I want to learn more about Signmaking!!!

[smullen]

I'm starting to learn more about Plotters/Cutters and different types of vinyls and how the businesss works...


But, the more I look at you guys (and gals) work; I realize I lack the real skills that you all have in knowing how to design a great sign or logos...

I don't want to be a shop that just slaps some vinyl on a corplast or magnetic sheet and say, Heres yer signs..."" People can get that anywhere...

I'm starting to look on this as a real art...


So, I am looking at going back to school and taking some courses at the community college.

What classes would you all recomend?

Also, I do realize that just taking several courses does not make me an instant expert. Experience is also as important if not more...

I think its like that in most trades...

[OldPaint]

a better way to go about it is to find some older sign painter...one that can paint, and beg him to teach you......hehehehehe.
as for schools none of the so called "art" classes will teach you what you need for this type of art. this is a tpye of art that is more in touch with the moment...then being able to paint like picasso, or draw like divinci. the best people in this bussiness was the "carnival/circus painters" now they could do things that grabbed your attention. this is the key to a good a sign ....how well it will attract you to it.... or distract you from other visual things. always remember most signs are less then a 30 SECOND READ!!!!! what can you put on that sign that you can read and comprehend in less then 30 seconds.........and make people remember it!!!!! thats a good sign.

[Mikey]

I started in the sign biz. a few years before the computer did, when you actually had to do a layout or 10 different logo designs in pencil. In my opinion (kinda what OP was saying) go at it with a hands on. Drawing and sketching will get you further than just sitting down on the comp. and relying on it do a good layout for you. Get to know someone in the sign painting biz (but don't bug em')
and get to know what good layout really is. For me computer tech. is just a tool that sometimes I rely on too much, and in the long run it can really hold back my creative side. Don't get me wrong about using the comp. "I love it" but to do a nice layout, have it in your head first, and know what you want, then use your computer as a tool to reproduce it! Good luck! :thumb:

[jimdes]

But like OP said, they didn't do a lot for me. I still take classes from time to time and think they help quite a bit.

Searching the web in St. Louis, I notice you have a community college there that offers a degree in Graphic Design Commercial Art and Illustration. The program is like that of most community colleges, BASIC but I notice some nice electives that would benefit you even more . . . airbrush, cartooning, www design, typography, dimensional illustration, cool stuff!

You don't have to get a degree, take classes that you think you'll be interested in and that you feel you will benefit from. Talk with the instructor, find out their background and inform them of your needs. Discuss weather or not their class is for you and get their input on other classes that will help you. My Technical graphics teacher was a sign writer before becoming a teacher. He was a big influence in my choice of classes and I'm grateful for his input because it was so "on the mark" for what I needed.

I also took classes in Building construction, concrete, electricity, metal fabrication and welding. At the time I wasn't sure why, but now I'm thankful I did.