Electronic Sign Strategies in Idaho Falls

The signs popping up do modernize the town a bit. They are also distracting and ugly in some ways, too. The sign at Taylor’s in the evening in the dead center of a blazing orange IF sunset is rather dissapointing.
The Orwellian vision of all of the local news beamed into our intersections is interesting. Perhaps more rounabouts about town with these huge TVs in the middle.
They could show traffic situations on nearby streets to aid navigation choices.
Portable DVDs, pods, cell phones, radios, cd players, eating, drinking etc. seem to keep our drivers amply entertained and barely attending to driving as it is, though.
If horrifying car wrecks were broadcast maybe that would help?

I also think their distracting and many of them are really unnecessary since you don’t have enough time to read them unless you’re walking down the street. I like the one at Taylors crossing because you have a chance to actually read it.
As far as signs go, I like the philosophy they use in Boca Raton Florida. Just ban them altogether. There’s not one sign or billboard in that city and it makes for a very beautiful community! They don’t allow ANY company to have a sign advertising their business unless its actually afixed to the building itself. Even fast food restuarants can’t have a sign by the road or in their parking lot. Whatever signage they have on the building is all that’s allowed, and it’s really amazing how clean and uncluttered it makes the city. I’ve been all over the country and I have to say Boca Raton is definately one of the cleanest city’s in the country. (at least that I’ve seen) You don’t realize how much signage clutters up a city until you actually go somewhere where there are no signs. Yet business’s there thrive just fine without them.

They’ve got quite a few other rules that keeps that city spotless as well. No company vehicles are allowed to park in the driveway of your home. It must be parked in your garage or at your place of business. You’ll see a lot of small business that will use those magnetic signs for their company vehicles. They’ll also cite you if the landscaping at your home or place of business isn’t neat and well kept. It’s a pretty expensive town to live in, but the people there take a lot of pride in their community and it really shows. Every median, intersection and back alley in that town is nicely landscaped and very well maintained.

I used to live in Las Vegas so keep this in mind when I say (quite passionately) – I hate scrolling signage.

Here is why – it can become overbearing, it is often visually loud, it is the antithesis of tactful.

I understand that in the USA our businesses are allowed – no, encouraged – to be bombastic in thier approach to attract customers. I read somewhere (sorry, I don’t recall where) that in the UK businesses are not permitted to use demanding comments in their ads. For instance – a red flashing sign in the US that reads “BUY NOW!” must be toned down in both flash and in wordage. Perhaps “Please come inside to see our great deals”.

I’ve never seen signs like that – but yes I would love to. Especially after living in Las Vegas where – even in the nice quiet suburbs like I one I was in – you get flashed @ with wild abandon – in the supermarket, @ the gas station, in front of the video store. The Vegas strip and downtown are so loud I think that the locals often become immune or desensitized to obnoxious advertising – so – the local business owners adjust.

I’d hate to see that in Idaho Falls.

Having siad that I must admit I’ve never seen the flashing sign @ Taylor’s Crossing – and I’ve driven by there dozens of times or more. Maybe that makes my point for me – from my time in Las Vegas I’ve become immune to loud signage – as could you guys too!

I say – keep loud visual advertising out of my driving field. Keep it on tv or in print if it must exist @ all.

I’m old school on this topic I guess.

If the school wishes to put up one of those smaller single colored signs (similar to what the masonic lodge members have on their building) which is designed to inform the locals regarding school functions, etc. – then I’m not opposed to such a small sign.

It’s the Big, Loud, Multicolored, Fast-paced, BLINK BLINK BLINKING Flash signs which advertise everything from soup to nuts to FREE-FREE-FREE FREQENT BUYER’S MILES that I am opposed to.

Being a St. Anthony community member – I’d argue against an obnoxious advertiser’s sign in our town, but a simple small single light colored informative one I would not have anything negative to say about. I believe we have one such sign @ our high school.

What’s with this “overseas advertising” Joe? I knew you were allowing local businesses to advertize, but not people from the United Kingdom. I would consider this spam and eliminate it.