Alternate Solutions Abstract

Alternate Solutions Rationale

Alternate Solution 1: Alternate Solution 1, the simplest, low profile solution, comprised of a simple sign with a single post for support. This sign stands out as the least structurally sound because of the single post. However, the simple structure permits visitors to immerse themselves in the information as opposed to getting distracted by the sign’s complicated structure. Alternate Solution 1’s lack of structural integrity and strength decreases the useful life of the sign, resulting in wear-and-tear due to weather forces and visitors’ strains.

            Alternate Solution #1 has a rectangular presentation sign with dimensions of 24” x 18”. This rectangular sign has rounded corners, making the solution safer for visitors’ under the age of 6. The rectangular sign tilts at a 45 degree angle allowing visitors to, with ease, see and read the information the sign presents. The solution’s post measures 5” in length, 5” in width, and a maximum height of 36”. The top of the post cuts at a 45 degree angle to properly display the rectangular sign. The post’s dimensions creates a reliable, but inconspicuous support system.

            Plexiglas serves as a possible material for Alternate Solution #1. Plexiglas, a chemical and heat resistant plastic, will withstand the test of time. Plexiglas brings a new, sleek look to Deep Cut Gardens. Plexiglas provides an affordable option for Alternate Solution #1. The average 24” x 18” sheet of 1” thick Plexiglas costs $117.72. DuraReader serves as another option for Alternate Solution #1. DuraReader, on the more pricy side, gets produced by a company (Envirosigns) and uses 100% recycled materials. The average low profile DuraReader sign costs approximately $534.95. DuraReader offers a 10 year warranty and provides a cushion of insurance that within the 10 years.

            Alternate Solution #1 may be hand-made or produced by a professional sign company. For making the solution by hand, different joints and screws must keep the Plexiglas fastened. Using a professional signage company ensures the durability and accuracy of the sign. Envirosigns, a highly recommended company, produces eco-friendly, durable signs with a 10 year warranty. However, buying a professional produced sign proves more expensive than making the sign by hand. Also, the stakeholders must approve the desired company.

            To further explore possible problems, lack of complete support for Alternate Solution #1 makes the durability and integrity of this solution questionable. The sign easily breaks or tilts because of the mere one post. If any visitor tests or applies too much weight to the sign, the sign may break under pressure. A problem concerning Plexiglas also arises from Alternate Solution #1.  The Plexiglas does not blend well with the pre-established signage in Deep Cut Gardens. Although Plexiglas does not blend with Deep Cut Gardens, offers a totally different dimension and modernizes the park in a minor way.

Alternate Solution 2: Alternate Solution 2, a more structurally sound low profile sign, comprised of a sign with two posts running along its edges. The two posts running along the sign’s edges allow for optimum structural soundness with a low profile sign. Alternate Solution 2 provides a more structurally sound design than Alternate Solution 1. However, neither Alternate Solution 1 nor Alternate Solution 2 blend in well with Deep Cut Garden’s pre-existing signage.

            Alternate Solution #2 has a rectangular presentation sign with dimensions of 24” x 18”. This rectangular sign has rounded corners, making the solution safer for visitors’ under the age of 6. The rectangular sign tilts at a 45 degree angle allowing visitors to, with ease, see and read the information the sign presents. The solution’s posts measures 5” in length, 5” in width, and a maximum height of 36”. The top of the posts cut at a 45 degree angle to properly display the rectangular sign. The posts’ dimensions creates a reliable, but inconspicuous support system. The use of two posts, as opposed to one, provides more support that Alternate Solution #1 did not offer.

            Plexiglas serves as a possible material for Alternate Solution #2. Plexiglas, a chemical and heat resistant plastic, will withstand the test of time. Plexiglas brings a new, sleek look to Deep Cut Gardens. Plexiglas provides an affordable option for Alternate Solution #2. The average 24” x 18” sheet of 1” thick Plexiglas costs $117.72. DuraReader serves as another option for Alternate Solution #2. DuraReader, on the more pricy side, gets produced by a company (Envirosigns) and uses 100% recycled materials. The average low profile DuraReader sign costs approximately $534.95. DuraReader offers a 10 year warranty and provides a cushion of insurance that within the 10 years.

                        Alternate Solution #2 may be hand-made or produced by a professional sign company. For making the solution by hand, different joints and screws must keep the Plexiglas fastened. Using a professional signage company ensures the durability and accuracy of the sign. Envirosigns, a highly recommended company, produces eco-friendly, durable signs with a 10 year warranty. However, buying a professional produced sign proves more expensive than making the sign by hand. Also, the stakeholders must approve the desired company.

