I think many people don't go to Letterhead meets because they are intimidated by the "brush People" and gigure that there is nothing for them there! So a Computer heavy meet will get them started.
Even dyed in the wool brush guys like me would love to learn more tricks with Corel, PhotoShop, Illustrator, etc.
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hey how did I get dragged into this? And the only people who know about me, Jane Fonda and my Jazzercise must be those peeking in the window (Mike Meyer). How do I look in a leotard, Meyer?
Jeff, I have 6,500 square feet of building (as you well know) if you want to co-op this 'thing' you want to do. You may need it if the crowd gets too big. With the router here at the shop AND the vinyl AND the access to paint, it could be a very good learning experience for many - and the chance to score a few tips for those of us who've learned ALL the disciplines of signmaking but are still hungry for more knowledge.
If you want to do it all yourself, I'll help that way also. (It's a lot of work - so be prepared to be down for about two weeks of labor just to get ready!!)
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jeff, As someone who works for a manufacturer who resently hosted a meet, given the right vendor, you could pull this off with great success. JSI for instance in Atlanta has most brands of plotters, printers and routers. As well as the more popular programs to run them. They have demos on the floor for use and can answer any questions that came up. There should be a distributor close to you that has a similar scope of equipment. You would just have to set the tone of the meet up front with the vendor to keep the purity of it intact. You would also have plenty of product sent to you by manfacturers to use as well. Good Luck! John M. P.S. If you ever want to see how dependent most of us are on our computers, just upplug them for 1 week.
-------------------- John P Meeks The Sign Shoppe, Inc. Everwood 200 Brozzini Ct. Greenville, SC 29615 864-275-5140 Posts: 44 | From: Greenville, SC | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I remember showing off Signlab v 2.2 to the guys at a Letterheads meet. I vividly remember those in attendance that busted my chops the most, Mike Sheehan and John Cox being two of them. I had recently written an article for Sign Biz with the theme "Sign Designers of the Future" and it was based on the prediction that the best designers now would soon be using computers to do the same type of work. I got beat up pretty bad but I was right. I told you so! neh neh neh neh neh neh.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Glad to hear of your interest. I'm certain we'll all gain from your meet. I'd like to offer out help in anyway I can. besides I just found out my brother is the new Monsanto Sales guru out of Dekalb. Ooohh. Dad's going be ****ed he's going to have a flatlander for a son...haha just kidding of course
-------------------- Matthew Rolli AdCraft Sign&Design Hudson, WI Posts: 280 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hiya Jeff, I think it's a great idea too. But the logistics can be challenging. From a letterhead point of view, I could see a meet like this being focused on a program or 2 like Corel and Illustrator and perhaps touch a little on plotters. The rest of the event can be geared towards large format installations, using vinyl as paint masks, or airbrush cool vinyl effects using spray bombs, etc. At the same time, you can offer an introduction to brush basics and things to encourage us vinyl jockies to pick up a brush and learn about proper selection, use and care of a brush. A full weekend of vinyl would get boring to me. So I would like to see a nice mix of both and top it off with some digital printing basics too
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
HI Jeff, Where in Illinois is Belvidere? Sounds like a Chicago suburb! Hey I think a Techno-meet would be great!! I too would love to learn more ways to use the computer that would help me make signs more efficently and creatively. I have painted signs, airbrushed and constructed before the computer and as most of us, use the computer as our main tool now. When I saw my first graduated fade on a sign layout on the computer I thought "How cool is that!?!" Now with digital printing, I can get the same effect like my airbrush and do it a lot faster! I still love my airbrush, but hey, this is business.
There is a place for every tool in the sign business and the computer is a great tool. I would like to see anyone who is using SignLab 7 show me their tricks and shortcuts. I used to sell sign-making software in St. Louis when it first took off around 1990. Flexisign, SignLab, and Casmate were the big guns and I learned them all. I am still learning everyday. Name the place and time and you will be amazed how many of us here in the midwest will show up! I am down here 30 miles northeast of St. Louis so let me know if you need any help. Looking forward to my first meet... How about Labor Day weekend? Just a suggestion. Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
We’re already getting cranked up about this meet!
This is a for what it’s worth message.
The building that housed our local news paper for several years is being sold. The day before I asked about the interest in a meet of this kind I went to look and some of the remaining stuff left after an auction there...and bought a few things.
The day after bringing up this meet I went back and talked to the owner and he has donated any of the stuff left in the building that could possibly be of use for this meet. There are desks, tables, chairs, (office type and others) all kinds of computers (PC & Mac) and miscellaneous computer accessories (granted the puters are probably obsolete but some of it I can see as useful!)
I then contacted a u-store facility that we do work for and he has donated a place to store any of this stuff until needed!
The thing that I’m most cranked up about is I get to brag about my nephew (Mike) that is going to be a TREMENDOUS help on this whole thing.
I’m admittedly not very computer literate. He tolerates me well!
I want to give you a little background because he’s going to be instrumental in pulling off the technical part of this meet.
Mike just finished his junior year at MSOE (Milwaukee School of Engineering is ranked 5th in the country for CE)
He is majoring in both computer engineering and software engineering, (which from what I understand isn’t all that common) and will have at least one minor. (Mathematics)
This past year he earned 19 credits in each of the three semesters. While school is in session he also works as a UNIX administrator in IT maintaining the schools 31 servers. He’s only the second student to hold that position in the schools history.
Needless to say this is one computer smart kid! Just a little more insight...if you come to this meet...don’t be looking for the “nerd” with a pocket protector...when he was 16 he set (the then) world record for bench pressing and was a standout fullback in high school!
Ok I’ll take a break now from bragging/praising. Other than to say Mike was here over the weekend and has his gears turning...he brought in some switch thing that would enable us to have up to 144 computers connect so everyone could see what was going on on there own monitor. He said he can make all the Ethernet cables we would need.
I know it’s too early to know what the exact setup will be but it’s going to be VERY nice having Mike on the team!
THANKS MIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Jeff
-------------------- Jeff's Lettering Lisa,Luke,Dara, and Jeff Spradling 5742 Shattuck Rd. Belvidere, Il. 61008 815-544-0167
Surviving another day. Posts: 626 | From: Belvidere, IL USA | Registered: Jul 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sounds GREAT, Jeff! We will all be waiting to hear more as you progress.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
The other post on here with the vintage signs reminded me....THAT would be a field trip I think EVERYONE would like to see. See if you can convince that guy to give a few guided tours of that place!! And SIGN US UP!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
![[Bash]](graemlins/bash.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic