Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — If you've been in a Harmons store recently, you might have noticed something unique about its signage.
Instead of mass-produced signs, many of them are unique works of art, all designed to get a customer's attention.
They're everywhere inside Harmons Emigration Market. You'll find them in the dairy section, illustrating organic or free-range options. You can easily spot them in the snacks aisle, touting the wide variety of popcorn flavors. And they hover above the seafood, boasting fresh Hawaiian fish flown in twice a week.
Who is behind these works of art?
Seated in the corner of a back storeroom, Taylor Hellewell creates signage that will highlight a sale or make a product a little more spectacular at Harmons.
"I don't know if there is any other store that has individual artists for each story, so each store has its own personality," he said.
Hellewell said he brings a cinematic-style personality to the Emigration Market store. In every sign, he aims to create a visual treat to dazzle shoppers.
"Some customers I hear just come in to see the signs. So, if anything, that brings them into the store. Hopefully they'll get something before they go out," he said.
James Bennion is responsible for the signage at Harmons Bangerter Crossing store.
He says he draws on real life for his displays. From hand-drawn models for its health and beauty aisles, to the grizzly with the catch of the day at the fish counter, to kids enjoying summer.
"I try to be more realistic, almost Norman Rockwell, in a way," he explained.
Like Hellewell, Bennion's full-time job is to create unique, vibrant displays setting Harmons apart from its competitors.
"The signs absolutely help," Bennion said. "It describes the product in a better way."
Both artists say they're wowed by how everyday signage is becoming art again.
"Where before it was purely graphic design, something you do on the computer, now there's a lot of sign artists coming into being. And I think that's really exciting," Hellewell said.
Harmons started with one artist at the Bangerter Crossing store a few years ago. It now has artists at eight stores.
