working with shopping centres is a major part of life at Voodoo. Consequently, we’ve found ways of working to the tightest of brand compliance standard and delivering what retail clients need. It takes creativity and inventiveness. No shortage of that here. Get in touch with us and see what can fo for you.”

Let’s get in touch…

If you’re ready to discuss your project we’re ready to listen. Let’s get your ideas on the table and move your sign project forward.

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Shopping Centre Signs
restaurant signs

Restaurant Signs – Nando’s

Because of its strictly coordinated corporate identity and the quality of its service and food, Nandos is an instantly recognisable destination of choice for countless thousands. The Voodoo DesignWorks turned on the lights for Nandos when it arrived at Gloucester Quays Leisure Quarter with exterior illuminated restaurant signs and themed interior digital print.

Bristol Signmaker Voodoo has a long standing relationship with Gloucester Quays and with the retail shops, restaurants and other businesses and facilities there. When the popular restaurant chain Nandos arrived in Gloucester Quays Leisure Quarter, Voodoo provided the elements of Nandos restaurant branding that make it such an iconic presence.

Let’s send you a brochure…

It’s amazing what the Voodoo DesignWorks could do for you. It’s all in our brochure and we have one with your name on it.

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The Voodoo team designed and built the illuminated sign structure in house. Because the team used special finishing effects, the results are in character.

We installed push through lettering  via routed apertures in the illuminated sign tray with each flame polished and capped. Colour matching needed for the client’s corporate identity was achieved using coloured self adhesive vinyl.

We made a fabricated sign tray that  is something to behold from the outside.  Those who are familiar with such structures find the internals equally attractive. LED’s provide the light needed to achieve the needed stand-out among other illuminated signs in Gloucester Quays because they do so brilliantly. Unlike traditional illumination sources, they run relatively cool and are increasingly energy efficient.

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Application of vinyl graphics to a Nando's restaurant sign

The Voodoo team also applied its skills to the restaurant interior design. We printed digital murals in house using modern digital décor media. We used a state-of-the-art wide format printing system and applied the results to the restaurant’s interior wall consequently creating the prescribed ambient effect. It works.

So how does a sign maker in Bristol get to deliver restaurant signs in a retail development nearby? Voodoo has an established relationship with Gloucester Quays and has delivered projects as diverse as large format exterior banners and fascia signs there. Voodoo has also provided identity continuations such as window graphics and many other inventive restaurant signs solutions.

restaurant signs

Let’s Connect…

Book an online presentation and discussion with us at a time that suits you.

Voodoo-Connect delivers a live, broadcast-quality video and audio presentation and discussion from us to you and its streamed live right to your desktop and as many people as you need to invite. We can discuss your project, you can all see our samples, tour our facility and more – no need for a camera at your end because we don’t see you or your colleagues.

Voodoo Connect – It’s a great way for us all to discuss your project live and the quality is simply amazing.

Book your appointment now.

Tony Baxter, Director of Voodoo DesignWorks comments. “There are some very inventive people out there who are looking for signs. We take the view that what they’re really asking is – how can I brand my business?

He’s right. Voodoo has entertained some very interesting restaurant sign ideas in particular.

“Ideas come to us that could sometime be described as off piste. Such ideas will never be met with blank looks. Voodoo can make new things look old. We  get light into the darkest corners.  Get in touch. Our team will do what it takes to make your signs work, and work hard.”

Let’s get in touch…

If you’re ready to discuss your project we’re ready to listen. Let’s get your ideas on the table and move your sign project forward.

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