At the risk of being nationalistic, so far the only image that makes sense to me to be a worthy candidate for an
Extreme Makeover is Marlene's American Legion...
The others, while in dire need of augmentation, fall short of any altruistic value. Of course, some could be fun, but it seems as though signs of that flavor are routinely discussed in the design/layout forums already.
The benefits that I see working with Marlene's example... or similar, are:
1) An organization like the American Legion exists throughout the US and may be fodder for other signmakers in different locations. (...and most of the members have some great stories that shouldn't be forgotten.)
2) This particular example is not confined by any one style of sign. It could be an MDO sign w/vinyl, Dimensional, Carved, Illuminated... pretty much the full spectrum of fabrication by the Signs101 population.
3) It can be as easy or demanding as one would like to make it. It can simply be an exercise in typography or pushed further to include any number of different elements.
4) This example allows for multiple categories of judging...
By sign style. Cheapo, Dimensional, Illuminated
or
By sign cost ...based on what the signmaker would realistically quote. $50 - $75 / $1000-$2000 / $3000 - $5000 etc..........
Further, to get a sense of how others present their work, I think it'd be interesting to see the assignment include specifications as each shop includes them in their usual method of proofing to customers ...with a real world quote.
Not that that I'm voting yet..... There's still a week to ride around town and find that deserving candidate for the
signs101 Extreme Makeover.
......but, that's what would interest me in this assignment, anyway.
