The teams at @preacheraustin and Studio Dzo bring a new sign to Cisco’s on behalf of @favor — part of a series displayed across Texas celebrating beloved community staples.
Installation day brought together Preacher’s team, Favor’s team, and ours, making the project feel just as collaborative as it was meaningful. And of course, no visit to Cisco’s is complete without digging into their 75-year legacy ourselves: Huevos Rancheros, Biscuits & Gravy, and some seriously good spicy salsa.
#atx #SignDesign #AustinFoodie #DesignStudio #dogoodwork
What even is a nit, and what is a lumen—and why should we care?
An expert from @bitrogroup helped us understand better @isasigns Sign Expo
Nits measure brightness at the surface of a display (what your eye actually sees coming off the sign). Lumens measure brightness at the source (how much light the system produces before it’s shaped, filtered, or diffused).
On paper, that sounds simple. In practice, it’s where good signage gets separated from guesswork.
Because light isn’t static. It shifts with environment, angle, time of day, and even color rendering. A sign that reads perfectly at noon can fall apart at night if brightness, color, and contrast aren’t properly coordinated. That balance—day to night, ambient to illuminated—is what keeps a brand consistent in the real world, not just in design files.
These measurements are becoming more critical as displays and illuminated systems show up everywhere. And for designers, they’re not just technical specs—they’re part of protecting visual integrity.
Getting this right is what ensures a brand looks like itself in every condition. That consistency is what separates intentional design from simple fabrication.
#illumination #SignDesign #DesignStudio #DoGoodWork
At @isasigns Expo, Ashley from @everylite their Lighting Control Specialist, walked us through some of the LED technology that helps bring illuminated signage to life.
RGBW Modules: Traditional RGB LEDs can create color, but often produce an off-white when set to white. RGBW modules include a dedicated white diode for a true pure or warm white light while still retaining color-changing capabilities.
DMX / PWM: Different methods used to power and control LED modules and lighting systems.
Pixelated Lights: Individually addressable LEDs that allow each light to be controlled separately for more dynamic lighting effects.
Universes: Refers to the number of LEDs that can be controlled on a single power/control module.
Kelvin Scale: Measures color temperature. Lower numbers like 2700K create a warmer, yellow-toned light, while higher numbers like 6500K produce a crisp, bright white often used for building signage.
Understanding these terms — and the capabilities and limitations of LED technology — helps us accurately specify lighting systems for our fabrication partners and create signage that performs exactly as intended.
#SignDesign #LED #SignExpo #FindYourSpark #DesignStudio
At this year’s @isasigns Expo 2026, Russell gave a talk on the growing role of AI in the sign industry and what it means for designers moving forward. The conversation wasn’t about fear or replacement — it was about understanding where AI can help, where it falls short, and why human perspective, taste, and problem-solving still matter more than ever.
ʜɪꜱ ᴛɪᴘꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ꜱɪɢɴ ᴅᴇꜱɪɢɴᴇʀꜱ:
ꜱʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ
Good design doesn’t happen by accident. Research, code compliance, material knowledge, and problem-solving are all part of the process. Showing your work helps clients understand the expertise behind every decision.
ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ
Designs are stronger when the people who created them explain the thinking behind them. Presenting your work builds trust, creates collaboration, and turns feedback into conversation instead of reaction.
ᴅᴇꜰᴇɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ
Every design choice should have intention behind it. Defending your work isn’t about ego — it’s about advocating for solutions that are thoughtful, functional, and rooted in experience.
#DesignStudio #presentation #ai #SignDesign #DoGoodWork
Found @isasigns Expo at @swissqprint_official booth.
Lenticular printing is one of those techniques that makes people stop and look twice. By interlacing multiple images beneath a lenticular lens, the print shifts as you move past it—creating motion, depth, flips, or even animated effects without a screen.
