A Great choice, Mark,
Proves a point.....That a really Great Sign.......Does'nt have to say ANYTHING
Shep'
without any lettering at all.
To me a "SIGN" is something creative we put together for our clients to draw attention to their product or business.
This "SIGN" has done that with bells on. The client wanted to draw attention to his poinsettia display. It has worked well. My daughter Rebecca works there for the winter and she witnesses many, many people coming into the store every day. They are returning with family and friends to show them this "SIGN". And my daughter who runs the cash register (beside the castle) rings up their purchases each time.
The "SIGN" has been featured in both local newspapers (one full page) and also on the local television station. We hope to do bit on the Vicky Gabero Show (CTV Network across Canada) in the next week or so. And the calls are still coming.
The owners of the store are excited to say the least. In their experience, they haven't had this kind of success with their normal signs (in over 25 years of business).
We are in the process of thinking up our next "SIGN" for this client who is sold on this creative thinking that's out of the box.
This "sign project" has raised our own profile in the community as well. Now, we are known to work creatively in concrete, steel and sugar. Folks wonder what's next.
And we've only just begun.
Thanks for the award!
-dan
Congrats on the Castle..it is beautiful
Dan, I've really enjoyed this endeavour of yours, and would like to see some photo's of it in context, where it can be read. I understand your definition of drawing attention, but I think by definition it needs to convey some more specific message from the store to the passer by. Does this make any sense, or are my medications sticking out?
[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
I fully understand what you are saying. An ICON that says what you are trying to convey without words is perhaps the very best type of sign.
We have done many such "signs" over the years. We have done a cartoon submarine for a submarine ride attraction. And the last sign of the month award was the dragon which tied into the castle storefront well. (They sold miniature dragon sculptures)
At Giggle Ridge our Bear mascot is worked into our sign. And we did far out a bumpercar sculpture for that type of attraction.
In this case I believe the same appies. The glistening sugar cube castle with the poinsettias around says "CHRISTMAS" loud and clear. Especially in the middle of a large Christmas section of the store. More importantly... it works and does it well.
But I hear what you are saying... it all must be in context.
Lately I saw a huge ELvis blowup balloon thing on the roof of a car dealership I shook my head and said HUH????????
But then again.... it made me look.
-dan
is it a sign?
if so what does this "sign" sell?
if i were walking down the mall and i saw dan's castle i would be astounded!
i am almost sure there is "secondary signage" explaining how this incredible work of art was produced with sugar cubes!"
you can bet that i would tell everyone i know about this wonderful sculpture in the mall.
along with other forms of advertising such as newspaper and tv coverage you can imagine the people that would be drawn to this work of art.
every merchant in this mall will benefit from the media attention as well as word of mouth.
then the icing on the cake is this so called "sign of the month" will also raise money for charity.
(i can't ever remember one of my signs raising money for such a great cause!")
thanks rick for asking the questions.
thought provoking.
"exactly what is a sign?"
thanks to dan for making us "think out of the box".
Years back I remember reading in Signs of the Times of a mural issue getting to some state supreme court. If the mural depicted anything to do with a product or service being sold there then it was a sign. A local resort has some large welded metal sculptures in a field. It was rather controversial when the county took them to task as a sign violation because there was an art gallery as part of the resort.
I find the definition of sign deternined by its use and placement rather interesting.
Mark, I'm not questioning your judgement, I'm playing with a concept.
The next question is Is Dan a sign guy???
I always have a tough time when someone asks me what I do for a living. It isn't a simple answer.
But in my mind I am a sign guy. I consider what I do as signs for the most part. I consider the storefront and displays inside as part of the 'sign effect' - just as important as the sign that hangs out on the front of the building.
Do sign people PAINT signs? Do they design signs? Do they design and build displays? Is a person who does only vinyl a sign person? How about someone who doesn't want any part of modern technology? How about someone who guilds bar mirrors?? If the mirror doesn't have words on it... is it still a sign???
I don't have a listing in the Yellow pages in the Sign section as I don't want to get calls from folks who want a typical "sign". I get my business by referrals. On my web site I come right out and say... 'If you want an ordinary sign - don't call me'
And the government officials who govern signs have real trouble defining my work too. It's even been said that I enjoy this. Hmmmmm.
The 'art' folks say that my work is too commercial and that I've 'sold out'.
I'm in no man's land.
Please let me continue to be a 'sign person'. This is where my friends are. How about if I promise to be 'more normal' ??
On second thought, it's way too late for that. I'm havin way too much fun too!
How about... can I be a sign guy if I paint one perfectly normal flat sign every month.
-dan
[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Interesting that you asked that question.....I wondered that too, about you.
After observing what you and so many others can do here, it matters not.
I just say, I like it all......I like signs, graphics, art, sculpture,.....love Architecture, sometimes just simple forms......do it for me..........I don't need to pigeon hole everything for them to make sense, and I see you
don't either.
The real question is not whether Dan is a Sign guy, but rather......Is Dan a Sign?
"AND DAN.......YOU DA MAN....."
AND MARK YOU ARE SOMEWHAT A "VISIONARY" YOURSELF.......GOOD CHOICE.....(YES I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.)
..Shep'
As far as I am concerned...with that much talent and ability...he is whatever he wants to be!
Just my very humble opinion.
It being constructed from sugar cubes, is this considered a temporary sign/sculpture? What would be the ordinace concerning "temporary" signs?
And what is to become of this? Will the castle simply dissolve over time? What are the plans for this creation?
Your creations are absolutely astounding, and you've performed this task in record time. What's the scoop on the Guiness Book situation?
