FEATURES J U LY 2017 | VOLU M E 239 | N U M B ER 7 36 A MONUMENTAL INFLUENCE BY JOE HOLT Unique and cheaper materials support signage landmarks. 42 THE 2017 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT BY MARK KISSLING Companies expect sales and profit margins to continue growing. 36 50 BUILDING SAFER SIGNS BY DAREK JOHNSON How to engineer structures that counter natural forces, costly failures and deadly accidents. 56 STRICTLY COMMERCIAL: SIGN MAGIC BY DOUGLAS HANCOCK Electromagnets levitate a sign honoring an electrical magician. 50 2 SIGNS OF THE TIMES JULY 2017 56