Second design challenge.

[SignManiac]

I'll post it today so that more people can participate if they need more time to play. Take all week if you want. No budget - blank check - full artistic license....

Task:

Design a free standing monument for a doctors office. Any shape or size.

Main Message below.

Pediatric Care Center
Walk In Clinic for infants, Children & Teens
Incorporate the street # 3541 somewhere on the sign.
Use any kind of appropriate graphic if you like.

Two doctors names:
Alfred E. Newman, M.D.
Dennis T. Mennis, M.D.

hours are Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm
phone number 555-666-7777



(REMEMBER TO TIME HOW LONG YOU PUT INTO IT and post the software you used) including tweaks before posting your final design.

Don't make this a race but lets see what you get based on the time you put in...

MOST IMPORTANT RULE, have fun:thankyou:

[SignManiac]

I'll get it started... 38 minutes done in CorelDraw X3 I used PhotoPaint and Alien effects textures to do the brick base. Tried to keep with kid friendly color scheme.

[p3]

I like it, and I like that its not all symetrical. The only thing that really doesn't float my boat is the hours and phone number. I don't think that necessarily needs the number and stuff since its a "walk in" clinic. lol I guess its just a made up deal, but seems like that info would be on the door or something.

[SignManiac]

That is an excellent point. Everyone else feel free to omit that information if you agree with P3. We need to realize that often its our job to edit the copy if we are to design the most effective sign for the customer. We're suppose to be the professionals so give your best expert advice to the client.

[Rick]

Reality would be...

Review Sign Code and Master Sign program - 1.0 hours
Review Survey and architecture - .5 - 1.0 hours
Logo and supporting materials - .5 - 1.0 hours
Design in presentation form for client review - 1.0 - 2.0 hours

This sign is a rejected design, so it took about 30 minutes in Illustrator W/CadTools

[Fatboy]

Took me 30 min. Corel draw:covereyes:

[SignManiac]

Nice design Rick, you ever think about writing a book :) I'm sure happy I don't often have to deal with all that reality stuff!

Fatboy nice effort! I like the heart concept...Good job.

[SignManiac]

I whipped up one more just to show how diverse the designs can run... This one also took about 30 minutes. Funny but when you're in the zone, the designs just appear out of thin air!

[Fatboy]

Very cool:clapping:

[SignManiac]

I apologize. I just went back and made a one minute tweak...changed the base to stone. My one fault is I'm never satisfied...

[Gino]

:Oops: Double post

[Gino]

Hummmm..... I think somebody was watching me.

49044
I did this in four and a half minutes. Photoshop without using clone tools, erasers or paint brushes. I was inspired by years of looking over shoulders................. :rock-n-roll:

[Day Sign Co]

This one is pretty boring roughly 45 min. in Corel.

[omgsideburns]

I never do dimensional signage so here goes.

Shapes, gradients, etc.. in Signlab, made presentable in photoshop.. maybe 40 minutes of actual work.

[SignManiac]

Both show lots of potential with a few minor tweaks. I'm pleasantly surprised at the variety of shapes you guys are coming up with. Nice change from squares and rectangles.

Good job on both and love your colors Gino!

[p3]

OMGSIDEBURNS - I like the idea on yours. Maybe change the red tho. Looks a lot like an emergency room rather than a walk in clinic lol. Ambulances racing to the actual hospital may turn in.

SignManiac - Like the second rendition a lot better. I like the colors along with the older style light, like colonial, you have on it.

Ive never done dimensional stuff so I'll stick to seeing whats done and critiquing hahaha.

[SignManiac]

As Rick points out, in the real world a lot of your design work will be dictated by other parameters. Building architecture, competing signs, permit restrictions and requirements, and a whole slew of other variables. Fortunately, we are free here to do whatever the hell we like :) These are the perfect jobs because we can call all the shots in our perfect little classroom !

[p3]

What would be cool is if we did these where it was like actual everyday jobs that one of us gets, with the source files we are givin to work with and the actual parameters. Because rarely are we givin the opportunity to do whatever we like hah. But to see how someone takes a certain set of "rules" and bends them to make them their own. Also would give different ideas on how to approach certain jobs to make our work stand out over someone elses.

[SignManiac]

I agree it would be cool but, I think it would limit the wide variety of designs which is kind of the point of this exercise. This is more to encourage thinking outside the box.

But...it might not be a bad idea to try one to see how that shakes out? P3 maybe you could put together the specs for it on the next design challenge? I'm up for anything personally. Its all good!