[ December 14, 2001: Message edited by: RonniesTintSigns ]
The castle is just plain old HUGE from a ways away. It isn't in a mall but in a stand alone garden center. Its interesting to watch people when they see it... as it slowly sinks in as to what it is made of and how it was built. It just blows them away.
The messages it sends are really clear. It is about the magic of Christmas. It is about imagination, about wonder. It's about not growing up, it's about playing with your food. Its about something ordinary becoming something wonderful.
I was in town today, something I don't do very often. I amde a bunch of stops and I wore my Giggle Ridge jacket and hat as always. And EVERYWHERE I went, people commented on the castle. Each of them was enchanted by the castle. Inspired by our creation, a few had done little ones at home with their kids. I was amazed at how many people told me they had made multiple trips to see it, bringing back new people each time.
I don't know MANY of the people I spoke with today. Because of the articles in the local paper and the segment being aired on local TV and the little signs posted by the castle, they KNEW who I was. I got to meet and talk with many nice folks today.
Brian, who owns the garden center tells me of lots of similar events in his travels.
The castle ( the'SIGN') is doing EXACTLY what I thought it would, only 10 TIMES BETTER than I hoped or imagined.
In my mind that is what an effective sign or display is all about. I don't really care what pops into people's mind when they see it... as long as they remember where they saw it and it creates a little magic in their lives. If it is effective enough to bring folks back to the store (and generate sales for the client) then my work has done its job well.
The castle is but one example of this type of 'signwork' we do. Giggle Ridge has many facets of this type of 'signs' and Giggle Ridge II will pull out all the stops. You ain't seen nothin yet.
And for me the whole business is WAY MORE FUN than working.
And it makes my tiny little corner of this HUGE world just a little happier.
I truely believe the world needs a whole bunch more of this!
-dan
How could anyone possibly compete in this contest with entries such as award winning castles and items like that?
Cannot be done without classifications. Like auto racing....different classes and different events. If I've gotta think that I'm going up againt you Dan every time it gets to be more defeatist that optomistic. I mean, you inspire everyone with your incredible talents but the pocketbook and time investment are key factors here too.
Most folks here are not being hired to perform feats of inspirational magnitude as you. I vote for a cross-classification on several grounds.
Take a look at Mark's section for past winners to SOTM. There you will find a broad range of great looking signs of every description. And all of it is awesome work. I see paint, vinyl, great design, carved, airbrush, and a broad spectrum of other stuff. The beauty of his contest, is you never know what you will see when you click.
I also beg to differ with you in your comments regarding competing with me. What I do is in the realm of most peoples abilities. You just have to think out of the box. Way out.
Most shops get requests for unusual stuff from what I've heard. The requests may start out small. It mostly depends on what you want to do for a living. I don't want to do ordinary. It's a fun and challenging way to make a living. Not exactly a safe zone, but worth the risk in my book.
The clients I get, hear of my work and know that I love unusual challenges. My reputation has been 25 years in the building, and believe me I work at it.
But I see lots and lots and lots of work around me that absolutely blows me away. I am constantly in search of better work than anything I could currently do, different techniques, different styles. And believe me I don't have to look far. Rather than be intimidated by it, I am inspired by it. And then IMMEDIATELY I try to figure out HOW they could do such wonderful work. After that it's a matter of practicing up until I can do the same.
And if you think I can come up with a successful project everytime.... well you should see the stuff in my dumpster.
So little time, so much to learn!
-dan
Well, that may be extreme but...that sugar cube job, was that something that came knocking at your door or did you take out of your pocket to create and the time you spent?
And, I'd love to be able to enter in your class as well. It drives me nuts because I have created similar, though not on such a grand scale, as you are doing now. It's like you say.....very dangerous place to put all your eggs.
Trust me. I'm not saying this to twist things up. The stuff you do is incredible. I've been sending everyone your entrances to your two sites and I kick myself each time I think, "Man! Why didn't I stick with that 30 years ago?"
You've awoken a giant monster in me. I've had my share of the realm you operate in as well. I got shut down though by Disney in FLA and the time factor and needing to eat put me out of the pocket.
I wish you all the best brother and I thank the lucky stars there are people like you that are getting the feeling and these projects created.
This stuff makes me tingle and I know you at least understand. Lot's of people thought I was nuts at times too...as well as the envious.
PS: I also know where I'm bringing my family this year . . . Giggle Ridge
[ December 15, 2001: Message edited by: Brian Cornwell ]
I learned a long time ago not to HARD SELL my work. When I try and cold sell someone what I think is a great idea, they immediately try to cut it down to the size of their imagination or percieved budget.
If they come to me requesting something special it is easy for me to either elaborate on their idea or dream up something for them. The project has to be the most important thing. Budget and other considerations are always there but aren't on top of the list.
When you do get a juicy request for a creative job, don't waste the opportunity. Use it to create something that exceeds everybody's expectations. This is how lifelong reputations are built.
I don't get calls from price shoppers or folks who want something ordinary. I suspect I have a reputaion for being expensive, but also for being way out there creatively. But folks also know that I provide quality and value. It's not a huge market, but plenty big enough to keep me as busy as I want to be.
What I do is done for the love of the work. But I do get paid well for this same stuff.
Outrageous, imaginative, original, quality work doesn't come cheap and isn't common. Because of this it is easy to charge what I need. I don't overcharge either as the money isn't what I am after. But I don't believe in being a poor starving artist either.
Generally the budget only determines the scale of the projects I work on. It doesn't determine the amount of imagination or creativeness that is used.
-dan
[ December 15, 2001: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
