Design inspiration is all round. All you have to do is keep your eyes open. Here are two projects that were recently completed for the Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque. These high impact areas are a circular bar/lounge environment and a steakhouse that takes it’s name and inspiration from an old movie from 1958 called Thunder Road. The goal for Route 66 was creating two new venues which were destination draws in their own right and which would increase existing customer loyalty as well. We also worked and made solutions to meet budget goals without compromising the impact of the areas and the owners are very happy with the result.  

For the lounge environment, the overall design inspiration was taken from nature in the swirling pattern of a nautilus shell and accents like multi-layered columns clad with iridescent metal and a beaded curtain with programmable color changing LED lighting, all flows together to create the overall effect. This lounge is designed to be a place to sit down and relax while still being in the center of the action. Within Thunder Road we combined southwest décor and old Route 66 imagery to create a truly unique entertainment experience. The police car above the bar is on a mechanical lift and when a band is performing the car raises up into the ceiling, revealing the stage. Another unique design element is the moonshiner’s car that has crashed through the wall and hangs into the dining area, making patrons wonder if the driver was sampling while on a delivery! All of the elements were designed by I5 and the entire installation was completed with no downtime for the casino.

These are just two examples of venue design and implementation that capture the attention and imagination of customers. The inspiration for these projects were from opposite ends of the concept spectrum, but that’s ok. Design possibilities are limited only by opening your eyes and ears. Enjoy the video and remember, design inspiration is all around.

Why switch from Neon Sign to LED Sign?

We have found that using LED lighting fixtures instead of neon can reduce your costs and actually add more impact to your signage.

• LED signs are brighter than neon signs – they are more noticeable!
• LED signs are more energy efficient – it consumes up to 90% less electricity than neon signs!
• LED signs last up to 100,000 hours of usage
• LED signs are great for indoor use and perfect for window advertisement
• LED signs do not use mercury – it will never leak poisonous gasses
• LED signs are very easy to maintain
• LED signs have more color options available
• LED signs are more affordable than comparable neon signs
• LED signs incorporate movement in their designs. It can flash, change colors, animate in many ways and even have graphics!
  

LED signs are the future and have come to replace the neon sign technology. Make the switch and let LED signs offer you endless possibilities.

If you have ever looked into finding permit and zoning information from cities and counties for facade upgrades, signage or anything else exterior design related; you know that it can certainly take some time. However, many counties have made parcel information available online allowing you to obtain much of the parcel data on the county's website. Google Earth can also be a great asset with the "street view" feature on their maps you can pin point your building on the aerial view. These tools, along with detailed shop drawings, sign specifications, and a clear site plan will all help in moving along the process. Our permit technicians at I-5 Design utilize these resources to ensure accurate information and the most efficient time frame.

"As a production worker at I-5 Design, it is inspiring to see the individual elements generated by our designers become a reality within days.  Our design team works closely with our production leaders to ensure that each part of the design is produced with every intricate detail in mind.  Our in-house, state-of-the-art software and machinery makes it possible to manufacture the highest quality products with precision and efficiency.  Every step is manufactured with the end product in mind – production makes sure that the installation process is a systematic performance.   Each individual process is considered a vital role that creates a dynamic and awe-inspiring end result for our clients.  In our daily “brainstorm” meetings we discuss ways for each member of the production team to advance their skills and abilities, as well as turn-key solutions and innovative ways to exceed each customer’s expectations and to surpass original projections."

Special thanks to Sarah K. for this great insight to the I5 Design & Manufacture production teams daily operations!

In retail, getting customers in your door is a promising first step.  But engaging them with design elements and subtly directing them around and through your space can prompt longer shopping times and more purchases.

Designated themed areas spotlight items linked by use, color, origin, or other distinguishing features.  Dramatic lighting focuses attention on displays that draw customer interest. Strategically placed way-finding signage directs customer flow to featured items and encourages buying.

