Another apartment job...thought I would challenge myself again and incorporate a landscape painting for the second time ever...here are 2 separate but similar landscapes from my imagination...each landscape has 2 versions...I plan on using cutout hdu letters...raised hdu borders...mdo board for the landscapes...and using smart board for the 2 versions using a paneled background.
Wondering if you guys have a preference of the 4 and if you have any suggestions or prefences on materials that may differ from what I have described...thanks
You may have to increase picture size a little as I wanted all 4 to be seen together.
[ February 06, 2013, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
No. 1....Hands down!
P.S.----You are welcome !
[ February 06, 2013, 07:22 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Hi Rusty,I Like #1 with the sunset/sunrise scene) altough I would move the Creekstone lettering down a bit so they are totally surrounded by the black (will read & pop better)... # 4, for the day light landscape.
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
The sign with the small picture. Easier for the customer to maintain. You might not be the next sign guy called to refurbish it, and he might convince them to scrap the whole thing for a white background with dark red letters on top of a black shadow! Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
What Pat said.
They all look great!
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Rusty I am partial to the Cooler day palette myself. I do like #3 but lower the text so we do not have a visual conflict with the painting...These are Stunning. What medium will you employ for the pictorial?
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
#1
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
#1 and maybe trim the foliage a little. Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
These are so nice I wouldn't mind hanging them up in my living room. I vote for #1 and agree with moving the text down to eliminate some of the blank space between the icons.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
I like all of them, but the bottom two most. I'm a big fan of negative space, but the space underneath the lettering is forced by the equal housing icons. I wonder what it would look like to make the bottom border thick enough to allow those icons there. Then you could drop the copy down a few inches and still have plenty of negative space to force the eyes to the copy.
I can see it in my head. But, does my explanation make sense?
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Beautiful and unique designs, Rusty. I ditto Pat's comments.....
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Thanks...I do appreciate the suggestions...when I get some time tommorrow I'll work on them...if something works well I'll post it...I am aware that there is some visual conflict created by the overlapping of elements...especially on #3...but not as much on #1...I raised the lettering as much as I could on purpose for fear that I was creating a composition too top heavy and out of balance...also I was hoping that the shadows created by the dimensioanl letters would compensate somewhat for the overlapping problem and also thought I could tweek the shading as needed behind the letters in the painting process to help...I'm encouraged to try dropping the letters now that several have suggested it...thanks
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Rusty, number 1 is my favorite. It is so realistic. Your pictorial tells me you should do much more, it is truly beautiful. The whole effect looks like if you change anything, you will spoil it. The customer will be very lucky to get such quality work.
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Rusty, after some thought # 4 is proving to be my favorite. It is cleaner and the Painting looks like it belongs as a part of the composition rather than a background. Also when any maintanance needs to be done you might be glad that the pictorial could be removed and worked on seperately rather than having all of your eggs in one basket. It just looks more like a sign...A fantastically executed sign.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Rusty,
Stick to No. 1 !!.......You are on the right track.
Do not compromise the quality of your beautiful work by thinking that, in the future, the sign will need "maintenance" and you need to plan, now, for when it happens......because you are certain, that the customer is going to call you, then, to provide the maintenance for the sign that you made 10 years before........Yeah, right !.....Listen to the voices, Rusty.
If it happens, that the sign, eventually, will need maintenance.....you will, probably, be too old, by then, to carry out the task.......Be realistic, brother.......Listen to the voices !
[ February 07, 2013, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Vance Galliher (Member # 581) on :
rusty, your work is outstanding ! my choice is #2, but i would suggest leaving the main bkdg panel plain (not ribbed) and of the darkest value as in #3.
[ February 07, 2013, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Vance Galliher ]
Posted by Joy Kjer (Member # 3026) on :
I prefer #2 & #4 for an entrance sign. When the pictorial is in it's own frame and the copy is separate it somehow makes more sense as a sign to me. Do those two symbols have to command so much space? They seem to throw the layout off so much. Could they be mounted on one of the columns stacked as if a couple of plaques?
