Artist's Concept Sign Fits Publix's Understated `Image'
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003
By Mary Toothman
The Ledger

LAKELAND -- So what would it look like if Publix did have a sign on the facade of its headquarters?

The Ledger asked Lisa Kaiser Hickey, president of Douglass Screen Printers of Lakeland, to explore the possibilities. Hickey agreed to design a sign (above) that would be visible from the Polk Parkway day and night, and the image was imposed on photographs taken by a Ledger photographer.

Hickey has a background in architectural sign design, though her company primarily designs such ads as "wraps" for buses.

She agreed to work up a concept for the Publix building. The result is an elegant, one-story "P" and the words "where shopping is a pleasure" lined across the top of the firstfloor.

Hickey's design was given form by graphic artist Ray Avery.

The simple, clean lines fit the Publix image, Hickey said.

"It's very understated because Publix -- they really are very, very consistent with their message and their look. They would never do anything to call attention to themselves in a garish way."

Hickey said the "P" could be aluminum or stainless steel, and backlit so it would glow. The "where shopping is a pleasure" letters could be plastic, lighted and banded in steelor aluminum. "That part was really an afterthought. I liked it, because if there was any doubt in somebody's mind what the "P" stands for, that would finish it off."

The lettering could be mounted to provide depth, she said.

"It's a very no-nonsense, modern building," she said. "I thought it should be very simple. That "P" is recognized all over the Southeast."