Winners announced for Sign & Digital UK Awards

The winners of the Sign & Digital UK Awards were announced at a gala dinner held last night at the National Motorcycle Musem, Birmingham.  Hosted by the highly entertaining Seann Walsh, the awards recognised the best creative talent in the industry.

There were 10 categories and the winners and the runners up in each category are detailed below:

Individual Sign Project of the year 1-9 Employees

• Winner: Allen Signs â€" tasked with creating a dramatic sign to draw attention to the newly independent Chameleon Print shop premises. Allen Signs expertly retrofitted the store’s original fascia and projecting sign to create the imaginative and eye-catching Chameleon projecting sign with a colour changing eye.  Winning the support of all the judges, Allen Signs Chameleon Print sign was unanimously praised for its clever use of LED technology.  The judges were impressed by an imaginative solution to a simple brief featuring a creative, arresting and appealing sign.
• In 2nd place Highly Commended, Signs Express (Leeds) - impressed by the technical expertise required to produce the striking and elegant sign project, the highly commended title goes to Signs Express (Leeds) for its Floating Illuminated Signage for Hush Puppies.
• 3rd place, ID Signs & Graphics for its work on the Baskind Pharmacy.

Individual Sign Project of the year 10+ Employees

• Winner: Signbox provided signage at global investment solutions firm Blackrock, in line with its re-brand which bridges the two approaches to investing, the ‘intuitive’ and ‘scientific’. By using natural materials including black granite, cherry wood and glass to represent the ‘intuitive’ and technological signage to represent ‘the scientific’, the result was a visually impressive and elegant project. Impressed by the exceptional quality of work throughout the project, the judges were blown away by Signbox’s unique and contemporary signage
• 2nd place, Piggotts with its GAP Signage project.
• 3rd place Amber & Green and the IBM Southbank Refurbishment Project.

Multiple Sign Project of the year 1-9 employees

• Winner: The Grain Sign Company used vinyl, dibond, acrylic, wood, PVC and metal across a range of locations through Longleat Safari Park to create imaginative, fun signage which remained sensitive to its surroundings.  Impressing the judges with the professional creativity displayed throughout, The Grain Sign Company has won the award for its sensitive yet bold interpretation of the brief, where the company combined materials, visual effects and impact with finesse for an attention grabbing signage project.
• 2nd place is Create Signs for the Mshed Museum, Bristol work.
• 3rd place Signs Express (Leeds) for its Bridgewater Place project.

Multiple Sign Project of the year 10+ employees

• Winner: Graffiti Design undertook its largest ever single contract when providing signage for the “American Express Community Stadium” including external identity and wayfinding, internal public wayfinding, internal hospitality and graphics. Rising to the challenge, Graffiti Design used a variety of modern signage materials and digital signage for the project.  Graffiti Design was recognised for its excellent conception and execution of the work at this prestigious location, overcoming difficult installations with finesse to create remarkably varied signage with remarkable effect and impact.
• 2nd place Highly Commended, Piggotts for the Hong Kong Asolay -  Judges described the entry as “a masterclass in design and execution”, Piggotts has been highly commended for the project’s great vibrancy and colour and the excellent example of high quality and service coupled with creativity to fulfill a difficult brief with dramatic and dazzling results.
• 3rd place is Image Technique for the Westfield Stratford City project.

Vehicle Wrapping Project of the Year

• Winner: Raccoon was given “Official Branding” status for the prestigious Gumball 3000 event, requiring it to create unique individually designed car wraps. Utilising a range of materials and cutting edge technology, Raccoon produced a range of arresting and innovative designs. Winning rave reviews from all the judges with comments such as “Beautiful on every level,” and “unsurpassable work”, Raccoon take home the Best Vehicle Wrap Project Award for the second year running.
• 2nd place highly commended, Wrap Kings. Wrap Kings high level of attention to detail, creative and intricate design work, and impressive use of colour and materials caught the attention of the judges, and ensured the company was highly commended for an extremely well executed and creative project.
• 3rd place is Principle Reprographic Services.

Wide Format Print Project of the Year

• Winner: Signbox used a great creative concept when producing signage and environmental graphics at Expedia head offices. Using a range of materials and technology, including white ink, it used a fun approach to wayfinding and produced beautiful and arresting designs. Described as 'simply a perfect blend of materials, creativity, expression and precision', Signbox is this year's winner for its consistently excellent work throughout the complex project.
• 2nd place is Service Graphics for its work at the National Museum of Scotland.
• 3rd place, Hollywood Monster for its banner display at Westfield Shopping Centre.

The Green Award sponsored by DS Smith Recycling

• Winner: Aggregate Industries has environmental responsibility at the core of its company values with ISO and Building Research Establishment certification, the framework for responsible sourcing of construction materials. Using natural stone materials and environmentally friendly production techniques it produced a stunning signage project for the forestry commission. Aggregate Industries’ excellent craftsmanship coupled with elegant, minimalist designs to create durable signage from natural materials bowled over the judges for its green credentials and lovely hand-crafted pieces.
• 2nd place highly commended, The Grain Sign Company for its Sandblasted Cedarwood Signs.  Judges were impressed by The Grain Sign Company’s intelligent solutions to use green processes and sustainable materials for beautifully crafted, traditional signage.

Rising Star Award

• Winner: John Matthews of Sign Vision â€" against the odds John has grown his business throughout the recession, including an increase in projects and moving to larger premises. A truly aspirational individual, his passion for his work is clear in the creativeness and effort he infuses into each project he works on. With comments from judges including “Definitely one to watch”, “A success story for tomorrow’s industry” and “Definition of rising talent”, it is no surprise that this years’ winner of the Rising Star Award is John Matthews of Sign Vision, impressing judges with his motivation, aspiration and success to date.
• 2nd place is Chris McIntosh of Service Graphics.
• 3rd place is Gemini Katwa of Fusion Print.

Wide Format Printing Company of the Year

• Winner: Hollywood Monster’s dedication to offering customers the best service using the latest technologies with as little impact on the environment as possible, makes the business a great example of success. Following a successful 2011 with increase in turnover, increased numbers of employees including investing in two apprenticeships, it continues to grow from strength to strength. Consistently impressive in terms of innovation, excellent quality, diverse portfolio of services and strong business ethics including its dedication to developing and investing in its staff, Hollywood Monster is the winner of the Wide Format Print Company of the year.
• 2nd place highly commended, Service Graphics. Its level, quality and range of work, as well as its continual investment in technology and dedication to their customers ranks Service Graphics in the Industry’s Premier League.

Sign Company of the Year award, sponsored by Trade Signs.

• Winner: Signbox battled the economic downturn by investing in their in-house printing facilities so it was able to successfully diversify into new markets leading to a tremendously successful 2011 with strong retained profits and a 10% increase in employees. Evoking quality in everything it produces and with design and innovation at the pulse of the organisation, Signbox was a worthy winner in this category for the second year running. Rewarded for its outstanding work throughout 2011, the judges placed this company as the industry benchmark for quality, creativity and service, and judges' comments included “versatility and elegance are its trademarks” and “This is simply what a modern sign company should aspire to become.”
• 2nd place is Graffiti Design.
• 3rd place is Sign 2000.

For more information on the finalists and the winners, please visit www.signanddigitaluk.com