When we get stumped!

[Joe Crumley]

Sometimes we all get stumped with Design.

It's happened to me many times. The first step in building a good sign starts with the design. To me, it's the most important step. When you hit a brick wall, send me a copy of your design. Perhaps I can offer a little help. I'm not offering to design signs from scratch. I'm offering to make suggestions to get a stalled project off high center. That could be layout, font, shape, ballance, etc.

Most sign artists don't know much about the elements and Principals of Deign. I see it all the time. As a art teacher, I'd be glad to give some limited assistance. If I get swamped I'll post the schedule. Since this is at No Charge, it could get out of hand. I'll post the response.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[jeff johnson]

Joe , I have followed a lot of your post. You truly are a great sign man, and you must love it to make such an offer. I am getting ready to go to work for a long time friend at his sign shop. He currently just does vinyl and small channel letters, nothing as far as carved stuff. I am bringing my cnc to the shop and will start using it in anyway we can. So far I have just used it to cut acrylic for his channel letters. I have been showing him some of your signs and we hope to push more of those type in the future. I will most certainly take you up on this offer if I need to. What kind of advice can you give a guy just starting in the business? Thanks.

Jeff Johnson

[Joe Crumley]

Jeff,

When I first became interested in purchasing a CNC, my good friend Mike Jackson, told me I'd be doing stuff I'd never imagined. Mike is a true master having lead the Letterhead movement into existance.

The Letterhead philosophy is to assist other sign artist develop their skills. The idea is it would bring new levers of quality work. Working together we can accomplish and learn better than going it alone. It's a movement of sharing.

As a Letterhead I'll do my best to point the way when ever I can. At my age I would likee to share what little knowledge I've acquired. It's important to know, there isn't a single answer to any design problem. That's what makes it so much fun. Feel free to ask and if I don't know the answer to your question, I'll say so. Building carved custom sign. as I do, isn't for everyone. Each of us has their own special gift. That's what you will have to discover. It's not easy but streatching, reaching out, beyond your comfort will pay dividends.

I say you guys should go for it. Look at sign books and other sign artists works that are outstanding. That can be your guide.

Joe Crumley
Norman Sign Company, Norman, Oklahoma, SandBlasted Signs, Sign Painter, Redwood Signs

[jeff johnson]

Here are a few sign I have made so far. They are far from where i want to be, but I know it takes lots of practice, and I have always enjoyed the journey I travel to get to a certain goal. In one of your post you say its good to copy a certain style untill you get good at it . I understand exactly because I play guitar and In order to get to the level I am at it took lots of practice and also role models to copy from. Joe, do you plan on anymore workshops in the future?
Jeff

[Joe Crumley]

Good for you Jeff,

I can tell by your photo's you're on the right path. It's just like practicing the guitar. Sketches are the key. Our mistakes can be worked out there.

For example, "Dominance" is one of the major elements of design. Which means, there should be one major area that leads the eye. Look over your favorite paintings, signs, sculputre, etc. and notice how the artists directs the eye from spot to spot. You're eye wants to start somewhere. That's the first job. "Dominance." Check out Norman Rockwell he was one of the best at it.

I don't have workshops planned at this time. In the past, I've limited these to a half dozen people. It's a good size however it's so expensive and time consuming I'll probably not continue them. They were electric and kept everyone charged up for a long time. What fun, but it wore everyone out. High energy will do that.

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com

[EBC]

Hey Joe,

Great to see you here on the "zone"

Gene

[Joe Crumley]

Gene

Thank you very much.

I hope this froum will become more active with sign fellows. There are plenty of creative sign artists with CNC's. It's been difficult directing them over here since the website is mainly technically oriented and it's huge. Fortunately we've been assigned a spot but it takes some searching to get here.

Hope to see more of your creative work. Perhaps we'll meet up somewhere down the trail.

Joe