posted
A couple of questions...first I'm just curious to find out which of these sign shapes my peers prefer...both shapes were presented to the customer and the signs were approved but which shape has been left up to me...I've done alot of work for this company and they pretty much defer everything to me...although both shapes would work well I have a slight preference...just curious as to how my judgment aligns with my fellow craftsmen.
Second I have 2 of these to make...so there will be 4 dimensional trees @ 41" x 18" and about 1.5" thick...without access to a router I plan to mold and cast from 1 original which I would make out of clay...the clay would be easy to shape and detail...I've not made a mold before but the process looks simple enough and fun...I would make a plaster mold but need to research what material to use for the castings...any thoughts...I'm open too and welcome any suggestions.
posted
I like the first one. It has really nice flow and a peaceful, quieter feel to it. They are both lovely though.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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-------------------- Frank Smith Frank Smith Signs Albany, NY www.franksmithsigns.com Posts: 807 | From: Albany, NY USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
So counting the 5 votes from this room and another 4 votes from my end...it's 4 for the top and 5 for the bottom...I told the manager at the apartments I was running this poll among sign experts and she was interested in the results...I have a preference but I'm not revealing yet...I might consider letting this poll make my decision.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
With the tree I like the top one which surprises me because if you were just presenting me with the shapes alone I would pick the bottom one as my favorite one.
-------------------- Joy Kjer Art On Display Signs 4001 Randolph St Lincoln, NE
"My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot." Posts: 445 | From: 4001 Randolph St. Lincoln, NE | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I like the lower one.....the curves on the top corners direct the eye back to the main text. To me the Greentree stands out a bit more on the lower one.
Might be cost prohibitive but I would look into a silicone mold poured with two-part Butter Board or urethanes?
Consider using a sculpting epoxy like Magic Sculpt to make the trees Rusty. I'd bulk them out real quick with scraps of HDU and then sculpt over that. The trees wouldn't be perfectly identical but with your talent they would be close. Making the trees by hand would be fun and give you some hands-on experience with the new medium. Build the budget enough so you have funds to buy a little extra so you have some left over for another project of your own. No telling what you could come up with!!!
-grampa dan
-------------------- 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: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain ! Jim Moser Design 13342 C Grass Valley Ave. Grass Valley, Ca. 95945 530-273-7615 jwmoser@att.net Posts: 488 | From: Grass Valley, Ca. | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Top one... smoother... flow into posts with caps don't create a funky small neg space like the bottom...although it's not a major issue - they're both nice.
I just prefer the top.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Bottom one. The shape fits the main copy better and the extra shape flows into the outer shorter mounting posts, where as the top one just flows out. If the outer posts fit the flow of the top shape it might be a different story.
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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And id you plan on making a mold I will strongly recommend against a plaster Mold. You'd fight and fight to get the part out and will end up breaking the mold. There are some very reasonable Priced mold material out there that's not silicone. (granted I mostly use silicone) but for a Short run you can use a Polyurethane mold material.That is cost effective.. I have used used the GTS 20.. http://www.industrialpolymers.com/molding_compounds.html With very good luck on short run Items (10) without deep undercuts. Then Casting them with Urethane.
You just want to be real careful that you get a very good barrier coat on the mold as if you don't the Urethane's will bond together.
For the Barrier coat there are few different ways of doing it. The quick and dirty way I use is Paste Wax (Minwax) and Rattle can Flat Black.(Or what ever color you want that contrasts with the mold.)
Brush your wax generously inside the mold then paint your mold inside with the paint making sure you get a good coverage and you see no sign of the mold showing through. I usually do 3 coats. Then pour your resin.. The Resin will bond with the paint and melt the wax and comes out with a primer already bonded to the piece.(If you have any wax residue you can wash it off with Hot water or Mineral spirits(The mineral spirits will take off your paint though.)
If you cannot find Paste wax(very Unlikely) You can make a mix of Petroleum Jelly and Lacquer thinner and do the same thing through an old paint gun. (Just don't ever use that gun again for paint).
Or buy a can of Para-film release. (I like my home-brews better)
I use the Protocast 80R by the truckload.(Exaggerated) You can put a filler in this to make it lighter(Microballons) or heavier(Sand). or if you want to use HDU you can use this. http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html We use the 4 and 8 pound with good success.It comes out with a very hard finish and the Proper Density in the middle. If you go with the Foam you will need to have a back for your Mold, 1/2 mdo with some holes drilled in it for the air to escape works well. Remember to wax your board or the part will bond to it. Pour your foam then clamp the board down so when the foam expands it won't lift it..(Don't try sitting on the board.. It will bond to your Butt.. Don't Ask me how I know that one.)
This is the Cliffnotes version. Fell free to contact me if you need some help. Bill
P.S. Put some Wax Paper down before using the foam.. It bonds to everything.(I use the Backing paper from lamination for this.)
posted
I certainly appreciate everyone's participation and advice...what a great source of knowledge and expertise to draw from...thanks to everybody...at present..counting votes from this room and 3 other respected opinions from my end...it's 9 to 7 in favor of the top shape.
posted
I like the better "fit" of the bottom design because it looks more balanced when you give it the "squint" test. However, put me down as a vote for the top. I prefer the organic flow of the curved top.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- 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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posted
At first I liked the bottom one because I like a lot of shape. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder because when I did the squint test I liked the top one better. So I'm going with the top one.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
I agree with Joy, shown the shape alone I'd pick the bottom. But the top has a nice flow. The only thing I don't like is the phone rider, they always look like an afterthought.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3813 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Breaking news...just got off the phone...the decision has been made for me...after initially leaving it up to me they decided to let the manager of the complex pick...she chose the bottom one...out of 31 votes among our peers the simpler top shape was winning by a 2 to 1 margin...at the beginning I had a slight preference for the simpler top shape...as the voting went along that preference became stronger and stronger...doesn't matter now...it's not my decision. thanks everyone...if it turns out OK I'll post it when finished.
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![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
thanks everyone...if it turns out OK I'll post it when finished.
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