Just what is it?

[dave parr]

The fun of the trade.

I've been trying to put that to words. That which takes place inside when you hand letter, paint panels, wall dog, etc. It's tough to for me to describe. It just isn't there while using the techniques employed today. It's not even close to being there.

Design is part of it. There is some satisfaction in developing a nice design, computer generated or old school. There always seemed to be way more job satisfaction and enjoyment doing an entire project using the hands and mind. The methods today seem to still require the hands, for the most part, but way less of the mind. I'm not saying the newer ways are mindless, they just seem to be way more tedious and far less creative.

I'm not sure I'm getting to the heart of the matter here. Do any of you know what I'm getting at? Do you feel the same things? How would you describe it?

[Signoholic]

I think things flow more when working by hand, you can spend a month of Sundays on the computer, they are great for perfecting strait lines and accurate symmetrical shapes, but the truth is and I know having spent hours on the computer, its just more fun to do things by eye and hand, especially when working on covetous objects, van panels, dimensional stuff etc, as you will see when I post my new works van, wich will be all hand rendered. You may of seen my computer generated visuals, wich as you will see when I post will of rendered useless. ha. But sometimes computer and modern methods prevail to help and speed up hand methods, but then this is us guys on here speaking and the reality being; us been the minority in this game, we should take our hats of to peops like chunky who break the mould and lead a path for others to follow - am I making sense here, or is this just another timeless rant?

[dave parr]

No, That's not a rant. I'll give ya a rant. ;) I understand your points and agree about the shapes etc. and with what you brought up about Chunkie.

I absolutely respect Chunkie for perusing an understanding of the roots of the trade. It's great to see people actually try doing the work by hand. I've been around some pretty talented people that came along after the change who won't try the old ways. One in particular is a real conundrum for me little pea brain. The fellow is very talented, and can do awesome faux finishing and graining but won't try the hand lettering, and yet he loves music and other forms or art. He's like a veritable walking dictionary. He sees the value of authentic hand rendered sign work, but wants everything to be even more technologically controlled and produced. He makes me scratch my head.

I see many, I mean many horrendous uses of digital printing. From half a block away it's completely gone. Really bad design. The message is stuck in some convenient place but way too small and the rest of the area used is a wash of unidentifiable illustrations or photos that just don't work for the purpose. If the technology is going to be used, and it is, I see the folks that can put it all together by using the lessons of good balanced layouts AND their creativity to create awesome designs, winning the market share of paying customers. The people that can add a background image that is complementary using the contrasts of shape and color to emphasize and enhance the message, then add that, "just right," border or accent element that ties it together will be noticed. The wild splashes that work still use the correct fundamentals. Those that don't are simply annoying.

We had to learn all of those design principles as part of the backbone of the trade. We respect it and strive toward it. Now it is far and few between. It was was such a different time, yet just yesterday. What seems such a shame is this business has such a potential to be a very enjoyable industry.

I often talk about the fun because I understand it's value. For those that have trouble finding it, for me, it's a choice.

Yep, that's it boss.

Was that ranty enough?

[Wayne]

For me..
Its the Lettering itself-The bare bones and a good layout - ( Its true if you have a good layout you can get away with some rough lettering)
But I learned to draw letters before I was allowed to paint them- to appreciate the correct, exact and beauty of a good Roman or block letter.

I hand letter everything-everday- all day sometimes ( and into the night)- always have done- don't rely on any other method of producing signs in my shop
( Ok,OK i cave in for a bit of vinyl from a third person when the pressures on- but its not my CORE thing)
What I'm saying here is I get an ENORMOUS buzz out of a good layout and even bigger buzz out of making GOOD letters.

We have to wear a lot of hats in this game but-Its the "craft" element I love-beyond the business side of the trade.

The computer stuff Just does'nt give me that- and it does'nt give me the "results" i want.

Computer Letters are stiff and lifeless- I can't change my mind about the relationship between letters on the screen and once its printed- I cant change it!-

People ask me why I still hand letter rows and rows of small copy- or plain block text-
Well, Firstly-
Because I can.
2ndly-I hope i'm quick enough to make it worth the ££
3rdly- coz i WANT to.!

I meet folks I was at school with and they are all grumbling about their Jobs and waiting for payday- and the weekend.

I could'nt imagine doing any other job myself- and definately could'nt do a job I hated that much.

The thought of getting into the shop this morning, and lettering some 8x2's get me leaping from my bed- not the daily grind others seem to suffer from.

I suppose its Passion- but I think its a bit bigger than that- Its the passion that keeps things going but look at the letterheads meets-All those people are there for EXACTLY the same reason- whatever their shop background.
.
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.MMMMMM- good thread Dave- makes ya think -does'nt it!

[sentinal43]

i agree with you all on this one
i like wayne lerned by doing thrs of the same letters on a bourd day in day out untill i got it right my tutor dtood over me and told me were i was going wrong all the time
i find that today people just want a sign and that is exactaly wot the get just a sign
although there are the signmakers out there with the talent and artistic flare to make it look realy good in the vinul side
there still is the element that some times it just looks like it is a sign
thats why i love doing my bit when i can you can add yr own artistic flare to it as you go along even to the extent that each sign you do put next to othere signs by other signwriter you can tell who did wot individuality thats wot we do no t2 signs are ever the same realy are thety lol
ther is one sign on the island i wish i could get my hands on its above a shop in cowes called pascals they have been a yaught merchants since 1820
and they still have the y old glass sign above the door on the facia about 20ft long
i must say its in a sorry state and need to be taken down and redone but like so many things they proberly wont pay for it all the old skills are in this sign gillding acid etch etc etc just wish there was more of these things around they are truly a pice of art