posted
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 ]
-------------------- Eric Houser Eric Houser Signs Richmond, Va Posts: 74 | From: Richmond, Va | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
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.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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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
-------------------- Dave Parr Sign Painter USA Posts: 709 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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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!
-------------------- Steve Racz Racz's Handcarved Signs Posts: 1078 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2004
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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!
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3491 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
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.
-------------------- Eric Houser Eric Houser Signs Richmond, Va Posts: 74 | From: Richmond, Va | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
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.
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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