Hello, readers!

Welcome back to Meet the Makers, a series that takes a playful, engaging approach to showcasing the personalities and expertise of sign pros while staying rooted in the signage industry. This week, we’re heading to Ontario to meet Terence Davis, owner and lead sign specialist at Elevated Signs.

Elevated Signs specializes in modern, bold, clean, corporate-style signage designed with precision, clarity, and longevity in mind. Serving clients across Canada, the company focuses on delivering clean, detail-driven solutions that not only elevate a space but also reflect the character and values of the businesses behind them.

Davis is best described as a detail devotee with a designer’s mindset. He believes signage should do more than identify a building—it should communicate who a company is at a glance. By pairing thoughtful design with practical execution and maintaining a strong emphasis on clear communication, he has built Elevated Signs into a trusted partner for brands ready to invest in signage that represents them well—now and for years to come.

Here are his responses to our five offbeat questions:

What’s your sign superpower?

My sign superpower is translating an abstract brand into a physical, built reality. Many businesses know how they want their brand to feel, but turning that feeling into materials, finishes, depth, scale, and placement is where signage often loses its purpose. Too often, signs become decoration instead of communication.

I prioritize clarity above everything else, making sure the sign says exactly what the business needs it to say before worrying about making it look impressive. I specialize in modern, bold, clean, corporate-style signage where restraint, precision, and intentional design decisions matter. When it is done right, the sign does not just sit on a building. It communicates who the business is without needing explanation.

What’s the most challenging project you’ve worked on?

One of our most challenging projects was 1117 Colborne St E, not because of the design, but because of what came before it.

This sign started as a full teardown. We completely disassembled the existing structure down to the posts, addressed years of wear, alignment issues, and outdated construction, and rebuilt it properly from the ground up. Every phase required careful planning: from structural integrity and material selection to tenant layout, code compliance, and long-term durability.

Projects like this aren’t just about making something look good. They’re about making sure it’s built right, functions long-term, and represents every business on the pylon professionally. That means slowing things down when needed, making the right calls early, and rebuilding instead of patching when the situation demands it.

The finished result speaks for itself … a clean, modern, and future-proof sign structure designed to serve this plaza for years to come.

This is the kind of challenge we enjoy most:

Taking something tired, breaking it down completely, and rebuilding it the right way.

What’s a favourite sign or sign system you’ve created?

One of my favourite projects was the signage for Twisted Lemon in Cayuga, Ont. What made this project stand out was the opportunity to lean fully into creativity and execution.

I designed and built a sign featuring a textured, raised background with custom three-dimensional floral patterning. This approach is not commonly used in the signage world, largely because it requires more planning, more precision, and greater care during installation. That challenge is what made the project so enjoyable.

Twisted Lemon is an established business that attracts top clientele from around the world. Being able to create signage that matched that level of quality in a small-town setting made the project especially rewarding. It is a strong example of how thoughtful design and craftsmanship can elevate a brand’s physical presence.

If signage could talk, what’s the funniest thing a sign has ever ‘said’ to you?

If signs could talk, they would probably say, “You really thought this wall was straight, didn’t you?” Every installer knows the moment. The drawings are perfect, the measurements are perfect, the level says you are good, and then the building decides to remind you who is really in charge.

Walls are never straight. They just wait until install day to tell you… and they usually do it when the customer is watching.

What’s the one piece of signage advice you wish everyone knew?

The best signage advice I can give is not just about signage. A motto a friend and I came up with when I first started in sales still sits underneath everything I do. “It’s just people talking to people.”

Too many people hide behind emails, ads, and social media posts. Great signage starts with real conversation. Sometimes that conversation leads to a project. Sometimes it does not. Either way, it is about sharing knowledge, understanding what a brand truly needs, and helping people move closer to the right solution for their business.

At the end of the day, signage is not just about materials and measurements. It is about trust. When you start with real conversations, the signage almost builds itself.

Follow Elevated Signs:

Website: https://elevatedsigns.ca/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/elevated-signs-inc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedsigns/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedsignsinc/