evolution of the wickenburg billboard
A few years ago the Wickenburg (Arizona) Chamber of Commerce decided it was time for a new roadside billboard. The driving factor was the condition, as the existing sign was aging and worn (above). With the prospect of a new billboard came the possibility of revamping the design.
It was a real opportunity. The existing billboard was fairly chaotic-looking, with a jumble of content. It lacked a central point of focus, which is a critical feature in signage that will be viewed at highway speeds.
Julie Brooks, the chamber’s executive director, provided a starting point. She sent over a photo of a much older billboard (above), a lively example of traditional southwestern design.
With the historic photo as inspiration, the new sign began to take shape. Now installed along the highway into town, the new billboard (below) serves as a contemporary calling card for Wickenburg, combining updated content with the classic aesthetics of the old West.
