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A few years back I hit a wall with my sign work and design skills. It didn't matter how passionate or dedicated I was to the craft my work was stale, rehashed and looked like it came out of the same box as the last - predictable. I knew I had reached the limit of my abilities and as a result no longer enjoyed my work. So I made plans and was accepted to university to become a teacher (hard to imagine now) It would have given me a steady paycheck and summers off to pursue my art interests. One of my customers was John Wiggins, a great designer, marketing whiz and entrepreneur. He had owned an ad agency in the city for years and started a brewery in his retirement. He convinced me to not throw away the eight years I had invested it the sign trade and specialize in premium sign work. With a promise to take me under is wing and tutor me in design / marketing. For the next five years I would visit him at the brewery with designs in hand for review and critique, it didn't matter what he was in the middle of, he'd set it aside and make time to tutor me on design, type, colour and marketing theory. He took me back to the basics and changed my entire thought process to design and the sign business . The genius was in the simplicity of his approach to design. It started me on a endless journey of discovery - I'll never be the designer I want to be but it'll be a great journey. Every design that leaves my studio is driven by this design process each one taking on a life of its own in which I'm just a spectator. Clients usually mention they are curious what I'm going to "come up with" I answer "me too". Some of my work and articles have been in Signcraft over the years and as a result we have had a few requests for workshops. One of them, Dave Gross was persistent with his requests - it made us get off our duffs and give it a whirl. They have been enjoyable - I've met some great people and kindred spirits. It's been satisfying to pass on what was generously given to me. They've been exhausting though, a fair bit of prep, switching gears and recovery time - sometimes up to a week [ especially after that last crew I had ] So one more at my studio in the spring, one in Hawaii and in Australia and pretty much call it quits on the workshop front . I need to continue with my own journey. So, if you are like I was, feeling stagnant, stale, stuck, frustrated and looking for a fresh outlook then you'll get a lot of value from these workshops. By taking the workshops on the road it allows them to be more accessible (especially for Aussies). For me, it gives me a chance to get out of dodge, see some beautiful country and present in a relaxed atmosphere free of distractions.
If the workshops have good attendance that would be great - a life experience. If they don't , that's OK too - it was never meant to be.
Here are a few of our signs for those not familiar
-------------------- 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: 3400 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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What a great story....and simply fantastic work. You set the bar extremely high for the rest of us.
I know what you mean by that stagnant feeling and not getting that much enjoyment out of it.
My son, Mike, keeps reminding me that all of our signs look alike. He gets great enjoyment out of pointing to your work and saying..."why can't we do something nice like that?"
OK...back to the drawing board.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 3757 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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When I signed up for your class Shane, I didn't really know what I was going to get out of it. I knew I loved your work and wanted to see how you approached things. I wasn't too sure what to expect.
Even after leaving the class I was a bit unsure of what the long term effects would be. I knew I was pumped and full of ideas. I knew I was looking at things in a very different way and I knew that there was a new confidence that I could make this all work on a higher level from the business end of things. I came into the class knowing that at that point there was a very good chance I would be leaving the sign business. Circumstances still may play those cards, but for the time being I am approaching my clients with a much more confident front and I'm looking at my work from a very different perspective. Growing always seems to come with growing pains, I'm feeling a lot of them right now, somehow, my confidence seems to be at an all time high and all time low at the same time. A years follow up is worth far more than the cost of the class itself, and I need to be utilizing that more.
I've thought about taking your class again for a few reasons. I'd be coming in with a better idea of what to expect and I think I would be much hungrier for more of the same. I was rather punk physically for a portion of the workshop and didn't manage to absorb as much as I could have. Being with people I have a lot of fun with was distracting, although wonderful. Despite those things, I think I have had great returns on my investment and I highly encourage others to give it a go.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 3686 | From: Holdfast, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Since Shane's, I find my self using a lot of "agency" terminology in my specifications and I avoid the use of the word sign as much as possible. As Shane would say your client is not buying a commodity from you. They're investing in an idea, a concept, an image, a functional piece of "art"... so much more than a sign. The shop down the road can make them a "sign", we can express the essence of their business, reveal their passion and draw people in to share it with them. Those that don't have the chance to stop will be struck by the images, and may well be back when they have the time. ... See Shane, I was paying attention, right? Edited to add... Maybe it was just the beer...mmmmmm Creemore Ale...
quote:Originally posted by Duncan Wilkie: Since Shane's, I find my self using a lot of "agency" terminology in my specifications and I avoid the use of the word sign as much as possible.
