Following its formation in May 2015, Springer Nature – a new educational publishing brand – enlisted the services of Signbox to help create a vibrant new work environment for the company’s offices in London.

The sign specialist’s proposition comprised a host of bespoke signage and visual communication including wayfinding, directory, statutory, display graphics and glass manifestations across three buildings during a four-stage process.

The result of a merger between Springer Science+Business Media with the majority of Macmillan Science and Education, Springer Nature aims to become a major force in scientific, scholarly, professional and educational publishing and required a corporate office environment that would help stimulate and drive this vision.

Fit out contractor, ISG Interiors, was quick to recommend long-term partner Signbox and collaborated with the project architect, Broadway Malyan, as well as Springer Nature’s in-house designers, to develop a signage brief for Signbox. The latter responded with a comprehensive signage package, which included innovative systems composed of high quality materials that effectively visualise the brief and meet Springer Nature’s new brand guidelines.

The end result is a range of signage and applied graphics that offers a clean design based around the red, blue and white colour palette of the Springer Nature logo and an engaging campaign theme that focuses on ‘curiosity’ – which included work by a world famous street artist.

Signbox’s signage solution included:

– Corporate signage incorporating the company’s distinctive brand logo, featuring raised 3D lettering behind reception desk
– Suspended departmental signage that hung from the ceiling via robust rare-earth magnets to remove the need for drilling into the ceiling tiles
– Colourful ‘graffiti-style’ glass manifestations on exterior windows by the office entrance to draw attention from passers-by, and frosted interior glass manifestations on office windows for occupant privacy
– High quality wide format graphics of abstract imagery applied to office walls and breakout areas in communal spaces
– Wall displays featuring inspirational quotes from Albert Einstein and eye-catching cut-out designs
– Clear directories for individual floors, wayfinding signage for multiple areas such as cloakrooms and printers, as well as statutory signage for compliancy

“We were keen to enlist Signbox as we had successfully worked with the team on a previous brand signage and wayfinding system that was very well received,” explains Antony Johnson, Creative Director of BrandGuild, one of the project’s interior designers. “They’re naturally collaborative and forthcoming with valuable advice and we consider them an integral part of our brand implementation team.”

Highlighting a key example of Signbox’s on-site improvisation to tackle problems, Johnson adds: “We had certain issues regarding the replacement of signage on a problematic substrate that could not be easily repaired. Neil helped us get to a solution which was practical, but also distinctive. I have constantly been impressed and reassured by Signbox’s performance, and on the back of that positive experience I have already recommended the company to two other design colleagues working for other agencies.”

Mark Bartlett, Managing Director, Signbox comments: “As Springer Nature is a new company, all the design teams in this project were essentially presented with a clean canvas with which to help construct and implement the client’s brand identity. These types of office fit outs, while exciting, are also very challenging. You’re helping the client to set the tone of their brand identity at an early and vital stage of their development, and as such it’s paramount that every step in the process is meticulously thought out and executed.

“From working closely with the client, ISG, Broadway Malyan and the other sub-contractors – such as BrandGuild – to  the actual creation and installation of the signage systems, our whole team had to be on top of their game to create a stunning environment for Springer Nature’s employees and visitors. Everyone involved is delighted with the end-result.”