Interpretive PanelInterpretive Panel


Interpretive Panel
Welcome to Shelley Signs.  We are a leading supplier of external signs and panels with a particular expertise in Interpretive Panels.  Please explore the website – the Showcase Section has a large library of photographs illustrating signs, panels, framing structures and graphics.  For a chat about the options phone Robert Shelley on 01952 541483.

Interpretive Panels

Also known as Interpretive board, sign

Overview of Product
An carefully designed and logically constructed interpretive panel can be an invaluable tool in helping to promote features of interest at a site while helping to influence the behaviour of visitors.  Although more work than you might expect goes into the design of an interpretive panel one of the hidden benefits is that, once installed, it takes little management time.

Technical Spec
Interpretive panels are often associated with sites rich in natural history, flora and fauna.  However the benefit of panels in the interpretation of a site extends to our built heritage, archaeology and history as well.  Often these subjects are overlooked when interpretive panels are commissioned but is should be remembered that many visitors find the human interest stories in interpretation fascinating.  Historical themes provide great scope for bold and dramatic illustrations on an interpretive panel – and help create the impact that draws visitors to read and learn.
Many museums and council libraries have a fantastic range of old or archive images – we have produced suburb interpretive panels using old, grainy images of buildings, workers, quarry and mine faces or the landed gentry at play.  With a picture telling a 1,000 words these old images can lead to evocative interpretation – exactly what we are all trying to achieve in a sign or leaflet!
As well as old images for an historical interpretive sign consideration should be given to an artists water colour illustration.  At Shelley Signs we work with a highly talented illustrator who has produced some stunning reproductions of interpretive historical scenes for panels – colourful and with a mixture of times of the day and people this approach can be stunning.
In addition to design consideration must be given to the location of the interpretive sign when installed, the most suitable material for the sign to be printed in and the framing structures to be employed.  Choices between oak or softwood lectern frames, steel lecterns, vertical or post mounted signs creates a huge impact in the environment and will help influence how well each interpretive sign is received and accepted by visitors and the local population.


Case Study
Shropshire Council, with funding from Advantage West Midlands have commissioned a series of interpretive panels for Bridgnorth.  Designed as a museum in the street the panels interpret different parts of the history and heritage of the town through old photographs and water colours.  The watercolour illustrations on the interpretive panels provide a reproduction of the castle, the school house and several river side scenes.  The project has attempted to capture, through the medium of an interpretive sign, the difference between the wealth of the gentry and the desperate poverty of the