This is a question I struggle with, particularly in recent years usually when filling forms of some kind. Ten years ago a simple signwriter would suffice but with the advent of the large format and cnc, the job title is not so easy to come by. Sign designer is best I've found so far, but falls short of what we do and signwriter seems way off the mark now
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Imagine the trouble I have describing what we do!
-grampa dan
Posted by Jon Peterman (Member # 528) on :
I like signcrafter and signmaker
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
I pitch being 'Advertising Design'. When a client asks, I generally already know what business he or she is in and can respond more directly or succinctly to his or her needs. When I meet a non-client, I generally just say I am an artist and if they ask, I direct them to my site.
Most of my work volume comes from referrals and cold calls that I instigate, so there is less of a retail image I am trying to portray. If I relied on a storefront and walk-ins, it would be much more vital to be more definitive about who I am trying to be....I say 'most of my volume' of work, but it is not always most of my sales gross, as my serious art and major design projects from repeat clients are much greater grossers.
Kevin, if I had an address to a website of your work, it would be much easier for me to help identify who or what you are trying to appear as. Artistik Signs tells me you must make mostly signs for retail merchants? I have enjoyed your insights before here, and would like to see more of your work?
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Preston, here is my website www.artistiksigns.ie. Dan, you crossed my mind as I was writing original post. What do you put on a form as occupation Dan out of curiosity?
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
"Grandpa", I think! Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
I usually use "Signcrafter" also. It's a little bit 'upscale' and usually leads to them asking more questions, so I can tell them more.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Sign Artist. I would like to put "Image Maker" but that always brings up ten more questions.
For Dan..."Exobox Creator"
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
"Sign Maker Extraordinaire" works for me...but if you call me the "sign guy" that'll work too.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Visual communication designer
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
my business is growing
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
sign biotch!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
"I maka the sign" "I paint the little lines on the autos"
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Let's see, I had a commercial shop, did sign painting, specialized in race cars/motorsports graphics, pinstriping, murals. Every time I've tried to focus on one thing and gear the name towards that the market shifted. We now go by Perkins Artworks, whatever we do fits under that umbrella.
Posted by Gonzalo (Peewee)Curiel (Member # 3837) on :
Successful
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
You need it, we can do it...you want to talk about anything, I can talk and confide in just about anything, all professionally and in good taste.
It is what I do, my friends understand me, I understand them and I treat my customers the same; the more I know them, the more I understand their needs and they know my capabilities.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Making Money.. For You!
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
all I do is billboards...cause when I tell people I own a sign company thats what they ask. "Oh you do those billboards"
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
Doug has the classiest description: visual Communication Designer which reminds me of the title of Sanitation Engineer (Garbage truck driver). I got a chuckle out of Karyn's description.
Sign Craftsman sounds good too. I usually just say signmaker and be done with it.
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
that's like who you're talking to, depends on what you think they want to hear... to some folks I'm nanna, but some I am the signpainter, some graphic designer, some sign consultant, cartoonist, boat letterer, mural artist, yada yada, got to know your client!!
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
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