Technoholic
02-01-08, 10:36 PM
Introducing Chris & Stu Dobell - Dobell Designs
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell2.jpg
Stu and Chris enjoying a beer or two
Signo: What drove you to enter the sign business?
Chris: Well, in mine and Stu's case, we both got into the industry because our Mum and Dad owed and ran a family business. The old man was a trade school teacher back in the 80's in Sydney, Australia and most of the local guys in our home town had either done their trade through our company or he had taught them at trade school. We are both really lucky as it's a skill that has taken us both around the world.
Signo: Please tell us about the most exciting sign you have ever made.
Chris: We both have been a part of some amazing projects, but a few come to mind for eg. working on the set of world wide kids tv show (Raggs), the MTV music awards, painting a large wall mural with some great artists in Victoria, Canada and the list goes on.
Signo: Would you admit to and tell us about the worst one ever?
Chris: There is never just one worst one! I am sure everyone has their bad sign days. We had to letter some text in our local steel company back in Oz. The room was so dirty and dusty from the machines that we couldn't get the surface clean enough. I had to lie upside down on top of 2 ladders to letter the roof and after each letter I did the dirt and dust just stuck to it and just blended in with the rest of the dust and dirt, by the time I'd finished, could you see a thing? Yes we do get some fun jobs.
Signo: Are there things about the industry today that frustrate you?
Chris: Yes! But if I were to mention them I wouldn't make any new friends, lets just say we are fans of the old school methods, paint and brushes kinda guys.
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell1.jpg
A fine example of Chris & Stu's hand lettering, airbrush work on a walldog piece.
Signo: Do you have a favorite media and why is it your favorite?
Chris: Anything thing that stands still long enough for us to paint it!
Signo: Where do you find inspiration for the work that you do?
Chris: Probably like most people in the game, we use SignCraft mag, Juxtapox mag, the internet, old books and mags.
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell3.jpg
Another example of Stu & Chris's fine hand lettering.
Signo: On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being really dire) - how do you rate high street signs in general?
Chris: Doesn't bother us.
Signo: Please tell us a little about some of your of your other interests. What's your thayang?
Chris: Well we are both music fans and have played in bands for years, we like to travel, go to artshows, drink the odd beer or 2. we are aussies and easy to please.
Signo: Tell us about one thing, generally speaking, that really eats you; gets your goat; cheeses you off.
Chris: People still looking down apon the sign guys and girls like we dont deserve to be paid good money for what we do.
Signo: And lastly what is your favorite thing about Signoholics? Besides the really cool staff. ;o))
Chris: A chance to look at new idea's and meet new people from all around the world.
A big thank you to the guys for making the time to take part in this series.
You can see more of Chris's & Stu's work on their website: http://www.dobelldesigns.4t.com/
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell2.jpg
Stu and Chris enjoying a beer or two
Signo: What drove you to enter the sign business?
Chris: Well, in mine and Stu's case, we both got into the industry because our Mum and Dad owed and ran a family business. The old man was a trade school teacher back in the 80's in Sydney, Australia and most of the local guys in our home town had either done their trade through our company or he had taught them at trade school. We are both really lucky as it's a skill that has taken us both around the world.
Signo: Please tell us about the most exciting sign you have ever made.
Chris: We both have been a part of some amazing projects, but a few come to mind for eg. working on the set of world wide kids tv show (Raggs), the MTV music awards, painting a large wall mural with some great artists in Victoria, Canada and the list goes on.
Signo: Would you admit to and tell us about the worst one ever?
Chris: There is never just one worst one! I am sure everyone has their bad sign days. We had to letter some text in our local steel company back in Oz. The room was so dirty and dusty from the machines that we couldn't get the surface clean enough. I had to lie upside down on top of 2 ladders to letter the roof and after each letter I did the dirt and dust just stuck to it and just blended in with the rest of the dust and dirt, by the time I'd finished, could you see a thing? Yes we do get some fun jobs.
Signo: Are there things about the industry today that frustrate you?
Chris: Yes! But if I were to mention them I wouldn't make any new friends, lets just say we are fans of the old school methods, paint and brushes kinda guys.
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell1.jpg
A fine example of Chris & Stu's hand lettering, airbrush work on a walldog piece.
Signo: Do you have a favorite media and why is it your favorite?
Chris: Anything thing that stands still long enough for us to paint it!
Signo: Where do you find inspiration for the work that you do?
Chris: Probably like most people in the game, we use SignCraft mag, Juxtapox mag, the internet, old books and mags.
http://signoholics.com/tenquestions/dobell3.jpg
Another example of Stu & Chris's fine hand lettering.
Signo: On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being really dire) - how do you rate high street signs in general?
Chris: Doesn't bother us.
Signo: Please tell us a little about some of your of your other interests. What's your thayang?
Chris: Well we are both music fans and have played in bands for years, we like to travel, go to artshows, drink the odd beer or 2. we are aussies and easy to please.
Signo: Tell us about one thing, generally speaking, that really eats you; gets your goat; cheeses you off.
Chris: People still looking down apon the sign guys and girls like we dont deserve to be paid good money for what we do.
Signo: And lastly what is your favorite thing about Signoholics? Besides the really cool staff. ;o))
Chris: A chance to look at new idea's and meet new people from all around the world.
A big thank you to the guys for making the time to take part in this series.
You can see more of Chris's & Stu's work on their website: http://www.dobelldesigns.4t.com/