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Joy...you make very good points...interestingly I designed the smaller framed pictorial signs #2 and #4 first...only later as an afterthought did I have the idea about making the pictorials encompass the whole background and superimposing dimensional letters on top...if I could pull it off...I feel #1 would have the most dramatic effect...however both of the big pictorials are risky and would be hard for me to do...the smaller pictorials are safer yet still work well...but I want to remain open and listen to the ideas and suggestions of others here in Letterville whose opinions I hold in high regard...my real preference might not be the most practical...and who knows...the client might not want to go the extra mile and pay for something with this kind of flair anyway...this all could be a moot point.
As far as the symbols...again you make a good point...I tried the very thing you suggested once before but the people in charge of that project were afraid it would not meet the code requirements because they were not directly on the sign itself...but seems to me like it would be a part of the sign anyway...that is something I might suggest to these new guys and see how it flies.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
For what it's worth, I put the handicap/equal icons on the posts of a fairly large freestanding bank sign here in Huntsville. TN and AL will be different rules, but just as likely the same.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Ricardo...so that's what I'm hearing...and all along I thought it was the battery going out in my hearing aid...just joking Ricardo...I know exactly what you mean and thanks for the vote of confidence.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Rusty,
I worked close to your home town, ( in Tenn. ) for two years, and did and re-did a lot of real estate and entrance signs, for apartment complexes ( for another sign shop ) in that area.....I remember "the topic" on The Handicapped and Equal Housing Opportunity logos, coming up on several occasions, and I think that you are correct in saying that you are required to have those two logos on the face of this type of sign, to be able to meet the code requirements......Better to be safe than sorry.
P.S. - Just to be on the safe side, make sure you charge the batteries of your hearing aid, SO YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICES....can you hear me, now?.
[ February 07, 2013, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Here is #1 with the lettering dropped...the original is on the left...at first glance it is hard to tell there is much difference...which is good...but notice the location of the top of the "k" and the narrowing of the black negative space under "Creekstone" in the revised version...so whatcha think sign people...door #1 or door #2. Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
[ February 08, 2013, 01:25 AM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Bob...I hear what you and Joy are saying and #4 is coming in a close second with me...you guys make valid points...it does seem however that most people prefer #1...it's my favorite as well...I think it's the colors...however I'm still pondering the pros and cons...something like this I never give the customer an option...I only show the one I want to make.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Rusty,
I still like No.1, because if you bring the name of the complex down ( No. 2 ), you are bringing it too close to the logos of Handicapped and Equal Housing Opportunity...and making the sign look, kinda, heavy on the bottom.....On the other hand, by leaving the name of the complex where it was.. ( No. 1 ), you are creating more negative space around it ( including, also, the top area of the name ), thus making it more pleasant to read.....I think.
Now, to more important matters......I hope you do realize and, also, appreciate the effort and years of practice that I have put into my accent ( over 75 years, now ) to sound like this ( I still can't figure out how you know I have an accent....unless you were just born prejudiced and no one has ever told you, yet. ).....
Anyway,that accent, like you choose to call it, in such a condescending manner, has taken me to many places that you, without an accent, can only dream about visiting....and I don't mean countries. That is why I love my accent, so much.
Good luck with your sign project, Rusty....Don't ever stop listening to the voices......You know we love you in Oklahoma.
[ February 07, 2013, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Oh Ricardo...what I failed to mention was that many people find accents quite sexy. ...and yes you probably have visited places I have only dreamed of thanks to your alluring accent...wait...I think I'm hearing the voices again.
[ February 07, 2013, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Check, please.....Good night !
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
I like #2 but that black area on the bottom is still a bit "empty" looking. Could you add some small text like "Apartments" to take up the space?
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
#2
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
#2
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
A couple of more versions inspired from suggestions by Don and Jean.
[ February 08, 2013, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
I've been following this thread and I like the version you have here. I would go with the Appartments on a raised panel which would give you some balance with the raised lettering.
Did you say if the letters will be gilded? or painted?
You also mentioned about a shadow effect from the raised letters.......there won't be any visible shadows on a black/dark background. FWIW.....when I sell a sign with a black background, I tell the customer the shadow is free.
Love all your work!