            As mentioned before, Alternate Solution #2 addresses the durability issue discussed for Alternate Solution #1.For Alternate Solution #2, the Plexiglas material option serves as the main problem.  The Plexiglas does not blend well with the pre-established signage in Deep Cut Gardens. Although Plexiglas does not blend with Deep Cut Gardens, offers a totally different dimension and modernizes the park in a minor way.

Alternate Solution #3: Alternate Solution #3, an upright sign, comprised of two posts surrounding the entire perimeter of the sign. Deep Cut Gardens contains many signs similar to and consistent with Alternate Solution #3. A material option for this solution, a wood material, blends in well with Deep Cut Gardens and the garden’s pre-existing signage. However, Alternate Solution 3 requires a large amount of space and the garden requires 10 signs to effectively cover each topic.

            Alternate Solution #3 stands 70” tall, 30” long, and 5” wide. The rectangular sign used to present the information has dimensions of 20” x 32”. A framing goes around the outside of the sign. The framing has a width of 5”. The two posts in the ground, which connect to the framing, are 30” tall. Alternate Solution #3 stands parallel to the ground and grants visitors a direct view of the information presented.

            MDO Plywood serves as a possible material for Alternate Solution #3. MDO Plywood has a fiber overlay fused into the surface of the Plywood. MDO Plywood resists water, weather, wear, and degradation. DuraReader serves as another option for Alternate Solution #3. DuraReader, on the more pricy side, gets produced by a company (Envirosigns) and uses 100% recycled materials. The average upright DuraReader sign costs approximately $1,122.59. DuraReader offers a 10 year warranty and provides a cushion of insurance that within the 10 years.

                        Alternate Solution #3 may be hand-made or produced by a professional sign company. For making the solution by hand, different joints and screws must keep the MDO Plywood fastened. Using a professional signage company ensures the durability and accuracy of the sign. Envirosigns, a highly recommended company, produces eco-friendly, durable signs with a 10 year warranty. However, buying a professional produced sign proves more expensive than making the sign by hand. Also, the stakeholders must approve the desired company.

            To further explore possible problems, the amount of space Alternate Solution #3 requires makes the convenience of this design questionable. Alternate Solution #3 requires a large amount of space, but presents information on only half of the sign. However, Alternate Solution #3, unlike Alternate Solution #1 & #2, blends into the pre-established signs, both structurally and materially wise. The MDO Plywood option for Alternate Solution #3 blends in well and is consistent with the mood found in Deep Cut Gardens.

Alternate Solution #4: Alternate Solution #4, an upright sign, comprised of four posts connecting the signs. This solution incorporates 3-4 signs into one, elongated, “zig-zagged” sign. Deep Cut Gardens contains many signs similar to Alternate Solution 4. This solution allows for a kiosk and boxes on the side of the sign to hold park pamphlets. The wood material available for this solution, blends in well with Deep Cut Gardens and the garden’s pre-existing signage. Alternate Solution #4 utilizes a minimal amount of space, and provides the maximum amount of information. This solution results in three “zig-zagged” signs within the garden (one sign for plant life topics, one for planting topics, and one for plant health topics).

            Each Alternate Solution #4 panel stands 70” tall, 30” long, and 5” wide. The rectangular sign used to present the information has dimensions of 20” x 32”. A framing goes around the outside of the sign. The framing has a width of 5”. Alternate Solution #4 looks unique because of the zig-zag set-up unseen in other solutions. Each side of all the panels cut at a 45 degree angle, allowing the panels to connect and form 90 degree angles. Three to four panels make up one group of signage.

            MDO Plywood serves as a possible material for Alternate Solution #4. MDO Plywood has a fiber overlay fused into the surface of the Plywood. MDO Plywood resists water, weather, wear, and degradation. DuraReader serves as another option for Alternate Solution #4. DuraReader, on the more pricy side, gets produced by a company (Envirosigns) and uses 100% recycled materials. The average upright DuraReader sign costs approximately $1,122.59. DuraReader offers a 10 year warranty and provides a cushion of insurance that within the 10 years.

                        Alternate Solution #4 may be hand-made or produced by a professional sign company. For making the solution by hand, different joints and screws must keep the MDO Plywood fastened. Using a professional signage company ensures the durability and accuracy of the sign. Envirosigns, a highly recommended company, produces eco-friendly, durable signs with a 10 year warranty. However, buying a professional produced sign proves more expensive than making the sign by hand. Also, the stakeholders must approve the desired company.

            Similar to Alternate Solution #3, Alternate Solution #4 requires a large amount of space, making the convenience of this design questionable. However, although Alternate Solution #4 requires a large amount of space, due to the unique panel set-up, more information fits on the signage. However, Alternate Solution #4, unlike Alternate Solution #1 & #2, blends into the pre-established signs, both structurally and materially wise. The MDO Plywood option for Alternate Solution #4 blends in well and is consistent with the mood found in Deep Cut Gardens.