Leveraging the power of appealing design and smart customer flow can boost profitability. In planning your retail environment – whether a new construction or a remodel – ensure that customers can easily find their way to merchandise you want to sell and they want to buy.

The exterior façade of your building defines your business on multiple levels. It can provide initial answers to questions potential customers consider as they decide whether to enter your doors:  Will I find what I want here?  Is this my kind of place? Will I feel comfortable being here?  Will I want to return here again?

First impressions are often lasting impressions.  That’s why as the first visual representation of your brand, your façade design can create both positive and negative expectations in potential customers. 

Attention to design detail and putting yourself in a customer’s place can tip the scales in your favor.  If it rains a lot in your location, or if the sun generates glare and heat, consider a roof awning as part of your façade design.

If your site is surrounded by traditional and conservative architecture, a glitzy exterior may not be the right design solution.  If your targeted customers expect you to provide a certain style and quality of products and services, presenting a façade design at odds with those expectations will not earn you new and repeat business.

It’s been said that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. All the more reason to put the right face on your business when you build or remodel.

In 2009 the U.S. Gaming industry reported a decrease in revenues of $1.78 billion. This 2.6 percent dip represents the first decline in three decades and with new competition ready to ante up, private and tribal-owned casino venues are looking for new ways to attract and retain customers.

The pinch of economic slowdown is being felt in more than 25 states that are currently seeking to increase their gaming operations as a way to bridge budgetary gaps.  Revenue-generating strategies will likely include new casino design and theme elements to engage gamers and non-gamers, coupled with cost-efficient installations that deliver flexibility and ongoing value.

To get and keep competitive advantage, many casino owners will be looking for design and manufacturing partners that can supply new construction or remodel and retrofit packages at a price that won’t break the bank.  These partnerships may be the most important investment gaming industry players can make in a new year that promises expanded competition.

From retail centers; to financial services branches; to entertainment, gaming and dining venues, design professionals are fielding an increasing number of requests to create exterior facades and interior environments based on environmentally friendly materials.

Business owners and operators have discovered that from their customers’ perspective, design elements inspired by natural materials can make spaces look upscale, comfortable, professional, elegant and more.

But it’s not all about looks, it’s also about sustainability.  Using low-emitting, energy-saving and recycled materials and systems in overall design can reduce maintenance, improve energy-efficiency, eliminate pest damage and help curb rising operational costs.

Eco-friendly materials can also earn organizations and businesses “green building” laurels, leading to increased customer satisfaction and higher levels of staff productivity.

There’s an old saw that says in business, you tend to deal with those you know.  That means there’s strategic and marketing value in establishing long-term business relationships and in playing the “local” card.

A premiere way to display home-town character is in the exterior and interior design of your company’s place of business.

In the financial services industry, independent banks create their own brand identity and can feature design that relates to the communities they serve.  Institutions located in distinctive geographic locales may choose design elements such as facades, colors, textures, and accessories that suggest a regional theme and promote a sense of shared community. Other banks may draw design inspiration from a customer base that shares a strong cultural or ethnic heritage.

For larger institutions with extensive branch operations, creating exteriors and interiors that help establish a sense of community must incorporate national or regional brand design such as logos, colors and other elements.  Melding the two identities allows branch operations to be recognized more readily as a community banks and to compete successfully for local business.

If you’re on a tight budget and timeframe, the last things you need in a new construction or remodeling project are surprises – design elements that aren’t what you envisioned, structural elements not positioned where you planned, and more.

To avoid surprises, you need a design and manufacturing firm that can help you track your project visually from concept to completion.

Advanced hardware and software technologies can deliver video walk-throughs of your project, detailing exterior and interior structural and design elements. 

Digital capabilities also can help you visualize your space from a customer’s perspective, gauging the impact of theme, color, lighting, décor and other design features.

Viewing your space as it will look on completion allows you to make adjustments to the design while it’s still in the planning stage.  That can help to bring in your project on time, on spec and on budget.