Mural signage refers to a type of signage that incorporates murals, which are large-scale artworks painted or applied directly on walls or other surfaces.

These murals are often designed to convey a specific message or visually represent the identity of a business or organization.

Mural signage can be a highly effective form of advertising as it captures attention and creates a visually appealing display. By transforming a plain surface into a captivating artwork, mural signage can draw people’s attention and generate interest in the business or product being promoted.

Additionally, mural signage can contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of a neighborhood or community. It can enhance the visual landscape and create a unique and memorable environment.

When utilized for commercial purposes, mural signage can effectively communicate the brand, values, or offerings of a business. It serves as an opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves and create a visually striking presence.

Overall, mural signage combines the artistic elements of murals with the functional purpose of traditional signage, making it a powerful way to communicate messages, attract attention, and enhance the visual appeal of a space.

Benefits of Mural Signage

Murals offer a number of unique benefits as a marketing tool for businesses:

Increased brand awareness and visibility: Murals provide high visibility in areas with heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Their large-scale visuals attract attention from passersby, raising awareness of the brand^[1]

Tells a visual story and conveys brand values: Murals allow brands to communicate their mission, personality and values through compelling visual storytelling. They provide an artistic medium for expressing a company’s identity^[2].

Creates a connection with the local community: Murals foster positive community relationships by partnering with local artists and beautifying neighborhoods. This provides an avenue for brands to engage with residents.

Provides a unique experience that encourages social shares: Murals create share-worthy, interactive experiences. Consumers love to take photos with branded murals and share them on social media, driving further reach.

Cost-effective compared to other forms of advertising: Large, high-quality murals can be created for a fraction of the cost of print, TV or digital ads. Their longevity also ensures continued brand exposure over time.

Overall, murals allow for vivid, artistic brand storytelling on an impactful, community-oriented medium. This drives brand awareness and social engagement in a cost-efficient manner.

Types of Businesses That Benefit from Mural Signage

Certain types of businesses stand to gain the most from implementing a mural signage strategy. The high visibility and artistic nature of murals makes them an ideal marketing tool for the following industries:

Restaurants: Murals depicting mouth-watering food, drinks, and ambiance help attract new diners. They also provide a creative backdrop for outdoor seating areas. Popular casual dining chains like Applebee’s and TGI Fridays have used exterior murals to reinforce their fun, lively brand image.

Retail Stores: Retail chains can commission murals showcasing their products, staff, and customers. Murals bring blank exterior walls to life while showcasing retail brands. For example, the clothing retailer Guess installed a stylish mural at its flagship Beverly Hills store.

Hotels: Murals in hotel lobbies or on building exteriors help establish a unique sense of place. Luxury hotels like The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas feature massive lobby murals that immerse guests in the property’s artsy aesthetic.

Event Venues: Venues use murals to showcase upcoming concerts, festivals, conferences, and more. The Brooklyn Mirage music venue commissioned murals depicting DJs and pulsating lights to hype upcoming shows.

Non-Profits/Community Organizations: Charities, schools, and other community groups install inspirational murals that share their mission. Non-profits like Greenpeace have used thought-provoking murals on building exteriors to raise awareness for their causes.

How to Implement a Mural Signage Strategy

Implementing a successful mural signage strategy takes careful planning and execution. Here are the key steps to bring your mural idea to life:

First, research local regulations on murals. Most cities require permits and approval before painting a mural. Make sure to check zoning laws and get any required permits before starting.

Next, determine your goals and develop the mural concept. Decide what story you want to tell or message to convey that aligns with your brand values. Create concept drawings and get feedback from stakeholders.

Then, find the right mural artist or company to bring your concept to life. Look at their previous work and ability to translate ideas into impactful murals. Be clear on timeline and budget expectations.

Choose a highly visible location like the side of your building or a busy public area. Consider foot traffic and visibility from the street. Ensure the wall surface is primed and ready for painting.

Promote the mural on social media as it’s being painted to raise awareness. Share timelapse videos and behind-the-scenes photos. Host an unveiling event when it’s complete.

Lastly, maintain the mural over time. Use protective sealants and do touch ups periodically. Keep the area around the mural clean and well-lit.

Case Study 1: Restaurant Brand Murals

Joe’s Crab Shack is a national seafood restaurant chain with over 130 locations across the United States. In 2015, the company wanted to update its brand image and connect with younger consumers in a crowded restaurant market. As part of this rebranding effort, Joe’s Crab Shack partnered with local artists to paint exterior murals at many of its restaurant locations.

The murals featured brightly colored, cartoon-like depictions of sea creatures and underwater scenes representing the restaurant’s coastal vibe and menu offerings. Each location had a unique mural designed specifically for that community. The murals quickly garnered attention on social media and drove engagement from customers.

For Joe’s Crab Shack, the murals had a significant impact. They increased brand awareness and visibility, announced the rebranding to communities, and showed Joe’s commitment to local artists. The murals created a buzz both online and at restaurant locations, leading to a 15% increase in same-store sales that year. Overall, the mural signage strategy successfully reinvigorated the brand, especially among millennials.

Redesigning Digital Collaboration at Salesforce

Overview of business: Salesforce is a global cloud computing company that provides customer relationship management services. They have over 150,000 employees worldwide.

How they used a mural: Salesforce used Mural to redesign their workshops for digital collaboration. They created an interactive 3-hour workshop to help their designers learn effective techniques for digital collaboration. The workshop was delivered remotely using Mural.

Impact on brand: The Mural workshop helped align Salesforce’s design teams on how to collaborate digitally. It improved collaboration and efficiency between team members in different locations. The workshop showcased Salesforce’s focus on digital transformation and innovation.

The Future of Mural Signage

Mural signage is becoming an increasingly popular strategy as more brands realize the benefits. Here are some key trends to watch and tips for staying ahead of the curve with your mural signage efforts:

Some notable trends include:

– More interactive and digitally-enhanced murals using augmented reality and QR codes to engage audiences

– A rise in short-term, temporary murals that can be changed out seasonally or for events

– More environmentally conscious mural materials like low-VOC paints and reusable vinyl

To stay ahead, brands should:

– Consider interactive technologies to create engaging experiences

– Plan murals that can be easily updated or rotated

– Use eco-friendly materials and methods

– Monitor mural signage trends and innovations

– Partner with experienced muralists who offer fresh concepts and ideas

Conclusion

There are many benefits to implementing a mural signage strategy for businesses. Murals are an effective tool for increasing brand visibility and awareness in a unique and memorable way. They allow businesses to visually tell their brand story and convey their values to the local community. Murals also provide a cost-effective form of advertising compared to other traditional methods.

This guide outlined the key advantages of mural signage, the types of businesses that can benefit most, and the steps involved in bringing a mural campaign to life. To recap, the ideal mural signage process involves research, goal-setting, finding the right artist, choosing a visible location, promotion on social media, and ongoing maintenance. The case studies demonstrated real-world examples of successful murals that drove engagement and interest.

In closing, murals allow you to showcase your brand creatively while forming a deeper connection with your surrounding community. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box marketing tactic that delivers results, a strategic mural is a savvy investment. Follow the advice provided in this guide to develop an impactful mural that tells your unique brand story. With thoughtful planning and execution, your mural can become a much-loved local landmark and valuable marketing asset.