Everyone loves to be entertained, but even more so when it comes to signs. Flashing, blinking marquees, vivid colors, and bright lights certainly attract attention. However, they can be irritating and over-stimulating at times. Outside of Las Vegas, are blinking signs a thing of the past? According to some, flashing and blinking signs are outdated and should be consigned to history. Let’s take a closer look to determine if blinking signs are still relevant and useful advertising tools.
The Pros of Blinking Signs
Like other forms of signage, blinking signs have unique advantages that are worth examining. Signs that blink and flash offer the following benefits:
- They’re eye-grabbing. It’s difficult to keep customers’ attention in today’s marketplace. With so much competition out there, it can be challenging to stand out. During the day, illuminated signs may be easy to miss, and the same goes for unlit signs at night. Blinking and flashing signs, on the other hand, evoke an instant response at any time of day.
- They’re multi-functional. Entertainment venues just wouldn’t be the same without marquees and blinking signs. They are exciting to watch, and they tend to energize audiences. However, blinking signs are also highly useful for traffic signaling. This type of signage compels our attention, so it’s perfect for warning civilians of potential hazards.
The Cons of Blinking Signs
Now, let’s discuss why blinking signs aren’t always an ideal choice:
- They can trigger photosensitive individuals. Blinking signs and flashing lights can be harmful to certain people. In some cases, they even cause seizures.
- They can be a turn-off to customers. If blinking signs are too aggressive or use overly harsh lighting, some of your customers might find them off-putting. If it’s enough of an issue, they could take their business elsewhere.
The Verdict
So: are blinking signs worth investing in, or not? It all comes down to what type of business you own. Is the signage appropriate for your audience? Does it serve a purpose? If you’re only using blinking signs because they’re eye-catching, that can be problematic. For instance, you wouldn’t want to employ this type of signage outside a day-spa or a therapeutic medical office. Blinking signs can sometimes appear tasteless or suggest that the company is relying on cheap marketing tactics. With that being said, other scenarios are better-suited to blinking signs. These include movie theaters, nightclubs, amusement parks, or important locations like airports and busy streets. These signs are even expected by consumers in these areas, so they don’t seem out-of-place.
Our verdict: Blinking signs aren’t outdated, they just need to be used correctly. Always refer back to your audience, your goals and the purpose of your signage to determine if they’re right for you.
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