Rady Children’s Hospital

Project Overview

During construction of the Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego expansion, the cranes above the site were given names inspired by the imagination of a young patient.

It began with a drawing by a five year old patient of Francine the Flamingo. The artwork sparked the idea to bring personality to the cranes rising above the project.

Soon Francine was joined by Danny the Deer and Gerry the Giraffe, turning the construction site into something far more meaningful as the hospital continues to grow to serve children and families across the region.

V Group had the privilege of supporting the project by producing the large format banners that feature these characters on the construction cranes and fencing surrounding the site.

The Challenge

The project team wanted to take a child’s drawing and scale it into large format graphics that could be seen from hundreds of feet away.

The banners needed to deliver:

• Strong visual impact at extreme height
• Vibrant color reproduction for the illustrated characters
• Durable materials capable of withstanding outdoor construction conditions
• Clean production and finishing for large scale installation

These graphics would become highly visible elements of the construction site, making quality and durability critical.

1. Large Format Print Production

V Group produced the banners using high resolution large format printing to ensure the artwork maintained its clarity and vibrancy even when viewed from long distances.

Our production team carefully prepared the files to preserve the original artwork while scaling it to the required banner sizes.

2. Materials Built for Outdoor Performance

The banners were produced using materials designed for outdoor exposure, allowing the graphics to maintain their color and integrity throughout the construction period.

This ensured the characters would remain bold and visible while installed high above the project site.

3. Precision Finishing for Large Installations

Large banners require precise finishing to ensure they can be installed cleanly and safely on cranes and construction fencing.

Our team completed the trimming and finishing to support secure installation while maintaining the visual impact of the artwork.

The Results

• Large scale character banners visible across the construction site
• A creative transformation of cranes into playful characters overlooking the project
• A meaningful visual connection to the children the hospital serves
• High quality banner production built to withstand outdoor conditions

Seeing a child’s artwork scaled hundreds of feet into the air above a hospital being built for kids is a powerful reminder of who the project is really for.

Why It Matters

Sometimes signage does more than identify a location. It tells a story.

In this case, a young patient’s imagination became part of the construction process itself. The banners now overlooking the Rady Children’s Hospital expansion celebrate the community the hospital serves and the children at the center of its mission.

V Group was proud to support the project by producing the banners that helped bring this story to life.