Signs of Construction: The Graphics Department at the Kraus-Anderson Yard

By Brenden Nickels, Senior Office Assistant

From constructing skyscrapers to some of our (at this time) lesser-known capabilities, such as graphics and signage creation, Kraus-Anderson assists our clients and partners in various ways.  

Justin Whitman, KA’s Graphics Production Specialist, works at the KA Yard located in Circle Pines. With 20+ years of experience, Justin spends busy days creating murals, job site signage, and more. 

With the ability to design, print, and install, the Yard Graphics Department is a one-stop shop for our clients’ signage needs. 

I chatted with Justin to learn more about his operations and creative process in the Q+A below.  

Tell us a bit about your background and how you landed this creative role for Kraus-Anderson. 

WHITMAN: I earned a degree in Graphic Design in 2005 and have worked in the field since that time. My professional experience is largely within the print industry, and I’ve worked on some national publications, brand identity development, and wide-format advertising campaigns. A funny story about how I landed the position, though: I was working from home in 2021 (in Cannon Falls), and Kraus-Anderson started working on the remodel of my apartment complex. While some Kraus-Anderson employees were coming into my apartment to manage the window installation, I began asking them about the company and received some strong recommendations to check out the organization. When I went to the KA website, I discovered a wide-format position like my recent role. What’s more, one of the very first signage projects that I took on was recreating my apartment’s monument signage— right outside my window!

What do the KA Yard Graphics operations look like? Paint a picture for us. 

WHITMAN: I wear many hats! Typically, when you walk into a graphics company, you’ll find a front-office team in charge of Sales, Management, and Accounting. When you walk around the shop, you’ll find a Creative Department with Graphic Designers and Pre-Press Techs.  This is where the work is designed and set up for the different print systems. Then, moving through the shop, you’ll find a production department that manages the production process of the jobs, printers, and materials. Production keeps the technology running and maintained. Closely linked with the Production Department are the installers. Some installers mount brackets and ridged sign substrates, while others are vinyl application specialists with a range of experience from smaller spot graphics to full vehicle wraps and giant wall murals. In the case of Yard’s Graphics Department, I fulfill all these roles.

How does the work come to you? Do clients reach out directly for signage? Do PMs request signage in response to client needs?

WHITMAN: All of the above are correct. Job requests come across my desk in mixed variety. Sometimes, it’s a Superintendent or Project Manager who brings business my way. Other times, our clients will reach out directly to me for wide-format requests. A few clients have followed me from previous companies, and I’ve been able to continue serving them through the Circle Pines Yard Graphics Department.  

Describe your creative process. Where do you come up with ideas for the murals, signage, etc.? 

WHITMAN: Generally, these creative ideas are incubated through conversations with customers, allowing them to point me in their desired direction. With a general sense of what the customer wants to achieve, I’ll invest time in industry research to find out what’s working successfully. Then, I’ll start on some design concepts until the customer is thrilled with what we’re presenting!  

What is one example of a recent project that you’re proud of? 

WHITMAN: I completed a series of murals for the Hayward School System, which featured my design work at a very large scale at their Primary, Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools. I’m especially thrilled about the K12 mural work because of the excitement and inspiration that the imagery can bring to the kids and school staff throughout their learning days and extracurricular activities. 

What are some of the exciting projects you are working on currently?  

WHITMAN: Examples of graphic work going on right now at the Yard include job site trailer graphics, “Coming Soon” signs for a couple of new locations, and murals for Waconia City Hall. I’ve also been working on some dimensional signs/wall graphics for Kraus-Anderson’s Bismarck office and the company’s new office in Milwaukee. In addition, some of Kraus-Anderson’s clients, such as Spring Lake Park and Mounds View school districts, have continued to use the graphics department for graphics jobs after their main project was complete. I’ve also been busy helping the KA marketing team over the last few weeks with several referendums and bonding bill signage campaigns. 

How do you adapt your work to meet the needs of different audience types, such as the blind or visually impaired and/or those whose first language is not English?  

WHITMAN: We are always asking ourselves this question, and the answer isn’t always easy. However, we do look at ways to create inclusion in our work.  We also have outside resources available to produce Braille and ADA signs. I’m only fluent in English, but I am looking for tools or translators to help ensure the communications are correct for graphics outside of the English language. I welcome ideas that help us take steps toward making more inclusive work and generating deliverables that meet the needs of our clients and their various communities! 

What is one thing that may surprise people to learn about your job? 

WHITMAN: Having the small department that I do, one or two large projects can easily bog me down for a week or two. During the busy months (April through October), please plan for at least a one-week turnaround time for signage projects. Sometimes, it can be as much as three weeks out. Another point that seems to be a surprise is that vinyl wall graphics should wait at least two weeks after a wall is painted before installation. Wall graphics applied to a freshly painted wall within three weeks risk failure due to outgassing from the paint.  

Is there anything else you think would be nice to share about your department? 

WHITMAN: There’s a lot of information to relay about our services and capabilities. I’ve been working to promote our services internally but have a lot yet to do. I’m excited to grow the department and continue to try innovative ways to spread clients’ messaging. 

Whitman’s graphic design and creative capabilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Murals 

• Banners 

• Monument signs 

• Ribbon cuttings 

• Floor plans 

• Parking signs 

• Floor graphics 

• Vehicle graphics 

• Window graphics 

• Yard signs 

• Site signs, including way-finding signs 

• And MORE!