Signs of the Times - July 2012 - (Page 58)

By Print or By Paint Whether done new- or old-school, murals captivate. By Steve Aust Across several ancient cultures, muralscaves, Tibet’scommon denominator. served as a Whether adorning France’s Lascaux Tholing monastery or the Mayan pyramids, these gargantuan tableaus from millennia gone by provided intriguing insights into the daily lives of these societies’ inhabitants. In Xultún’s remains (an ancient Mayan civilization within modern-day Guatemala that’s been largely untouched by archaeologists and treasure-seekers), a mural was found that contradicts other Mayan calendars that predicted an apocalypse (or epic event, depends on who’s interpreting) on December 21 of this year (we’re saved!). Wisecracks aside, murals, the ultimate grand-format art form, compel. In an era when many are held captive by mobile devices, they provide a subtle – or, in some cases, unabashedly overt – enticement to look up and admire artwork. The result: Shared Experience and Connection 1, Cocooning 0. While still prominent in the public-art realm (among the approximately 30 Google Alerts I receive, murals are almost invariably the most heavily populated subject), they’re increasingly utilized for commercial and architectural applications. Hand-rendered productions persist because supersized artwork still fascinates. However, digitally printed applications have become increasingly commonplace. This evolution is accelerating, largely due to advances with digital-printing inks, media, printers, RIPs, etc., which have aligned to create hyper-realistic graphics that captivate viewers at close range. We humbly present the best of both worlds – the brush and the printhead coexist as apt conveyors of this tradition. 58 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / JULY 2012 / www.signweb.com Watch Your Step The management of Laughlin Constable’s (a full-service ad agency in business since 1976) Chicago office understands the importance of perception. When a prospect – or, for that matter, an established client – walks into their office, they must believe the firm’s staff will execute a compelling campaign from concept through completion. And, a colorfully designed atmosphere inspires a creatively inclined staff more effectively than gray, bare walls and carpet. Consequently, Laughlin Constable executives cast a downward glance and chose to develop an approximately 3,000-sq.-ft. floor mural. Chris Metcalf, an illustrator for the firm, crafted a novel design that Mark Drewek, Laughlin’s creative director, refers to as an “exaggerated tattoo” with an emphasis on Asian imagery, such as the koi fish. He digitized his initial hand sketches and http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - July 2012

Signs of the Times - June 2012
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
The Moving Message
Technology Review
Technology Review
Vehicle Graphics Contest Extension
New Products
The American Sign Museum Opens!
An Electric-Sign Company Snapshot
By Print or by Paint
Extreme Installs
Lessons for the Boss
The Value of Signs
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - July 2012