posted
If you consider what Mike Stevens did with defining graphics, so that we can describe what works and doesn't with any sign, that's what I want about store entryways. Not just a picture book of pretty fronts, but something with explanations that reveal the patterns of pleasing colors and proportions and textures and such. It wold need to speak about the architecture and the signs and window dressings also. How many of you have this book? Can you tell me its name please?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Is it, "Mastering Layout,,,The Art of Eye Appeal", writen by Mike Steven's? I have one. it's one of my "Jewels".
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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It was jaw dropping to watch this person at work...
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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from what i'm reading in rick's post... (he knows about mike's book).... he's asking is there a book that speaks to color, proportion and texture ?
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Rick Signs of the Times have a publishing division and probably have the closest type of book that you are inquiring about. Their "Sign Gallery Series" in particular, although they have separate books that touch on the topics you've specified.The earliest 3 editions of that series are probably out of print and are probably also the most relavent to the hand painting craft portion of the trade.
Hopefully you find something there which satisfies your needs.
Edited to add:
Here's another link to a more recent book authored by a Chinese Graphic Designer. Possibly interesting to see how America's Commercial Storefronts are viewed by someone with a different cultural background. It's at : http://www.linksbooks.net/architecture-books/storefronts-usa/
[ June 09, 2013, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: Ken Henry ]
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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It would also be interesting to consider the ergonomics of the storefront. Years ago I had an interesting conversation with a video store owner who read about ergonomics; and employed the concepts in his new store. He was saying that people don't like the corners of a counter, so they use the middle. His store's counters were all 'mitered' for lack of a better term; a square became an 8 sided place. The isles where the videos were displayed were only chest high, so that the store had a more open look. I'm wondering if there are different kinds and sizes of doors that are more appealing. In the typical how to paint landscapes book, they will say to make a country road curve out of sight to invoke the viewer's curiosity, and draw them into the scene. I had someone once tell me that the reason storefront windows were papered completely over when a new business was moving in was to invoke a sense of mystery and curiosity before the grand opening. Just rambling on with what might be relevant thoughts.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Thank you Mr. Donahue. Your comment re assured me that someone understood my comments. I have the old ST books. They are pictures. I'm thinking about some analytical evaluation and the results of study where there are defined concepts explained. Proportions. Color use. Amount of open window space. I doubt any such book has been written yet.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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In my travels I have yet to see such a book... although that by no means that there isn't one. Good luck in your search.
-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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I found this: retail , might be a start. I figured people had studied the thing.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Rick, you might enjoy "The Old Way of Seeing" by Jonathan Hale. It's more about architecture but gets into the subject of design which I found extremely interesting. The book was recommended to me by Shane Durnford, whose work we have all admired here in Letterville. I was able to check the book out at the library.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Rick I haven't seen such a book, but VM&SD (Visual Merchandising and Store Design magazine) used to run some articles covering research on the topic. It was mostly college-type statistics analysis (data crunching) on how long people stopped to look in a window, or what effect a "sale" sign had, etc. Kind of dry stuff, and not really any digested information that I recall coming out of it. Their published by the same people who publish Signs of the Times as well as Boutique Design.
Steven's book is singular in the design field for prescriptive design advice. That's why it is used as a textbook in many design disciplines; not just for sign design.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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