August 24, 2021 Reanne Duffy

If you think turning heads with a vehicle livery means it has to be a wrap, this might change your mind…

 

Design really matters and it comes in many flavours. It’s sometime said of engineering design that its practitioners can accomplish with ten pence, what any other person would spend a pound on. That finds its parallel in signs and graphics at Gloucester based Smuj Creative. Smuj, that’s Sophie and her small team, can accomplish with a little printed, cut and applied material what others might think would mandate a full wrap.

 

One client who recently benefitted from a visit to Smuj was JG Landscaping. The company came looking for a new look and a livery, and presented a tired looking logo in very blue hues, together with a van practically designed to clash with it thanks to its being orange. Seen through the glass Smuj holds up to such things, it started with design.

 

Working with the van colour as base canvas, the team at Smuj dreamed up a livery founded on a palette of autumnal colours and cast them into a design depicting a wonderfully stylised tree that dominates the design. Other elements of the livery are consigned to panels containing the detail.

 

Material selection contributes to the feel of the design. Gloss and matt work together in an interplay of contrasts that transcend colour alone. It lends the design depth it would otherwise be denied and powerfully distinguishes the livery from others.

 

The application of the design is as well executed as the design itself. It has produced the kind of result that makes you want to stand back and admire it. When you do, it’s worth remembering, what’s impressing you is not a wrap. It’s printed, cut and applied graphics and it looks sensational. Smuj Creative’s customer agrees. It’s a head-turning livery.

 

The livery was produced using Metamark MD5 and Metamark M7. Digital print, meets SignVinyl and the two get along brilliantly. The print, thanks to the material’s MD-Class credentials deliver exactly what the talented designer asked of it. It’s a great result.

 

Start with design and think media later seems to be the indicated action here. It sure worked out well for Smuj Creative and its customer.