By signcraft
Posted on Sunday, June 8th, 2025
Lane Walker [Solo Signs, Reno, Nevada] lettered this showcard decades ago, but it’s a classic example of the beauty of simplicity—a one-color sign that uses contrasting line value, plenty of negative space and beautiful lettering to catch and hold the viewer’s eye.
Simple doesn’t mean boring. Simple means the layout is creative but not overdone. It’s appealing because it’s easy to read and understand. The message can have plenty of style and still be clean and simple. Special effects may dazzle some viewers, but simplicity can be bold and powerful, professional and tasteful, or classy and beautiful.
As designers, we like to do cool things. But the K.I.S.S. principle—“Keep it simple, stupid!”—can help you deliver signs that are much more effective and appealing. We have many more examples of simplicity at work in “Five ways to harness the power of simplicity” along with pointers to help you take advantage of its power.
Braun Bleamer, Jet Signs, Palmerton, Pennsylvania
