A Day in the Life at Signs & Lines
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at ‘Australia’s Most Awarded’* signage company? Most people only see the finished product -eg. signs installed on a building, at an airport, in a shopping centre or along a roadside. In reality, there’s a huge team of specialists working together to bring every project to life. Today, armed with a camera rather than a hard hat/pen/paper, I spent the day wandering through the Signs & Lines facility to see what everyone was up to. Whilst many of the team were MIA – out on site installing signs – welcome to a day in the life … at Signs & Lines.
Assembly
The first stop was our Assembly Department. Louie was carefully mixing resin for a series of custom wayfinding elements destined for BHP’s Perth headquarters. These striking resin and timber signs. The design concept formed part of an award-winning project. It requires a precise mix and finish to achieve the premium aesthetic demanded by one of Western Australia’s most prestigious office fit-outs. Louie is the man for the job!
Not far away, Jerome was assembling signage for the City of Stirling’s Trigg Bushland project. With installation scheduled for next week, the signs were undergoing final assembly and inspection before heading out the door. It’s always satisfying to see a project nearing completion. Particularly one that will help educate and guide visitors through such an important environmental area.
QC
Across in Quality Control, Jazmin was meticulously inspecting a batch of small illuminated letters. Every component, LED module and finish was checked to ensure the signs meet our exacting standards before being packed for delivery.
QC is our mantra …
- “Quality is everyone’s responsibility.” – a great quote by Edwards Deming
“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”
Number Crunching in Accounts
While manufacturing was in full swing, the office was equally busy. Robyn in Accounts – with able sidekick Choi – were tackling bank reconciliations, timesheets and invoicing. Keeping the financial side of the business running smoothly is just as important as making signs. It may not be as visible as fabrication or installation, but it’s a critical part of ensuring everything behind the scenes functions efficiently.
Getting Creative
In the Design Studio, Trine, Ish and Joel were deep in creative mode. They were developing concepts and preparing artwork for new projects. All ‘secret squirrrel!’. Every sign starts as an idea, and their work transforms client requirements into practical, buildable signage solutions.
Making the Pretty Pictures
Meanwhile, Mike was conducting quality control checks on a series of ECU posters,
Peta (and Jaz our wonderful Apprentice who is clearly multi-tasking today!) were busy laying down vinyl graphics with precision and attention to detail. Graphics is an area that demands high attention.
And this department always delights … Colour – pzzzazzz – imagery – life…
Always lovely to see our beautifully crafted architectural signs – plus posters, wallpaper, wall graphics, vinyl stickers, floor graphics, regulatory signs, statutory signage and everything in-between – come to life in our Graphics department.
Into Production – Prepping for Installation
Outside in the yard, Robbie was behind the wheel of a forklift, moving completed components from Fabrication through to Assembly. Nearby, Evan was preparing new totems using the Boral concrete truck. He was focused on ensuring the foundations would be ready for installation. Tristan from the Project Management team was checking progress against the job sheet. Always a team effort.
Phil was busy preparing bolt cages for the following day’s installation at the WACA. Like much of what happens in signage, these critical structural components are rarely seen once a project is complete, but they form the foundation of a successful installation.
All the while, Kevin was keeping a keen eye on everything and everyone, making sure the day’s plan was going to plan!
First Sell – then Deliver!
The Project Management and Sales teams were equally occupied, juggling quotes, site visits, client meetings and installation planning. Paula and Steve focusing on the key demands of the day – focus, focus, focus!
In one corner of the office, Mark and Trine were discussing the structural design requirements for a new pylon sign.
Working through engineering considerations to ensure the final design would be both visually impactful and structurally sound.
Leave no stone unturned!
Fabrication
Back on the factory floor, Adam was making tack welds on a fabrication project while Alex was setting up the router for the next production run. The hum of machinery and the sparks from the welding bay are constant reminders that every sign is built by skilled tradespeople with years of experience.
One area that was unusually quiet was the Paint Shop. The painters were scheduled for night shift, meaning the department was temporarily in rest mode before coming alive later in the evening.
Photo Evidence
At the end of the day, one thing was abundantly clear: signage is a true team effort. From accounts and design through to fabrication, graphics, assembly, project management and installation, every department plays a vital role in delivering successful projects for our clients. What a day in the life!
And me? I spent the day capturing it all through the lens of a camera, documenting the people, skills and teamwork that make Signs & Lines what it is today.
Because behind every sign is a story—and behind every story is a great team.
*ASGA (Australian Sign & Graphics Association) Awards 2024
