When 22-year-old Charlie Gale glanced at a novelty bookmark in a store in Nottingham, little did he know that he was about to embark on a potentially life-changing journey.
The product design undergraduate marvelled at the bookmark’s use of lenticular printing before his attention was drawn to a road sign outside the shop. The Nottingham Trent University student made the connection almost instantly.
After his eureka moment, Gale set about designing road signs that change appearance as motorists approach them. An image printed on a roundabout sign designed by the student appears to rotate as light hits it at different angles. This illusion of movement, described as a “pulse” by Gale, is intended to attract the attention of motorists, such that they become more aware of the sign (and the approaching hazard).
One of the major advantages of Gale’s invention is that, unlike digital signage, the ‘3D’ displays require no source of energy. The student is currently in the process of protecting his designs, having already established a company, Keyframe Signage, with the backing of Nottingham Trent University.
Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we are interested to find out how transport officials respond to this exciting new design. We wish Mr Gale every success as he tries to bring his idea to market.