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Those 2 versions look even better. I like them both equally.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Rusty,
I'm always enthralled by your designs. I like the handicap and equal housing symbols in the border. The only suggestion I'd have for your latest designs is to center "APARTMENTS" in that bottom border. To me, it's too high.
I've done many apartment signs over the years and have done something similar to your bottom design a number of times--make the top two thirds or so with recessed background and raised copy and the bottom section a wide border with raised background and recessed copy.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
[ February 08, 2013, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
I can't tell you how helpful the input from you guys has been...I think I got so involved in painting landscapes that I lost something in the process about sign design...the fresh perspective of new eyes brought to my attention basic things that I was looking right past...I needed fresh input to help me see my mistakes...thanks to everyone' help I'm leaving with something better than I initially brought...of the last 2 versions...of which I feel really good about...my personal favorite would be the top one...and yes David..."Apartments" got way too high in the process...that was just a slip and not intentional but thanks for noticing...it would not have built that way...you guys are the best...with the talented resources here in Letterville...you bet "I'll be back" for more help in the future...thanks again to everyone.
[ February 08, 2013, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Rusty you've found the best of both views. Well done.
Posted by Joy Kjer (Member # 3026) on :
Rusty, I knew anything you ended up with would be awesome! I admire your work so much that I was hesitant to comment on it at all. Those both look great.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Number 1 of your latest versions is fantastic. I'm a big fan of your work, Rusty.
I struggle with colour. Your work with colour always gives me a feeling of calm and serenity.
Thank you for sharing your designs with us.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Rusty,
You have done it, again!...You out-did yourself !
Tremendous suggestion by Jean, on adding the word "APARTMENTS" !.....and, also great suggestion by Don Coplen, on placing the logos of Handicapped and Equal Opportunity, on the bottom, outside of your painting.....Fantastic !
I like the word "APARTMENTS" ON the raised panel....Looks great !
P.S.---- See what happens when you listen to the voices ?
[ February 09, 2013, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
A last look...thanks for the help guys...it's now up to the customer...will he pay for it...or will he only pay for bright red vinyl letters with a drop shadow on a white background...if so I still had fun designing it and will have a great design for someone in the future who might appreciate it more. and yes Ricardo...those were great suggestions by Jean, Joy, Don, and everyone else who contributed...but what do you think I pay them for...to sit around and play on the internet all day.
[ February 09, 2013, 11:56 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Original #4. Above #2 !
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Well played around and came up with a new daytime scene over the weekend so thought I would post it...had lots of fun...the new one is on the right. Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Woooo! Eye candy! I like the new one.
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Rusty that's real good. Take my advice stop now. I suspect that you are going past your designing budget and spending your own money.
It is amazing and better that good enough.
[ February 12, 2013, 09:32 AM: Message edited by: Bob Sauls ]
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Bob...I'm just playing around...this is more for my own enjoyment...this is one of the perks that comes with retirement...although I need to augment my ss with some extra income...I don't feel pressured by any design budgets and such...I pretty much work on what I want and occasionally even try to challenge myself.
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Well that's a horse of a different color. That's how we play the day away in the merry old land of Oz.
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Where's the like button? Nice Rusty.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Rusty - I've always been a fan of #2..... and this case is no different. I really like your #2 revision above.
I'd still love to sit down and watch you paint and illustrate. Your sheer illustrative talents always amaze me.... sublimely beautiful.
Nice work and always a fantastic presentation.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Gorgeous! And I really loved them all so I forced myself to choose my gut instinct one before reading the replies. It was #4.
To me that one separated the info moreso than blending it. My eye grabbed the title rather than the entire thing, causing my eye to dart around. #4 is an easy read and is gorgeous all the same.
While I loved the warm tones of the other photo, #4 offered a highlight for my eye to grab. The brightness of the sky grabbed me quicker than the sunset.
For what it's worth!
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
I just saw your two revisions... wow. Still drawn to the cloudy one (I think I'm drawn to it for the daylight aspect) but they are both winners!
[ February 15, 2013, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
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I vote for #1 and agree with moving the text down to eliminate some of the blank space between the icons.
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