posted
Around these parts I have been known as a person who hates some of the new technology. I'm only 35 years old but love the old world. That said I finally realized that all my bellyaching wasn't going to change the future of this business. I decided to spend less time crying and listening to crying on this BB. I got back to work doing the type of signs I love to do. I'm not worrying about what anyone else is doing. I'm concentrating on putting out the best work I have ever done and now I'm busier then I have ever been. When it comes to people, we will never all get along. I have met some on this board who I really think are great people. I have also met some I don't care to speak to again. That's life. When it comes to new sign guys learning this trade, they shouldn't be blamed because they were handed a PC instead of a pencil. Different tools, different times. I use new tools to do old style signs. I also use old tools to do new style signs. Bottom line is this. It is my job to put out a better designed and better quality sign then the next guy. That is what I intend to do, no matter how I get there. If I take work away from an oldtimer or a newtimer then I have done my job. I'll crawl back into my hole now. Catch you at a live meet.
[ July 08, 2002, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Robert Larkham ]
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I totally agree with you Rob and have found the use of computer generated design very helpful in much of my custom work. Mark Klein of southern Florida helped me considerably in the late 80's with design as well as colors, neatly transformed to a mask and since that time, have always tried to do it that way. Even the 1st.Car Craft project Chevelle design was done with a computer by over-lapping one color to the next in squares and flag waving graphics are abit tedious without the use of ones ability on the computer, if ya understand what I'm trying to say. Although in my line of work, I rarely use it anymore because of the amount of work and the kind of work I've changed to, since moving to the northwest. But at least I had the opportunity to learn what can be done if perfection is the case with signage and larger sprayed graphics.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
I haven't gotten into this until now because i had to think about it!
In my opinion i think the debate between old school and New school is like cuting wood with a hand saw and chisles, or cutting it with powersaws and a router.
now about the hand drawn and computer generated, its all about the tools, i choose to mix and match and i think the bottom line after design and quality is the Profit. yes i can hand draw multi lines of helvetica tape off and hand letter with a brush and have very professional product but with the computer and vinyl my price can be lower and the profit margin up! so there you go.
ooh...and the apprenticeship should begin at home not just at a letterhead meet hundreds of miles away. if you have a skill that you want to share to teach, seak out people in your area. or if you want to learn how to hand letter offer your time to a shop that does it. other wise it is the old school mentallity to hide and protect your "secrets" in order to keep a customer or market. I think in this day and age is better to offer a greater service. helping the customer feel that they are your only one!
We all have different skills and disires but to gether we make up a body.. "letterheads". how can the hand say to the foot I'm better than you and more valuable.
so there you go!
the problem i have the biggest gripe is some one how sells there work ..opps...gives there work away, in turn drives the market value down! ($12 for 2-sided coraplast...come-on!! ) making it harder and harder for the rest of us to turn a decent profit!
Amen brother Rob
Chris
[ July 08, 2002, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: Chris Lovelady ]
-------------------- "We have been making house calls since 1992"
Chris Lovelady Vital Signs
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! Tallahassee, Florida Thomasville, Ga.
posted
Like many on this board, I started with 3 brushes and 4 cans of paint back in the 50s! Lettering and pinstriping were a craft....lots of fun....and you made a few bucks just screwin' ar ound. It was a way NOT to have to go to work! Somewhere along the way, it all became a business. The "evolution" of the times....you know...technology and all that. Well, I saw the writing on the wall It wasn't what I wanted,but it was the way it was. So I dragged myself kicking and screaming into the digital world...no school, no help, just myself. Thank God I made the transition, because I got into some severe medical dificulties which made the computer my only alternative to keep doing what I loved most! It was the right move for ME! So when the comparisons start flying on old/new, etc......been there, done that. Where I'm at now is just fine...it works for me! Anybody else....not my concern. Got my own battles to fight!
posted
Rob, having read most of the bickering nonsense on this topic the last few days, I want to hand it to you. This was one of the best statements of purpose and positive affirmation I've read here in a long, long time.
You have what it takes to be successful; not just talent and desire, but attitude. Good for you!
-------------------- "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
Ha ha ha -- Monte, here's one of my very favorite quotes of all time. National Lampoon Magazine in the '70s used to search these things out and publish them. It's by Joseph Campbell, a famous writer ;
"They were not they for they one were. One was and not they them."
Ha ha , man if that ain't an original...
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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