August 2021 - IDS Kids

For dental offices big or small, using each square foot of your space to its full potential is a top priority to ensure the comfort of your patients (we all want to avoid dental crowding afterall). Knowing just how important efficient use of space is, it can sometimes make bold theming feel difficult due to floor space restraints, low ceilings, or even just logistics of people coming and going – but we have good news! You can have an efficient practice AND have a fun theme by utilizing functional decor to transform your space!

What do we mean by functional decor?

Any piece of decor in your office with a purpose beyond just being a nice decoration is considered functional decor. Functional decor can be a sculpture that doubles as seating, adorable characters that hold wayfinding signage, or a playful reception desk that is a great social media photo op.

Here are 5 functional decor ideas to get you inspired to re-imagine the potential of your office

1. Brushing Mirrors

Brushing mirrors are already a necessary addition in any dental practice (especially pediatric dentists), so why not maximize their impact by sculpting them into wall art? Adorable characters like smiling fish or grinning tigers both contribute to a playful jungle theme while doubling as brushing mirrors to coach kids on their tooth cleaning technique.

2. Themed Seating

Reception area seating is the #1 most bulky and space-consuming item in any office. Seeing as seating is, of course, non-negotiable, why not use it to your advantage by making it the centerpiece of your office theme?

Wrap incredible centerpiece sculpture in round plush seating…

Add a grinning photo op to a long bench seating…

Or even transform your seating into themed props, like these cute mushrooms fitting in perfectly with this woodland office…

You can even add book and toy storage in to your themed benches…

Themed seating is uniquely suited to immerse guests into your decor, making your environment even more impactful. The space would already be taken up by chairs or other seating, so why not transform it?

Love this idea? Us too! Check out some more examples of fun waiting room seating!

3. Wayfinding Signage

Plain signs that aid in direction can often make a practice feel cold and clinical. By having the signage held up by a whimsical character or featuring a cartoon drawing, not only are you creating a playfulness that lightens the mood in a kid-centric practice, but it can also tie your necessary and useful signage into your theme.

Hanging signs for the ceiling is a great space-saving option. You are really theming every square inch of your space when you take advantage of your ceiling tiles to direct traffic.

Wayfinding is more than just a sign or arrow – it can consist of colors and themes to separate areas. Decorating each treatment room with a different theme is a great way to create an information system that guides people through your physical environment. It enhances visitor’s understanding and experience of your space.

4. Storytelling Reception Desk

The reception desk is the first thing your patients see when they walk through the door, so make it work for you. Make it say hello and welcome guests in with signs, a smiling character, or a themed scene telling a story. Kids will know they are about to go on an adventure when a waving elephant or friendly otter is waiting to greet them.

5. Self Check-In Stations

A bit of modern technology can stick out like a sore thumb in a themed office but when it’s built right into a sculpture, bulky screens can be transformed into FUNctional hardware. We love the way these tiki-inspired sculptures blend seamlessly into this jungle theme while still allowing easy self-check-in.

Your office space truly holds endless potential when you begin to factor in the addition of functional decor. Whether your office is big or small, we can theme it all!

Want to learn how? Reach out to us and one of our Creative Consultants will be happy to help you decide the best way to bring some whimsy and fun to your practice.

[1] Big Picture Graphics

This guide will review our top tips to maximize your vehicle wrapping so you can take your practice on the road in style!

Studies from 2016 reported that approximately 15.9 million Canadians[1] and 128 million people in the United States[2] commuted daily to work in a personally owned vehicle. According to the AAA, it is estimated that one car advertisement can reach up to 70,000 impressions a day[3]. Wow! With those kinds of numbers and a sizable portion of those commuters spending an hour or more in their car, marketing on the road might just be your best chance at reaching a large audience without spending exorbitant amounts of money on marketing.

But how do you best catch the eye of the average driver? What info do you want to get across to a potential patient in that brief moment? How do you communicate that info effectively when you only have a captive audience for mere seconds?

Be Clear and Concise with The Contact Info Displayed on Your Vehicle

Choosing what info you want to get across in that short time is pivotal. Make sure your logo, phone number, and URL are visible to drivers on all sides so no matter where in traffic you are drivers know where to reach you.

Make Your Vehicle Stand Out from the Crowd (and Traffic)

While there’s nothing wrong with a simple sticker printed of your logo and stuck on your rear-view window, there’s a high chance you may drive past a potential patient before they have time to notice it. Simple stickers are as forgettable as they are understated.

To really maximize the potential effectiveness of vehicle wrapping, you need to think bold! Bright colors from sunroof to wheel well, roof-mounted sculptures, and both URL and phone contact methods all contribute to a far more memorable traveling billboard experience. With such a small window of impact, you gotta go all the way!

Tell a Story with Your Vehicle Wrap Design

You may only have a few seconds in the eyes of a fellow driver unless you’re stuck in a traffic jam, so you want to get noticed and be memorable.

Utilize bold colors and whimsical characters that set a scene. Include a silly joke to really stand out, like this poor octopus and his frightened crab friend, trying to drive with a broken steering wheel.

Match Your Vehicle Graphics and 3D to Your Office Theme

We might be biased, but when you incorporate your practice theme into your wrapped vehicle, it’s a home run – especially if you have external decor already!

If your community is already driving by the curious safari-themed building everyday, when they see a smaller version cruising down the highway, they know exactly where you’re going. It might even remind them that oh yeah, they’ve been wanting to book an appointment for a while!

Take advantage of what you already have and continue to encourage brand awareness by theming your vehicles with just a taste of what they’ll see if they visit in person.

Take Your Wrapped Vehicle to Trade Shows and School Events

Use your vehicle to grab attention at events. Community fairs and markets are a great place to set up a booth and offer advice for parents or brushing demonstrations for kids. Your vehicle can be used as an eye-catching sign or as a fun photo op for families to draw them to your booth.

Drive Your Themed Vehicle in Local Parades

A colorful and fun vehicle is an instant parade float.

Blast some tunes on your radio, find some volunteers to wave enthusiastically from the windows, and have branded toothbrushes or goodie bags to hand out to the crowds as you pass by.

Finally, Don’t be Afraid to Just Park

If you have a quick commute to and from the office or put your gorgeously wrapped vehicle in a covered garage, you may not be utilizing your traveling billboard to its full potential!

We highly recommend choosing a populous community or main city road to park your vehicle during the day. Think of it like a bus bench or lawn sign – but you don’t have to pay for the space!

If your city releases census data, try and find communities with your target demographic to park your car. Not only is it a constant reminder of your practice, but it also reminds them that you’re local and trustworthy.

Bonus items to add include brochure holders which are cheap, easy, and can hang out your windows with info for curious passersby to take.

Pro tip: Run social media contests around your vehicle. Park your traveling billboard, take a photo, and ask people to guess where you are for a chance to win a prize and drum up more social media engagement, likes, and shares!

Want to see more examples of IDS designed car wraps? Check them out here!

If you’re ready to get your vehicle decked out for your practice, reach out to one of our Creative Consultants today! Let’s get this show on the road.

[1] StatCan

[2] Statista

[3] Signs.com The Benefits of Car Advertising

Month: August 2021

Top 5 Functional Pediatric Dental Office Decor Ideas

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