Customer = nice sale
Client = higher profit
Marketing Partner (Image Partner) = obscene amounts of money
Vocabulary, mindset, and ability! I’ve been able to see first hand over the last three months or so how a change in vision, approach, and attitude can create a paradigm shift never even imaginable prior.
-------------------- Bob Gilliland InKnowVative Communications Harrisburg PA, USA 717.564.7650
"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." Andrew Carnegie Posts: 580 | From: Harrisburg, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raymond I've had a great respect for you and your work for years as well. your opinion carries some weight.
Kelly, definitely take advantage of the year follow up, I have others making good use of it - it'll help set the hook. However it would be nice to see you in Creemore again ...Actually Maui would be nice.
Ahh grasshopper You where paying attention. Good to hear how it's made a difference. The beer was all part of the tools of learning - it was to relax and open your mind ....somewhat like LSD but better tasting.
I still haven't found any dog stickers, I've been looking.
posted
Okay Shane, I didn't say it would be easy. I'll guide you to one so you don't feel like I didn't care. On your bench in the lathe room. Take the batteries off your cordless drills, you should be rewarded.
posted
OK Shane, ...that did it!! I've been planning to sign up for one of your workshops but have been hesitating because of my obligations here. While I was admiring the pix you posted above, I realized that I need to rearrange my priorities (it's been quite awhile since I've done something for myself instead of just taking care of everyone else here)!!
So, ...I'll get my registration in & see you in Maui. (or, if Maui doesn't work out, Australia or Creemore) Thanks again for the inspiration!
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@att.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 652 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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bring your 'shoots' Chris! Have you ever heard of the Paniolo's? Hawaii had cowboys before any of the 49 contiguous states, because King Kamehameha brought some Mexican vaqueros here in 1832 after receiving a gift of 5 long horn steer 40 years earlier... anyway, the Paniolo culture is alive and well in the Makawao area, 5 mintues from my house, near the Rodeo grounds.
I do hope you can make it, as you are one of the many letterheads I've yet to meet, but hope to.
-------------------- Doug Allan iSign paradise Posts: 8057 | From: Kahului, HI, USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Hi Doug! Thanks for the link! I'd heard a little about the Paniolos (I didn't know what they were called but was aware of their vaquero heritage)and have always wanted to know more. My cousin & my uncle have spent quite a bit of time on the big island since they retired from farming several years ago. My cousin has been trying to talk me into coming over to visit but I've been a little reluctant since though he doesn't really need to worry about money, I'm not at that point yet. (also, I'm sure it's a nice place but I'm accustomed to having a little more "elbow room" than I thought a mountain top in the middle of the pacific could provide)
I'm looking forward to meeting you too! I really admire what you've accomplished over the last several years!
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@att.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 652 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Shane, glad to hear you are updating the website. I know you mentioned an increase in the responses you've been fielding & I have seen more interest since this post as well. I'd like to be able to direct inquiries to your website in addition to answering those questions that I can answer, but for the time being, I wanted to direct this question to you.
A recent email asks:
quote: If you can, please reply with additional information regarding schedule, cost, content, objectives, etc. If it is design focused it would be invaluable. If it focuses on carving, I'm not sure it would make sense for me.
I will send this excerpt from your spring workshop page, since you mentioned having the same curriculum, but if you would answer it in your own words here, that could be beneficial as well.
-------------------- Doug Allan iSign paradise Posts: 8057 | From: Kahului, HI, USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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