What should the Canadian sign industry expect from the rest of 2024? I did some research and it seems to boil down to five main topics against a background of technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a renewed focus on sustainability.
Personalized and interactive signage: With advancements in data analytics and artificial intelligence, businesses are accessing customer data to create personalized and interactive signage experiences. This means devising messages based on consumer preferences to enhance engagement and increase the effectiveness of signage campaigns. Apparently this trend is particularly relevant in retail, hospitality, and events where personalized experiences are designed to generate customer satisfaction.
Digital transformation: Digital continues to reshape the way businesses communicate, and this includes signage. Digital signage, including LED displays and interactive screens, are gaining popularity. Apparently businesses can be expected to increasingly invest in digital signage.
Sustainability: Sustainability is a growing concern in all industries, and the sign industry is expected to continue reducing its environmental footprint. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious which will see the demand for eco-friendly signage materials and energy-efficient technologies increase. The area of focus in the Canadian sign industry is expected to be the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting solutions
Regulatory changes and compliance: The regulatory landscape governing signage is subject to changes, thereby affecting how signs are designed and used. Staying informed about local regulations and ensuring compliance has been mentioned as crucial for the sign industry. This includes aspects such as size, lighting, and content.
Remote work impact: This comes up frequently but I’m not as convinced as some about its impact on the Canadian sign industry. I’m not sure that a lot of sign industry employees are able to work from home—other than designers—and I can’t imagine why home-based workers in other industries would need signs. Nevertheless, I’ve included it here because it does come up and perhaps you can make more sense of it than I can.
Overall, the message seems to be that there’s reason to be optimistic about 2024 in the Canadian sign industry provided that you stay in touch with trends and developments.