‘Signs Have Much to Say’
The story behind the story
Writing & publishing a signage & wayfinding children’s book
By Lauren Stern
Images courtesy of Lauren Stern
On March 27, it will be three years since I self-published my children’s book, “Signs Have Much to Say,” all about the importance of signage and wayfinding. I thought it would be fun to look back on how the book came to be and share a little peek behind the scenes of how this small but meaningful project came together.
The stories that started it all
My love of books began way back in elementary school. For several years, my classmates and I worked on writing and illustration projects that became real, hardbound books that we could proudly call our own. Looking back, those early projects planted a seed that would eventually grow into something much bigger. Fun fact: the name of the elementary school in the book was inspired by my own elementary school, Lansdowne Elementary, where my love of storytelling first began.
As I moved through school, I continued to follow my passion for storytelling and creativity. I studied interior design at Appalachian State University and later exhibition design at the Corcoran College of Art + Design, now known as the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. Through my courses, I explored visual storytelling and experiential design. After graduating, my career took me from fabrication shops to experiential design and signage and wayfinding-focused design firms.
The story that was waiting to be told
My love for storytelling came full circle in the summer of 2021 while spending time with my niece. As we read books together about topics like coding and architecture for kids, I realized something was missing. None of the books reflected my own field of experiential design. That’s when the idea hit me. I decided to combine my love of storytelling with my experience in design and write a book about signage and wayfinding. After all, signs are everywhere! From regulatory signs to information displays and identifiers, just like the title “Signs Have Much to Say,” the world around us is full of signs.
A big idea, a big collaboration
This passion project stayed on my mind for nearly a year. During that time, imposter syndrome kept creeping in, and I often found myself thinking, why even write this? Who would read it? I am not an expert in my field, so why should I even try?
However, in the summer of 2022, I finally decided it was time to take action. With self-publishing more accessible than ever, I realized I could bring this book to life without going through a traditional publishing house. I reached out to a talented illustrator whose style and creative process truly clicked with mine. Halfway across the world in Australia, James Bevelander helped bring these visual interpretations to life.
Working with James was an incredible experience. His unique perspective, shaped by living on the other side of the world and working in a different field, added so much to the book. One of his brilliant ideas was to personify the sign characters, which made the story even more engaging and fun.
How the book came together
This book took eight months from start to finish to self-publish. I shared the initial draft of the story with parents, teachers, and designers in the signage field to make sure it was clear and engaging, and I received wonderful feedback on what to keep, adjust, or add. James and I worked tirelessly to get every single page just right. The illustrations are very detailed, and I wanted readers of all ages to be able to take something meaningful from the book. James and I collaborated on MIRO, a platform that allowed us to share ideas and feedback, and held weekly video calls to ensure that no detail was overlooked. In addition, I created nine proofs with three different book printing companies to make sure the look, feel, and craftsmanship were exactly as I envisioned.
A fun, rhyming journey through signs
I started with just an idea, and it grew into a fun, creative storyline. The story follows a little girl named Lauren and her dog, which is a playful nod to me and my real-life furry best friend and co-worker, Dewey. Together, we go on an adventure, using signage and wayfinding to explore the world around us. Along the way, we check out signs at places like the zoo, hospital, and school, and we learn to appreciate just how important this field is. The rhyming storyline adds a playful rhythm that makes the book fun for readers of all ages.
How a community of creatives brought this story to life
Publishing a book can be expensive, so I decided to self-publish and reach out to the design community for sponsorships to help cover some of the costs. I was thrilled to partner with 21 incredible companies and designers from the industry, spread across the U.S. and even one in Canada. Each sponsor is featured in different ways throughout the book. Our top-tier sponsor, SouthWood Corporation, even has a special two-page spread. For the top two tiers, logos are thoughtfully and creatively placed throughout the scenes, appearing on billboards, flying blimps, fabrication cranes, and more. All three tiers have their names and websites listed in the back of the book and on the book’s website.
This book is a fun and engaging way to teach kids about the importance of signage and wayfinding, while also giving sponsors meaningful visibility. You never know who might be reading it to their child and later need help with a project. I truly cannot express how grateful I am to all the companies and designers who supported this idea. It honestly would not have been possible without them.
Time flies when you’re having fun
I can hardly believe it has been almost three years since I self-published this book. So much has happened since then! I have sold several hundred copies to readers around the world, shared the story behind “Signs Have Much to Say” at ISA Sign Expo in Las Vegas in 2023, and signed books at the SEGD Conference book fair in Washington, D.C., that same year, where I even sold out my copies! I also had the opportunity to present the book to students at an elementary school and introduce them to the field of experiential design, and they even got to meet Dewey. The book has also found a home in several local North Carolina libraries and independent bookstores, and I’ve had the chance to share my experience through interviews with multiple podcasts and magazines.
The most rewarding part, however, has been hearing from readers about what the book has meant to them. Parents have shared how much they loved being able to show their children what they do for a living, and how their kids now notice signs everywhere when they are out and about.
Christine Harris shared, “My daughter loves reading ‘Signs Have Much to Say,’ and it’s one of her favorites to pull off her bookshelf. She particularly loves the park and the little dog and all his adventures!”
Emily Goff said, “Our most-read book, night after night. The worn pages are proof of how much the kids adore it!”
And Raquel Medina added, “This book is so much fun! Any age would love it.”
Every time I read or hear stories like these, it makes all of the work putting this book together feel more than worth it.
Final thoughts
Since I am really passionate about signage and wayfinding, I tried to find children’s books on this topic to read to my niece and nephew, but I could not find any. That is when I decided to write one myself. With “Signs Have Much to Say,” I hope children and their parents come away with a greater appreciation for signage and wayfinding. I also hope that this book inspires young readers to consider a future in experiential graphic design.
I hope this article encourages you as well. If you notice a gap or feel like something is missing, do not be afraid to take action and bring your idea to life. You never know where it might lead or who it might inspire. The next time a child asks, “What do you do as a signage designer?” or “What is wayfinding?” I hope my book can help answer those questions and can be the spark that inspires a future signage and wayfinding expert. GP
Lauren Stern is the owner and experiential designer at Studio 618, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based consultancy specializing in story-driven signage and wayfinding. She transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences and authored “Signs Have Much to Say,” a children’s book about the importance of signage, available on Amazon. Learn more at studio618design.com.