What’s especially exciting is seeing newer in-line production techniques evolve. Instead of mounting a printed graphic to a lens afterward, some systems can now align and print directly in-line during production, improving registration, efficiency, and consistency at larger scales.
It’s a perfect example of how print continues to blur the line between static graphics and interactive experiences.
#DesignStudio #lenticular #printing #signdesign
Some signage doesn’t need electricity to demand attention.
SolaRay sequin panels by @radiantmfg use light, airflow, and movement to create constantly shifting surfaces that naturally catch the eye. Outdoors, sunlight and wind bring the sequins to life. Indoors, even subtle airflow from an AC vent or opening door creates motion and reflection.
It’s a smart reminder that impactful signage isn’t always about screens or illumination—sometimes movement itself is enough.
#SignDesign #Print #Expo #DesignStudio #DoGoodWork
A quick timelapse of Kate installing updated office hours at ICON luxury student housing in downtown Austin. Vinyl graphics are one of the smartest solutions for temporary messaging — clean, professional, easy to install, and easy to refresh as spaces evolve. Small update, big impact.
#vinyl #SignDesign #Install #DesignStudio #DoGoodWork
Happy Birthday, Russell 🎉
Our Creative Director and co-owner—equal parts silly and serious, always leading with intention. He’s the one making the tough calls, setting the vision, and keeping everything moving forward (with just the right amount of humor along the way).
Grateful for the leadership, the perspective, and the energy he brings to the studio every day.
#birthday #CreativeDirector #DEsignStudio #DoGoodWork
Join us in celebrating our lovely ice cream ma’am behind the camera! Happy birthday to Tanya!
She is style, she is grace, she is cuteness in your face. We make sure that you look good, but she makes sure that WE look good. She manages our brand with a precision and style that makes it look easy, but we can assure you, IT IS NOT. She makes sure we look like professionals, and let us tell you that is a TASK, but she also makes sure you see the “reel” us in the bloopers.
Cheers to you, Tanya! We couldn’t do it without you, and frankly, we wouldn’t want to.
#birthday #DesignStudio #BrandManager #DoGoodWork
Jordan hit the @isasigns Expo floor focused on what’s next.
One of the biggest standouts: 3D printed ADA signage. Traditionally, tactile + braille elements rely on specialized thermo-compression processes applied to rigid materials. What he found flips that on its head—raised text printed directly onto virtually any substrate.
Is it replacing traditional methods yet? Not quite. But the potential is hard to ignore.
More flexibility. More material options. More room to push design further than before.
We’re always looking for new solutions in ADA—not just for the innovation, but because accessibility matters. Clear, inclusive environments aren’t an add-on, they’re essential—and expanding the ways we can achieve that is something we genuinely care about.
#SignDesign #FindYourSpark #ISASignExpo #DesignStudio #ADA
At @isasigns Expo, Kate was on the lookout for more eco-friendly signage solutions when she came across DGS—and it stopped her in her tracks.
@dgsdigitalgraphic has been focused on creating, printing, and cutting rigid paper-based materials for years, offering a more sustainable approach without sacrificing performance. What stood out most? The durability. These materials are built to last, opening the door for more responsible choices in spaces where longevity matters.
Safe to say, Kate left inspired—and excited to start designing with more environmentally conscious solutions in mind.
#DoGoodWork #FindYourSpark #ISASignExpo #DesignStudio #EcoFriendly
From Russell’s perspective—our Creative Director and someone who’s rarely at a loss for words—this was one of those moments.
We kept finding ourselves back at the @rolanddga booth during @isasigns Expo… again and again. There’s something about seeing texture, depth, and finish come to life this way that’s hard to walk away from.
It’s not just new—it’s meaningful. The kind of capability that opens the door to more thoughtful, elevated design when used in the right context.
We’re excited to start applying this technique where it makes sense for our Partners and projects—and we can’t wait to bring these ideas to life.
#DoGoodWork #FindYourSpark #ISAExpo #Designer #funny
