Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 56
Sign Painters: The Real Story
Through the years, numerous books have focused on sign design or sign-fabrication techniques. Mike Stevens’ Mastering Layout has remained a popular title for generations of signmakers looking for a fundamental understanding of how to design compelling signage, and Getting Started in the Sign Business, which was compiled by ST’s editors, provides a basic template for how those new to the industry can grow their shop. However, far too few books have been written about signmakers and their techniques. It’s a travesty that professionals in our industry aren’t given due credit. Being a proficient signmaker requires knowledge of design, architecture, city planning, woodworking, engineering and many other disciplines. Yet, signmakers just aren’t given the same reverence as fine artists and architects. I’d love to hear about the first time an architect drafts a blueprint and gives it away free to a would-be client just looking “for an idea.” Thankfully, a pair of artists rectified this wrong with Sign Painters (Princeton Architectural Press, www. papress.com, 184 pages, paperback, $24.95), a simple, unpretentious – putting on airs would be out of character for signmakers – book that profiles 24 signmakers or shops who still uphold the traditional craft of painting and/or gilding signage. Faythe Levine, a Milwaukeebased artist, museum curator and photographer, and Sam Macon, who was born in Milwaukee and currently lives in Chicago, also created a companion documentary. “We pretty much worked hand-in-hand putting the book together,” Macon said. “Our interview style is very conversational, and we both asked a lot of questions while we were shooting. We literally sat right next to
each other on a shared computer to ensure that book chapters [each chapter profiles an individual signpainter or shop] retained a sense of the individual subject’s personality while communicating larger aspects of the trade.” Levine, who’s worked as a full-time artist for the past eight years, serves as curator of Milwaukee’s Sky High Gallery and coordinates the Brew City’s Art vs. Craft art fair, said, “My relationship with signmakers has spanned 15 years. I grew up with a small group of friends who wanted to work with Phil Vandervaart [a Minneapolis signpainter who’s profiled in this book] in hopes of
All photos from Sign Painters, courtesy of Margaret Rogalski, PA Press
56 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / DECEMBER 2012 / www.signweb.com
http://www.papress.com
http://www.papress.com
http://www.signweb.com
Signs of the Times - December 2012
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - December 2012
Signs of the Times - December 2012
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review
Technology Review
Sign Museum News
New Products
The Craft Endures
The 2012 Lighting Survey
USSC’s Pin-ups
Digital-print Update
The Value of Signs
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Intro
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Signs of the Times - December 2012
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Cover2
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 1
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Contents
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 3
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 4
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 5
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - ST Update
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 7
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Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 10
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 11
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 12
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 13
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Technology Update
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 15
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 16
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 17
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Vinyl Apps
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 19
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 20
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 21
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Strictly Electric
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 23
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 24
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 25
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - LED Update
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 27
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 28
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 29
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Software Update
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 31
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 32
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 33
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Technology Review
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 35
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Technology Review
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 37
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Sign Museum News
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 39
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - New Products
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 41
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 42
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 43
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Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 51
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - The Craft Endures
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 53
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 54
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 55
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 56
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 57
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - The 2012 Lighting Survey
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 59
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 60
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 61
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 62
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 63
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - USSC’s Pin-ups
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 65
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Digital-print Update
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 67
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 68
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - The Value of Signs
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 70
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 71
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 72
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 73
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Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 93
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - 94
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Advertising Index
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Editorially Speaking
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Cover3
Signs of the Times - December 2012 - Cover4
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