Not every signage job is destined for the front of a shop or the side of a building. Sometimes the brief is much simpler — and much funnier.

This project was commissioned as a Christmas gift. The client wanted to surprise a friend with a custom sign for their property, leaning into a bit of playful humour with the name “Villa Garrapata” — loosely translating to “Tick Villa.” The idea was to create something that looked convincing enough to pass as a proper house plaque, while still clearly carrying the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the gift.

The design itself leans into a traditional engraved plaque style. A warm woodgrain background was used to give the illusion of carved timber, while the lettering and decorative elements were treated to appear recessed into the surface. Small tick silhouettes were placed in the corners to reinforce the joke without overwhelming the design, keeping the overall look balanced and believable.

To help the client visualise the result, a clean digital mock-up was produced first, alongside a softened preview version showing how the plaque would read at a distance. Once approved, the design was printed onto aluminium composite board, a durable signage material commonly used for exterior applications thanks to its rigidity and weather resistance.

Despite being a novelty gift, the aim was still to treat the piece like a proper signage project — clear typography, balanced composition, and materials that would hold up over time.

From concept to print and delivery, the whole job was completed in the week leading up to Christmas, ensuring it arrived in time to be unwrapped and (hopefully) hung somewhere proudly inappropriate.