posted
Not too long ago I was asked by a local developer to design a logo and entrance sign for his new project. It was called "Terra Bella" (Beautiful Land) and needed an Italian feel since the streets all had Italian names.
He needed a temporary entrance sign until the wall was built and also signs on each lot along with some artwork for a brochure and business cards.
I proposed several ideas and he choose the one shown below. We also designed the rock wall that would border each side of the gated entrance. Since he made several trips to Italy each year he wanted a ceramic tile sign inset into the limestone wall, and the tile was to be fired in Italy.
So, we made the temporary site sign using a digital print of the logo and also made him a CD with the logo in several different formats so the tile guy in Italy could work from my artwork. A copy of the logo was emailed ahead just to be sure that he knew what everything looked like. There was also to be a small monogram fired for use on each side of the entrance.
The rock wall and entrance gate was constructed, leaving an inset space for the ceramic tile when it arrived from Italy.
The developer called several months later and said the sign was installed and looked great. He also said that the tile guy had made some suggestions to improve the design..to keep it from looking so plain. A red flag went up in my brain.
Here's what was installed: (notice any improvements?)
The monogram had also been improved and ended up like this, which was not very much like my artwork except that it had TB on it.
This is a photo of the wall and gate I designed. Notice that the sign was placed almost to the edge of the top curve. It was supposed to have been further to the left, more in the center of the wall, but evidently the mason couldn't read the measurements...or just ignored them. There is a mirror image wall on the other side.
The developer was pleased with the results and really couldn't tell that the sign was in the wrong place or that you couldn't read it from a distance.
Oh well, I got paid for what I did and the mason, tile man, concrete guy....everyone got paid, so there was no harm done.
But, sometimes I just have to stop and wonder, "What were they thinking?"
[ April 05, 2007, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
"the tile guy" improving on YOUR design????? I define that as arrogance, plain and simple - not to mention several other adjectives that come to mind. Sorta like taking a Lambourgini and adding a set of cow horns to the hood to make it look better, huh Tex? You gonna put that in your portfolio Rainman?
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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that is such a shame when ya had it so nice and well thought out ,th4eey all made big error by confirming with you before thay did the work and improvements ..BET you get the blame when ppl say they can't find the place.. lol lol lol ... even the best designers like yourself get hit with naysayers wow thank you n enjoy life
posted
I absolutely can't believe your customer was not appalled at that sign!
It looks horrible. I hope you didn't see it for the first time in front of your customer, because when I saw the second pic I actually gasped out loud.
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Quick... pat me on the back... I'm choking.
My condolenses.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
I've had that type of thing happen to me on occasion... but you won't see the pics in my portfolio either.
Take a deep breath Raymond... and hope better for next time.
Nice design the first go around!
-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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OUCH! I think that should go into your portfolio alongside a picture of your design with a heading that reads - "When others interfere..." Maybe that will make the next guy think he should trust YOUR judgement.
-------------------- “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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![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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You gonna put that in your portfolio Rainman?
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