Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
Having started in graphic design that included sign painting earlier than Jill
I can attest to the blow having lost all my production skills to the computer. It took
a while to figure out what was going on, and I refused to use one. I ended up in
construction (which paid a hell of a lot more by the way) than learning on one.
I worked at some really nice design firms and sign shops... I had design skills,
no doubt about it. But to unlearn it all was a bit too much... or so I thought.
You have to understand... we worked with our hands, it was painstakingly slow
and accurate with principles and standards to adhere to. If you screwed up, it
could take hours to fix.
We all have our own version of the sign business. We all have our own journey.
I only design. After years of resisting, I ended up taking on the computer... at
first it was quickie sticky vinyl, after a while, it was obvious that it was heading to
the lowest price... this was in 1996... so I ended up in architectural, then
environments. Working as an employee, I have designed work in nearly every
major theme park around the world, a lot of it hand lettered... it's just not me lettering
it. I also do mindless sign packages for industrial complexes and apartments that pay
very well. If I relied on my local area to support me, I would go broke. Our work is
all over the country.
I can always get a printer. I CAN get your kind of clients...can the opposite be said?
I can also design lackluster layouts all day long, can the same be said for new shops
sprouting up? Gimme a break, experience, skill and talent mean something. And that's
what some of us old farts think about... though this old phart digs young designers
and driven business people.
I get what Gino, Jill and others are saying is saying. We know this stuff because
we've done it, or seen other people do it and failed. I admire young sign makers who
make their own path, but at some point, that formula you are using will hit a wall and
you will have to decide where you are going to compromise or change.
To Jill, I understand your predicament, I think there is a way for you to make money
your way, but I also know the feeling of defeat. But you are 100% correct, do not lower
your prices... in fact, I think you should raise them. 30 years means something in this
business.
I can attest to the blow having lost all my production skills to the computer. It took
a while to figure out what was going on, and I refused to use one. I ended up in
construction (which paid a hell of a lot more by the way) than learning on one.
I worked at some really nice design firms and sign shops... I had design skills,
no doubt about it. But to unlearn it all was a bit too much... or so I thought.
You have to understand... we worked with our hands, it was painstakingly slow
and accurate with principles and standards to adhere to. If you screwed up, it
could take hours to fix.
We all have our own version of the sign business. We all have our own journey.
I only design. After years of resisting, I ended up taking on the computer... at
first it was quickie sticky vinyl, after a while, it was obvious that it was heading to
the lowest price... this was in 1996... so I ended up in architectural, then
environments. Working as an employee, I have designed work in nearly every
major theme park around the world, a lot of it hand lettered... it's just not me lettering
it. I also do mindless sign packages for industrial complexes and apartments that pay
very well. If I relied on my local area to support me, I would go broke. Our work is
all over the country.
I can always get a printer. I CAN get your kind of clients...can the opposite be said?
I can also design lackluster layouts all day long, can the same be said for new shops
sprouting up? Gimme a break, experience, skill and talent mean something. And that's
what some of us old farts think about... though this old phart digs young designers
and driven business people.
I get what Gino, Jill and others are saying is saying. We know this stuff because
we've done it, or seen other people do it and failed. I admire young sign makers who
make their own path, but at some point, that formula you are using will hit a wall and
you will have to decide where you are going to compromise or change.
To Jill, I understand your predicament, I think there is a way for you to make money
your way, but I also know the feeling of defeat. But you are 100% correct, do not lower
your prices... in fact, I think you should raise them. 30 years means something in this
business.
