Hi everyone. Just thought I would take a minute to say hi, and thanks for letting me join the group. I've been secretly lurking around your site for a while now, as i was trying to decide whether or not to start my own sign business. I'm a machinist by trade, currently working in the R&D department of a global manufacturing company. I've been doing machine work for 15+ years now, but the excitement is gone, and i need an outlet for my creativity before i drive my wife and daughter crazy! With a background in auto racing and boating, and my family in real estate, I have lots of contacts hungry for sign work. I'm going to start doing signs on the side and see how it goes. I'm sure I'll learn more from the rest of you than you ever will from me, but if anyone has mechanical questions, I'd love to help.
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[ February 11, 2004, 09:54 PM: Message edited by: Eric Houser ]
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Welcome Eric. Learn everything you can about design first and foremost. The rest will be easy. Best of luck and you've come to the right place.
Posted by Matty McQuilkin (Member # 4156) on :
Good to have you here Eric, You will find that there a lot of very helpful heads here. Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Welcome...the first step is the big one ...keep strollin ...we're here to help all we can Posted by Harry Pinkse (Member # 4122) on :
Welcome to the bullboard. You are among some of the most talented and helpful people in the biz.
Enjoy you stay Harry
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
Welcome aboard! Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Welcome Eric! You struck gold when you found this site. Now in order to mine it buy a copy of Mike Stevens, "Mastering Layout". Don't read it, STUDY it. I am still learning from it. it is priceless.
Posted by dave parr (Member # 3868) on :
Hi Eric,
Welcome aboard. After tossing machinist/sign man back and forth a few times I can see now how you would find this craft/trade interesting. Problem solving & creativity skills are prerequisite for both fields. I can only imagine the ideas you've been mulling over, relating to sign construction.
You mentioned creative outlet. I'm guessing you have some level of graphic arts background or experience that fuels your interest. I'm curious what types of signs most catch your eye and what types of work you find most inspiring. For instance, are you at all interested in bronze castings, or are you intrigued by wood carving, gold leaf window work, hand lettering, vinyl work, higher end printed work, or perhaps the entire field?
Glad to have you here Eric. If you've not done so already, get to a meet as soon as you can.
See you around the Board.
dave parr
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
Welcome! Good luck with the auto racing and real estate clients. In my experience, those two always want everything for nothing! (:
Posted by Bernice Tornquist (Member # 16) on :
Hi Eric...Welcome on board...now, for some real inspiration go to a Letterhead meet.
Will be watching for your posts.
Posted by Steve Racz (Member # 4376) on :
Hi Eric,
What Bernice said (go to a Letterhead meet). I was just at my first one last weekend and as soon as i have the money i'm off to my next one.
I'm also new to the board and have found the people here to be so helpful and accepting. My biggest problem is that i spend too much time here instead of looking for business...
I have been doing signs as a hobby for 13 years and after starting full time in June, spending time looking at the web sites i find through this board i realize how BAD my designs are. However there is help for us semi-talented people in the form of two "must have" books. - Mastering Layout - The Art of Eye Appeal by Mike Stevens - Logo Design for Small Business by Dan Antonelli
Good luck and welcome!
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Welcome to Letterville Eric!
This place rocks! So, hang on, listen and learn. I always suggest taking $50 and becoming a resident. It's cool, because you don't have to, but, thats why we do it.
There are many here with experience more than I am old, so, learn from them and feel free to ask a question. The search feature is real helpful for past posts and instaant answers. Good day!
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Welcome Eric!!!!
All of the advice above, plus get you a subscription to a couple of sign mags...like Sign Craft, Sign Builder Illustrator, Sign Business, etc.
And get yourself to a meet as soon as possible WARNING: You will become addicted!!!
Adrienne Posted by Eric Houser (Member # 4461) on :
Thanks for the welcome everyone! I also appreciate all the helpful advice, I'm gonna need all the help I can get to start this thing rolling. Yes I do have a some graphics experience, but more as it relates to machine design than signs. I also took a year of landscape architecture at Virginia Tech, and have messed around with drawing for years. I'm going to concentrate on vinyl to start with, since it mixes so well with my racing and boating interests (I don't race anymore, but still stay close to the sport). We'll talk more later, thanks again.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Hi Eric, welcome aboard. Don't let all the hoopla get to you. This place can get crazy!!
Good luck!
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Welcome Home Signs are similar to what you ALREADY know! Starting with a concept to achive an end goal. Creating individual pieces. Putting them together in order BUILT a completed object that functions for one reason or another.
The FUNCTIONS vary..identification,advertising or information. The OBJECT varies also...as to substrates. The individual PIECES are your design. The CONCEPT is your first step of sketches.
The ONLY differances,is that at present you are making something that is MECHANICAL. Where as signs are VISUAL.
Good Luck.
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Welcome!! Like Rick said, spend the 50 bucks and become a resident, lots of cool perks too!
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Harry
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WARNING: You will become addicted!!! ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)