Tales of Photopolymer

Fabricators that incorporate the Nova Polymers system in their work come to photopolymer from different fields including wholesalers, architectural fabrication, and sign system specialists. Eyecandy SIGNS INC., based in Halifax Nova Scotia, came to photopolymer the way many companies do. The company was awarded a project that required photopolymer, and after dissatisfaction with outside vendors, brought the process in-house. That is when eyecandy SIGNS INC. discovered the diverse and amazing applications of photopolymer. “We are a craft based company”, proclaims Allison Moz, the creative director for eyecandy SIGNS INC. The organization predominantly hires artisans and takes a quality based custom approach to projects. The idea of incorporating a new process was an intriguing challenge.

Eyecandy SIGNS INC. started by diving deep into both the photopolymer process and accessible sign codes. Moz adds, “I relied heavily on Nova Poymers staff in the beginning, particularly Dave Miller, and we had extended live and phone conversations on accessibility, the ADA, Canadian practices, and wayfinding best practices”. This ongoing dialogue was invaluable when taking on an enormous wayfinding project requiring 3000 accessible signs. The ongoing resource support allowed eyecandy SIGNS INC. to absorb both the spirt and letter of the accessibility codes, which they then integrated into wayfinding best practices for the organization.

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In addition to absorbing information and advice from Nova Polymers, eyecandy SIGNS INC. began an extensive experimentation process. As company policy, eyecandy SIGNS INC. provides artisans a few hours each week to experiment with materials and process. Fore example, photopolymer was paired with different substrates and at various thickness. The material was even curved and wrapped. Successful experiments were then recorded in the organization’s database. This approach to play and innovation came in handy when working with leading wayfinding design firm Entro Communications on Eastern Hospital in Newfoundland. The design firm integrated photopolymer into the wayfinding signs in ways that pushed the creative limits for the material. The approach was equally successful on another project that required 3000 simple tactile signs.

Finally, the embrace of photopolymer allowed eyecandy SIGNS INC. to marry ITS craft-based culture with modern efficient manufacturing processes. Moz proclaims, We found we could maintain our quality standards and reduce wait times for new sign replacements from weeks to days. With photopolymer in the tool belt, eyecandy SIGNS INC. sees a bright future as a wayfinding innovator.