New shop sign

[dvmike]

Finally got time to finish it up!
Honest opinions please.


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[rej]

honest?
ok
love the paint job, don't like the agm placement, and i'm not big on the solid white phone numbers,
but over all pretty good.
others here are much more qualified than i am, but i think it just needs tweaked a little.

[dvmike]

honest?
ok
love the paint job, don't like the agm placement, and i'm not big on the solid white phone numbers,
but over all pretty good.
others here are much more qualified than i am, but i think it just needs tweaked a little.
Thanks for the honesty. I use opinions as a way to get better.

[chiloquinruss]

I really like the split look of the main body and the phone number very cool. I also really love the rock work with the offset piles, looks great.

I agree about the AGM but I think its the use of three different fonts for the three different elements, the AGM, the 'Signs' and then the phone number. I also agree a little more contrast behind the phone number would make the numbers pop a little more. Russ

[myxpykalix]

Mike if you ask 100 people for opinions you will get 100 different opinions none wrong but subjectively different based on their "eye".

And opinions are like A-holes everyone has one! lol

So my subjective opinion, based on no real experiece is in the brown "ground area" it looks a bit empty but that may have more to do with the subject of the sign (ground maintainance) so we don't want to convey clutter for sure.

The handpainted look, looks great, overall i think you did a fantastic job.

[tuck]

The substrate looks like HDU. Is it? If so, did you use backer boards? HDU hung between post by itself is not good. Please tell me you laminated some MDO plywood or something similar behind the HDU panels so I can sleep well.;)

[gene]

Personally i like signs that generate buisness . If someone needs a sign and are driving past i think they will call. While others dont like the letter placement , it still gets the point across that you do signs, contrasting colors do make things jump out more like was mentioned about the phone number, so take notes and progress from here. I must admire your courage in asking this bunch their opinion.an opinion is Just like a butt everyone has one and most of them stink.:eek:

[myxpykalix]

an opinion is Just like a butt everyone has one and most of them stink.:eek:

Now Gene I was at least trying to be diplomatic when i said something similar but frankly you are right...lol

[gene]

Jack, I cleaned it up so it wouldnt be so bad. I'm getting softer in my old age.

[JohnG]

Did you build the stone monument? How about the timbers? Was wondering if this was an existing structure? Sweet!!!

Now for my honest opinion.....
The painting is pretty nice....a lot better than I would have done. I'll give you a 9.5
The "AGM" and the word "Signs" are fighting each other. If I were driving by, I would be puzzled looking at it. I would be so intent wondering why the agm is slanted (does it mean something?), that "Signs" may not even register that your a sign shop.

One other thing I noticed.....your phone# panels don't line up. That should have been an easy fix. If I were a customer, I wouldn't be happy with that part of the job.

This is a quickie (not great by any means), but not as confusing.

[GlenP]

Here is a little trick to see if things that are to be noticed get noticed. Squint your eyes at the sign or screen. The sign with white letters is not popping out but the dark letters pop. With white letters on a light background I try to but a outline or shadow in a dark colour to give contrast. I do agree with John's layout but I would lower the word signs and put in on top of the main oval sign so you can see more of the background graphic. And a dark shadow line. I think it was Joe Crumley you told me the squint thing for seeing "negative space" on your sign. I think the sign looks great but just some tweaking for next version or ?? Bottom line is if it brings work in the door it is doing its job. I like the stone work as well. :) By the way I like to cool old truck in the background....is it yours Mike? If it is man lets get some side rail done up for that baby. Old trucks look cool with a nice wood side panel on the box. Just like great grampa had.:cool:

[joe]

Perhaps we should get back to the fundamentals of design.

The attached sign comes from Hassan Sign. It demonstrates the first and most important element of design which is Dominance. Notice how ledgable it is because it conforms. It's necessary to have one entry focal point. Which means it directs your eye to the most important part.

The Elements of Design is the yardstick by which we build good layouts.

[kevin]

Joe its nice to see you posting I hang on to every word Thanks

I have my first paying sign will post Tuesday

Ps . I don't mean to highjack

[JohnG]

I do agree with John's layout but I would lower the word signs and put in on top of the main oval sign so you can see more of the background graphic. :

Personally I would lose the background all together. Keep it simple....you can add a little flair, or accents but don't let it dominate your sign.

[dakers]

Mike, looking at the overall structure as a whole i think it gives me the impression that you are very capable making large dimensional identification signs that are full of flavor.
We always try to make the signs resonate somehow with the building if possible by using design elements from the building. So that means that i do not always like the design elements but feel like i am successful if the sign looks like it resonates with the building, customer, environment. That means that i may have to throw out my personal aesthetics at times.

on the negative side the sign on top looks like an afterthought but then you have budget issues, zoning issues, etc. sometimes you just have to do what is practical.

[myxpykalix]

This is a good exercise in "constructive criticism" but it looks to me like the sign is already done and isn't likely to be changed.
But I know i learn something good anytime Joe chimes in with one of his "pearls of wisdom":D

[rcnewcomb]

This is a good exercise in "constructive criticism" but it looks to me like the sign is already done
I've been thinking about re-doing our shop sign so I'm definitely paying attention. :)

[dvmike]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions ! Really !
Constructive criticism is what I really need .

To give some background:
The timber frame was made of 1"x2" spruce. I stained it dark walnut and then applied 3 coats of antique,low luster urathane.
The beams are built in a box form and then more boards added to give it a more beefy look.
The stone work was a peice of cake.
I ran direct burial cable to the structure and through the stone and have since added spotlights.
I will be repainting the AGM and the word signs per suggestions I received here.
The HDU is backed by Lexan .
Thanks guys !

[tuck]

The HDU is backed by Lexan .


:) Lexan is a good thing!