How to Approach Window Graphics

Window graphics are a great investment and for good reasons. But, you need to know your options and how to approach your design.

Window graphics are a very popular option for many businesses. It’s a fact. Look around yourself and count how many businesses use window graphics. 

They immediately grab the attention of any passerby and attract them to your office or storefront. 

They are extremely versatile and allow any business to promote a brand, an offer, a product or service, and more. 

How to Use Window Graphics Efficiently?

Window graphics are literally the marketing asset that is in your face.

Efficient and effective, window graphics are also adaptable to any surface or window shape and offer features like privacy protection, security, and some level of solar control.

It is useless to mention that they are a sure investment to make for any business trying to make a bold brand statement.

However, coming up with the “right” window graphic for your business is difficult.

If you are thinking to install window graphics on your office windows or storefront, there are a few design principles to keep in mind:

• Your marketing goals
  
• The information or message you need to share
  
• The legibility of the artwork
  
• The quality of the graphics
  
• Township regulations
  

Before digging too deeply into the above - with the exception of township regulations - a good way to start is thinking about what you want to do; and it starts with some simple observations.

Therefore, get out of your building, walk away, and check out the size of your windows and surface you have available.

Then, let your imagination work its magic. 

Imagine what you could do with that surface:

• Create privacy with frosted applied window films.
  
• Protect from the sun.
  
• Promote a sale, promotion, service, call-to-action, or message. 
  
• Share an artwork you like.
  
• Create more real estate for your logo.
  

Ultimately, only imagination is the limit. 

Well, that... and readability.

Choose Readability First.

If increasing sales is your goal, then make sure people can read the information that you want to display.

It seems obvious and yet, designs can be sometimes too busy, thus negatively impacting the readability of the window graphics. 

When it comes to graphic design, the size of the letters, font, and the choice of colors matter. 

A simple rule is to determine how far will a passerby be from your window and how far you want your window graphics to be seen.

• Are they going to be far away from your windows?
  
• Or, are they just walking right next to them?
  

Depending on your answer, the text size of your window graphics will vary.

This is when the subtle choice of color will kick in.

Indeed, another component of readability is color and the contrast between the background and the letters. 

If you need your letters to be visible, they need to contrast with the background.

Take time to be selective and critical. Some combinations can be very difficult to process for the eye. Hence, readability becomes a challenge.

Again, contrast is everything.

That and fonts.

Some fonts are more legible than others. 

As you only have four seconds to grab the attention of your prospects, a good rule to apply is to use very legible fonts such as:

• Arial
  
• Helvetica
  
• Open Sans
  
• Verdana
  
• Roboto
  
• PT Sans
  

There are many more legible fonts and our list is not exhaustive. That said, the idea is always to prioritize the effectiveness and functionality of your window graphics.

Try to Wow But Not Distract.

Thinking about design, sometimes the lesser, the better. 

If you choose to add design elements to your window graphics, try to keep it simple and not too busy.

Your window graphics should support your marketing intent and not distract from the essential.

Think about the hierarchy of your design elements and remember that nothing should be more important than your message or offer.

Therefore, if you need to integrate a picture in your design, that picture should always be subordinate to your message. 

Refrain from copy-pasting a picture from a website, not only for copyright reasons but also because that might be a low-resolution picture.

Always use high-resolution pictures. The higher the pixels, the better. 

What Have We Learned?

Window graphics are a great investment and a smart way to gain advertising real estate. To keep them efficient and functional, there are some basic design principles that you should remember:

• Your marketing intent and goals.
  
• The surface you want to cover.
  
• Distance versus proximity
  
• Visibility
  
• Readability
  

 The graphic designer in charge of your project should think in terms of message or offer first. Ultimately, keep track of your marketing goal. Are you ready to sell more?