Specialized Signs were commissioned to design and create freestanding totems for a temporary exhibition which could be dismantled, stored and relocated with ease to a number of sites around the south of England.
The brief was to create x3 free standing graphic panels, suitable for public display in an area of heavy foot traffic, with an illuminated element spanning the entirety of the display.
A robust finish was chosen to ensure the longevity of the totems given the public space they were to be displayed in and prevent damage during derig and reinstallation.
18mm plywood boxes made up the base plates which were left open at the rear to allow for cinder blocks to be placed within the cavity, providing stabilising weight.
A timber frame was constructed to act as the structure for the graphic panel.
Threaded rod was secured into the cinder blocks, and up into the timber frame to provide additional vertical bracing to the graphic panel structure, as well as the timber frame being mechanically fixed into ply base box.
3 of the 5 cinder blocks could be removed to reduce the weight for transportation.
The full structure was clad in ACM (aluminium composite material), a robust yet lightweight signage solution, including a backing panel to the base box held on with minimal fixings. The ACM was CNC cut and folded to give as few evident joins within the cladding as possible. The CNC folded ACM gives the impression of being a seamless box while being easily controlled during the manufacturing process to create an efficient, robust high end finish.
Polymeric printed and laminated SAV (self adhesive vinyl) graphics were applied to the display face of each of the totems to display the brand message.
Both the SAV and ACM have a strong, scratch resistant finish allowing for easy cleaning throughout the exhibition’s lifespan.
LED Neon Flex was specified for the illuminated element of the display. Neon Flex is the modern evolution of glass neon. It consists of LED ribbon encased in silicone, giving it a durable finish while being very malleable, allowing for complex shapes to be constructed. In order to hold the Neon Flex in place, it is bonded in shape to a clear acrylic backplate which has minimal visual disruption, and even less evident when the LED is illuminated.
All the required drivers were mounted inside the cavity of the base boxes and all wiring taken out the face of the ACM at the exact connection point to the LED Neon Flex. Wago connectors were used for quick release and reattaching of cable elements for transport and storage.
LED Neon flex is bright, lightweight, easily worked into intricate shapes and needs very little power for illumination, requiring a standard 240V 3pin plug to operate. Clear acrylic is tough with a degree of flexibility. Both materials providing the ideal solution to the exhibitions contextual requirements. Specialized Signs transported and installed the exhibition in its first location of Kings Cross Station and ran through the build and rerig requirements with the client for clarity when the temporary exhibition was to be moved by others to a new location.
