DesignElement
DesignElement is a full-service custom signage firm in Raleigh, NC offering design, fabrication, and installation of commercial signs, ADA-compliant signage, wayfinding systems, and branded environments for small businesses and large enterprises across the Triangle region and beyond via Signarama partnership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DesignElement does
DesignElement (legal name Design Element, Inc.) is a full-service custom signage and environmental graphic design firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, with additional offices in Durham and a production facility in Raleigh. The company designs, fabricates, and installs commercial signage, including ADA-compliant tactile signs, directional wayfinding systems, dimensional and channel letter signs, illuminated signs, monument entry signs, and branded interior/exterior environments. Its design methodology integrates cognitive psychology, environmental graphic design, architecture, and interior design principles, particularly for wayfinding systems. The firm operates with 11-50 employees under a sales-led, face-to-face consultative model, offering free consultations and quote-based project pricing on a one-time basis.
The company serves a bifurcated customer base within a horizontal segmentation strategy: small businesses needing simple logo and storefront signage, and large global enterprises requiring comprehensive multi-location branded sign packages. Additional customer segments include architects, developers, and general contractors, for whom DesignElement provides collaborative pre-construction sign planning, budgeting, and installation coordination. A strategic partnership with Signarama, described as the world's largest sign company, enables DesignElement to execute projects throughout the United States and internationally while maintaining local Triangle/RTP-area execution. The firm is privately held, bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding, and currently exploring licensing and training opportunities to expand its planning and environmental branding services nationally.
DesignElement firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DesignElement
- Legal name
- Design Element, Inc.
- Website
- https://designelement-us.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DesignElement is a full-service custom signage firm in Raleigh, NC offering design, fabrication, and installation of commercial signs, ADA-compliant signage, wayfinding systems, and branded environments for small businesses and large enterprises across the Triangle region and beyond via Signarama partnership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DesignElement industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Signage Services
- NAICS
- Sign Manufacturing (33995), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental & Experiential Brand Design (Retail/Exhibit/Signage) (MPAAAEAG)
Keywords
Where DesignElement is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
DesignElement business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Sign Design and Fabrication: DesignElement generates revenue through the design, fabrication, and installation of custom signage for businesses. This includes one-time project fees for sign packages, with services ranging from simple logo design for small businesses to comprehensive branded interior and exterior sign packages for large enterprises.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Project-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
DesignElement product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DesignElement is a full-service custom sign company that designs, fabricates, and installs commercial signage for businesses. Its offerings span from simple logo and sign design for small businesses to comprehensive branded interior and exterior sign packages for large, global companies, with turnkey project management from concept through installation, including ADA-compliant and wayfinding solutions.
Product overview
DesignElement is a full-service custom sign company providing sign design, fabrication, and installation services for businesses in Raleigh, NC and the Triangle area. Their product portfolio includes Sign Planning & Design, ADA Compliant Tactile Signs, Directional Wayfinding Signs, Branded Environment Design, Entry Statement Monument Signs, Dimensional & Channel Letter Signs, Illuminated Signs, and Turnkey Installation services. The company operates as a single unified offering with services spanning from initial concept planning through final installation, supporting both small businesses and large global companies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sign Planning & Design
Companies that use DesignElement
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DesignElement technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
DesignElement partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SignaramacoreDesignElement has a strategic partnership with Signarama, the world's largest sign company. This partnership provides DesignElement with the advantage of local reach while having the capability to execute projects in many markets throughout the United States and around the world. Signarama's global network enables DesignElement to offer national coverage to their clients.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights2 records
DesignElement competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FASTSIGNS: Largest franchised custom sign and visual graphics network in North America, offering design, fabrication, and installation of signs, graphics, and wayfinding — directly comparable offering set to DesignElement's full-service sign studio model.
- Allen Industries: National signage and environmental graphics company serving enterprise clients with branded interior and exterior sign programs — directly comparable to DesignElement's large-enterprise 'full branded interior and exterior sign packages' offering.
- Image360: Franchised visual communications provider delivering custom signs, graphics, and environmental branding for businesses — overlapping customer base and similar turnkey design/build/install approach to DesignElement.
- Icon Identity Solutions: National environmental branding and signage company producing branded interior graphics, dimensional letters, and wayfinding systems for corporate clients — closely comparable to DesignElement's branded environment design offering.
- Poblocki Sign Company: Large U.S. signage and architectural graphics manufacturer serving corporate, retail, healthcare, and institutional clients with custom sign programs — directly comparable turnkey signage services targeting similar enterprise accounts.
- Stratus Signs: Custom sign fabrication and national installation company serving multi-site enterprise brands with wayfinding and branded environments — directly comparable to DesignElement's turnkey enterprise sign program delivery.
- ASI (Architectural Signs Inc.): Architectural signage manufacturer specializing in ADA-compliant, wayfinding, and interior branded environments — directly comparable to DesignElement's ADA tactile, wayfinding, and branded environment product lines.
Others
- Signarama: Designated as the world's largest sign franchise; both a strategic execution partner and adjacent competitor. Highly comparable service catalog (custom signs, vehicle wraps, banners) makes it the natural reference point for DesignElement's national-reach claim.
Regional players
- L&H Companies: Southeast U.S.-based signage, lighting, and brand-activation company offering custom sign design, fabrication, and installation — comparable service mix with overlapping regional footprint to DesignElement's Triangle/RTP base.
Broad incumbents
- YESCO (Young Electric Sign Company): Long-established large-scale sign manufacturer and installer with national service capabilities across commercial, illuminated, and architectural signage — a much larger incumbent competing for the same enterprise and architectural sign programs as DesignElement.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
DesignElement social profiles
Digital presenceDesignElement financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DesignElement leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DesignElement funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DesignElement M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DesignElement
What does DesignElement do?
DesignElement is a full-service custom sign company that designs, fabricates, and installs commercial signage for businesses. Its offerings span from simple logo and sign design for small businesses to comprehensive branded interior and exterior sign packages for large, global companies, with turnkey project management from concept through installation, including ADA-compliant and wayfinding solutions.
Is DesignElement a public or private company?
DesignElement is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was DesignElement founded?
DesignElement was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DesignElement based?
DesignElement is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does DesignElement make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Sign Design and Fabrication.
Who are DesignElement's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FASTSIGNS, Allen Industries, Image360, Icon Identity Solutions, Poblocki Sign Company, Stratus Signs and ASI (Architectural Signs Inc.). Signarama is listed as an others. L&H Companies is listed as a regional player. YESCO (Young Electric Sign Company) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does DesignElement have an API?
No public API is recorded for DesignElement.
What industry is DesignElement in?
DesignElement's product category is Commercial Signage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAEAG, Environmental & Experiential Brand Design (Retail/Exhibit/Signage). Its NAICS code is 33995.