posted
With each new project we tackle one of the hardest first steps is to establish a style which will carry us through the project which most often has many pieces.
Meetings with the client and examples of past projects help, but often what I describe is hard to convey to the customer. Its especially hard when we are constantly raising the bar in terms of quality and style. The first drawings I present will either fly or not and will set the tone for the entire project.
Our latest large project is now on the drawing board. Its lived in my head for a couple of weeks now and I've done many sketches, taken many notes, and decided just where I want to go with it. The trick is to get the client to buy into this very same vision.
The first drawing is the key and I pull out all the stops to pick one that will present the ideas I have in mind. In this case it was the entry arch and sign.
Pirates is a new theme to me but overused in my view, many times not that well. Everyone does the pirate/carribean theme. To succeed at this tired old theme we will have to go over the top... WAY OVER!
Although drawing from tired old cliches and common ideas I sought to present these old ideas in a brand new way... I found to my delight that it didn't take long to get into the theme using our trademeark style and LOTS of dimension... this is going to be fun!!!! Lots of sculpting and routering on this project!!!
I emailed the first drawing to the client last night... and was relieved to recieve enthusiastic approval this morning...
FULL SPEED ahead in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ April 03, 2007, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Dan - you have an absolutely amazing drawing style...a pen and ink/marker kind of look that really shows your incredible artistic ability.
I think one of the many keys to success is an ability to actually illustrate and render concepts...which is a talent you obviously excel at.
And your ability to create concepts that are creative and somewhat unusual sets you apart as well...
For instance: The curved gate opening that splits and fits about the skull. How many people would have had a dead-center vertical opening? Lots I bet....
So it's creative touches like that which make your work so much fun to view - and I'm sure, so much fun for you to create.
Nice job...keep us posted as you begin this project...nothing funner than seeing it start as a sketch/concept and come to life.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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I'm still in an infancy stage with a few customers/clients being committees of strong-opinioned women...and there drop your profits! The committees I deal with, with no women, have faith in me and things happen well. Those with them- well it's really only a couple( the rest are OK) - geeze you wish you'd trebled the quote before you began!
All the best with it, and may all your designs and quotes always be well-received by committees of men (& women) with faith in you!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I have to agree with Todd, I love the curved line through the gate, it really sets it apart! The vines on the trees at the sides look like they will be a lot of fun to make. Looking forward to seeing pictures of the project as it progresses!
-------------------- Anne McDonald 17 Karnak Crescent Russley Christchurch 8042 New Zealand
"I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure" Posts: 877 | From: Christchurch | Registered: Sep 2006
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First one to identify what I am refering to, gets a fully paid {if you want to spring for the ticket} one way ticket to Yarrow to work for free with Dan and crew on the Pirate project.
Ya, RIGHT!!!!
Really Dan, another inspirational piece.
Regards.
-------------------- Bob Cole American Sign Company 14163 Akron Canfield Rd. Berlin Center, Ohio 44401
A.K.A. Vinylman® Posts: 575 | From: Berlin Center, Ohio, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Good eye Bob... although there are plenty of "cheats" in this piece. Some are hidden by redrawing some over the almost finished drawing...
The posts and two halves of the sign face are actually partial drawings salvaged from another design which didn't fly. I don't win them all, but good ideas don't go bad. And yup I only drew one post and flipped it. Same goes for the two halves of the sign and the gates too... but I adjusted the heights of the iron work along the top to make it a little more random.
When we go to build it though the final product will not be symetrical on the two halves and the posts will be very different too...
When I'm at the design table I'll use every trick in the book (and a few I've invented myself) to make things go a little faster. The concept drawings are just that... concepts to pitch the idea to the client. Once that is done the fun begins for real.
Drawing up a storm in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ April 03, 2007, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Very nice! I'm always amazed by your drawings, Dan... can't wait to start seeing the pics of the real deal as it comes together...
And Bob... after carefully looking I was gonna guess you were referring to the fact that the columns are the same, only mirrored, and then I read the admission in Dan's reply......
Wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't mentioned though.... good eye.
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Dan, I must agree with Todd. You have with out a doubt one of the most creative minds that I have witnessed in my intire career in the sign industry spanning 50 years and having fun doing it. You are absolutely amazing. Keep up the great work and bringing the inspration to those out there who are watching you and are learning from your willingness to share with others. You are truly a master and one of a kind!
-------------------- Len Mort Signmaker1.com 11 Juniper Drive Millbury, MA 508-865-2382 "A Good Business Sign, is A Sign of Good Business"(1957) Posts: 811 | From: Millbury, Ma | Registered: Dec 2006
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