In a change to the usual voting process, the awards were voted for by the franchisees for the first time ever, making this a true reflection of the centre's talent. Welcoming franchisees from their 70 centres across the UK and Ireland, the convention was a huge success, celebrating past achievements and looking towards the future, a notion supported by their futuristic space themed evening event. The blind vote for the sign awards took place at lunchtime on the day of the convention with the entries displayed on boards lining one of the walls at the conference. The Best Sign Project category received a large amount of high quality entries and so this became a much sought after award! Signs Express York entered their project for the shop signage they provided for Vision Optics. Signs Express YorK undertook the project to transform the external signage for Vision Value. The independent opticians had been established for over twenty years and in recent times had received increasing competition from high street opticians who portrayed a more contemporary and modern image to customers. Having only a new trading name for the business, 'Vision Optics', the client contacted the York team to design a new logo for the business; one which portrayed a professional yet contemporary image allowing the opticians to reposition itself in the market. The team worked to the brief ensuring that the designs were suitable for the multi locations allowing the optician to roll out the new branding to its stores throughout Yorkshire. Signs Express York produced an eye catching and prevailing design which could be adapted to adhere to the planning constraints which are imposed locally but also allowed the flexibility of illumination in other sites. The client was overwhelmed with the finished project; the transformation was astonishing, bringing the opticians in to the 21st century. Feedback from their clients continues to be very positive and has had a direct impact on sales and increased foot fall in to the store. The store has now got premises in the Trinity Centre, Leeds and the new signage has been installed – the fantastic design not only looks fabulous in this historic city but also fits in seamlessly to the North's most modern retail outlet. Signs Express managing director Craig Brown commented: 'This project shows just how much signage can impact your brand and business identity. The York team have done a fantastic job with the new design, bringing this company's image into the modern day. Signs Express York have certainly shown what good signage is really about with this fantastic project' Signs Express York was established in 1994 and so is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. The highly skilled team, led by franchisee Ian Dawson, offer a full range of signs and graphics solutions to York and the surrounding area.