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After several months of just cranking out artwork that is hard to get excited about ( I guess I was going thru my yearly creative slump) I took several days off to paint my house and clear my mind. Couple of days later, I get a phone call from the same client that I painted the Spiderman mural for. They are opening a business that is a computer gaming center, LAN parties and the such. They want me to design the interior, signs, etc. FREE REIGN on whatever I want to create (well, ok, within budget, but still WHATEVER looks cool and high-tech. My mind goes crazy with all kinds of design ideas, but this is what we decided to do for now: 1. the name of business is "The Cortex" so I am constructing a 4' diam. "brain" that will be mounted from the ceiling in the center of the gaming area. The brain will have all kind of hoses and wires coming out of it, that will go into the ceiling, as well as being illuminated by green neon from within parts of the brain. The same type of tubing, hoses, wires, and lights will be run from the ceiling to the computer boxes ( that will clear acrylic with lots of neon inside) This will give the illusion that the "brain" is powering all of the computers. 2. The crown molding is being constructed to look like circuit boards, that will also have many wires running all over the place. Rob McCauley, another lettervillian, is helping me out with that. 3. Lots of chrome, brushed metal, neon. The end result will be a very high-tech atmosphere.
I kind of feel like a mad scientist with all these creative juices going crazy. I almost forgot what that feels like. And the first thing I thought of....
This must be how Dan Sawatzky feels all the time!!!!
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1737 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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There is a way to feel like that more often. I'm sure Dan would agree, that it takes effort to educate yourself to getting that sort of clientelle, then getting your marketing and or protfolio together to reflect that kind of work. I know the feeling of spending a year of doing just layouts, bored me to death. There is a lot of work like that if you know where to look. www.segd.com is a start, then there are Visual Merchandising organizations, Shopping mall orgs, Themed and exhibit organizations the list goes on and on. It beats runing a plotter doing low ball customer stuff all the time. A taste of what I do is at www.huntdesign.com
Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Dan is an inspiration to me. It seems like a couple weeks ago that he made a posting where he said his daughters (or somebody) told him to "just dream", in regards to designing his own office area.
I've been wondering for awhile how to "do" my own shop. When I read those words, "just dream", It came to me in twenty seconds or less. I was a happy camper, still am.
I share a "stall" in a commercial building on a busy hwy. Since he,my father in law moves and stores pianos, (they're REAL heavy), he has the front half. I walk through his half to get to my shop. The shop is already divided but just a wall with signs on it and a door.
Some time back, I was doing some sign work at a nearby theme park, after hours, and needed a place to plug in an extension cord. Someone told me I could plug in down in the building that housed a ride. The ride is an underground roller-coaster. It goes through this little town, 1895 era, with scenes of buildings burning.
I went down there, and it was WIERD! They had some neat antiques as props, including an old horse-drawn hearse. The quality of the finishes back then is amazing. I was down there by myself, and I can't describe how wierd/neat it was.
So it hits me that I could have the front of my half like "The lost sign shop", (Insert spooky organ music, and no comments about "lost" please.) Of course, when you enter, it will be modern, which should be a neat contrast. I'm planning on using it as a combination shop and showroom. Only computer work or brush painting in there, so less dust to mess things up.
Windows blocked out, different kinds of lighting to highlight signs.
Even if it's a year away, every move is geared toward it. (Where does this get stored, keep it or toss it?) It also has a neat impact on sign design.
I'm pumped, thanks Dan.
-------------------- 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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TOday I laid hundreds of concrete blocks. It was ordinary grey cement blocks, but I could visualize the finished product as I went. I laid them on the footings we poured the other day... and the walls although straight along the property line go up & down in waves following what will be the new contours of the property.
THe neighbors are curious and baffled for they only see a block wall being laid like none they have every seen before. WHen they come around I try to describe how it will appear when we are finished... and I think they sort of understand.
I spent some of the day in meetings with structural engineers and building inspectors... all are very excited about our project and doing all they can to help me move it along quickly.
I also showed my inspector the drawing of the electrical building (train station) and asked for his input... he decided it wasn't a real building... and asked me to re-label the drawings to call it electrical meter stand - no permit required.
It will look something like this.
Another happy and busy day at the ranch!!
-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: 8765 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think that's ultimately what Dan is all about. Why build something straight because it is the accepted norm? Nature certainly does not follow these rules, so why should we. Do things a little different and they call you strange. Do thing fairly different and they call you weird. Do thing wildly different and they call you an artist. Go wild.
-------------------- "Are we having fun yet?" Peter Schuttinga DZines Sign Studio 1617 Millstream rd Victoria BC V9B-6G4 Posts: 521 | From: Victoria BC | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Update: I started on the big "Brain", mire mesh and foam. Most of the foam is in place, then lots of sanding and painting. I have already promised my 7 yr old son that he can help airbrush on the brain.
It is approx. 4' in diameter and now weighs about 30-40 lbs.
I just got the "fake" neon tubing that will be recessed into parts of the brain.
Lots of work before Friday, they are having a LAN tournament, and they would love to have as much done as possible.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1737 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:2. The crown molding is being constructed to look like circuit boards, that will also have many wires running all over the place. Rob McCauley, another lettervillian, is helping me out with that.
Update:
Almost got the base prints for the crown molding done! Trying to meet that deadline Can't wait to see the finished product myself!
-------------------- Rob McCauley
Production Manager Archway Graphic Designs a Division of Sign Express, Inc. www.signexpress.tv Little Rock, Ar 501.224.0227 --- The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. ;-) Posts: 53 | From: Little Rock, Ar | Registered: Feb 2002
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-------------------- 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: 8765 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Can't wait to see the finished product myself!
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