[HeathSignCompany]

Designed in Adobe Illustrator.
Layout 40 minutes

These challenges are fun and educational...I'm glad to see them back! Good work you Maniac.

Man, for some reason my colors are always so bright after I upload them?!

[SignManiac]

^^^^^ Now that's an original idea HeathCo. Gets your attention.

[CES020]

Heath, "Chidren"? Is this for an inner city sign? :covereyes:

[HeathSignCompany]

Heath, "Chidren"? Is this for an inner city sign? :covereyes:

LOL...I threw that in there to see if you all were paying attention...yeah that's it.

I should have spent 41 minutes and spell checked:doh:

[cgsigns_jamie]

Both show lots of potential with a few minor tweaks. I'm pleasantly surprised at the variety of shapes you guys are coming up with. Nice change from squares and rectangles.


Someone's got to be the Certified Rectangle Designer around here...

Quick and bland monument... took about 20-30min using Illustrator CS4 and CadTools

[SignManiac]

Wow! I hadn't even considered that direction. Guess that's why I've never sold an electronic message board. Nice integration Jamie!

[Gino]

UP-SELL that sucker !!

[cgsigns_jamie]

EMC's are our focus for 2010. We've sold 6 since October and hope to keep that momentum going. Every single customer we speak to we mention that we provide EMC's and give them some simple literature... gotta plant those seeds!

[luggnut]

jamie do you build those signs in house? not the emc but the whole monument?
man i would love to do some work like that, but i don't know where to start? the book rick suggested maybe?
i hope i won't always be a vinyl shop....

[cgsigns_jamie]

Yep... all in house. We build all of our signs out of aluminum. The only steel would be the support column (the steel pipe in the ground).

Rick recommended a bunch of great books that could help. I would suggest you find an electric sign shop and "hang around" the shop. Experience is the best teacher.

[SignManiac]

Hey Luggnut, you can design them yourself and outsource to a wholesale company. That's what I do with my custom cabinets. Just be sure to find a good one who is reliable and does good work.

I went through quite a few companies before finding one I was happy with. The same thing with EFIS foam monuments. These can be a good up sell and revenue stream so long as you learn the fundamentals.

[Farmboy]

Really nice work here!

[omgsideburns]

OMGSIDEBURNS - I like the idea on yours. Maybe change the red tho. Looks a lot like an emergency room rather than a walk in clinic lol. Ambulances racing to the actual hospital may turn in.

i was avoiding the kiddie fonts and crayola colors, and isn't it always an emergency when something is wrong with your kid (or pets)? :tongue:

[Jillbeans]

I copied and pasted the info yesterday so I wouldn't look at anyone else's ideas.
This was about 35 minutes in Corel.
I agree that there is way too much info on the sign but didn't know we were allowed to omit it.
I am not a builder, so I have no idea how this would go together. But the bottom layer would be a flat panel, the hearts painted.
heart at top is separate.
The part where the Drs names etc are is clear acrylic on standoffs with glass etch lettering.
Then the big black box. The lettering would be cut out out of it, with white lexan or some such behind and illuminated.
Probably totally impractical. A teen would die of embarrassment to have to walk into this place.
Love....Jill

[SignManiac]

Way cool and out there Jill. I don't see a problem with building this sign.

[HaroldDesign]

.75 hour in Illustrator. Never designed something like this. Thought it would be fun, and it was!

[T3]

Okay... here goes! This is WAY out of my comfort zone and I haven't a clue what I'm doing, but... I guess you gotta start somewhere!!!

Baby at the top will be a 3D object hooked to a motor to turn it!! :doh::ROFLMAO:
I know it sucks... but I had fun trying!
Illustrator... 1 hour!!! :banghead:

[omgsideburns]

okay... Here goes! This is way out of my comfort zone and i haven't a clue what i'm doing, but... I guess you gotta start somewhere!!!

Baby at the top will be a 3d object hooked to a motor to turn it!! :doh::roflmao:
I know it sucks... But i had fun trying!
Illustrator... 1 hour!!! :banghead:

help! That baby is gonna jump!

[SignManiac]

This is the whole point of this exercise. Stepping outside your comfort zone. If you never try, you will never learn. Besides, if you currently don't offer monument style signs, maybe you should? It's no different than the rest of this business. You learned to chop and print vinyl, why not add monuments to your repertoire. The more diverse you become the more you can do.

[cgsigns_jamie]

This is the whole point of this exercise. Stepping outside your comfort zone. If you never try, you will never learn. Besides, if you currently don't offer monument style signs, maybe you should? It's no different than the rest of this business. You learned to chop and print vinyl, why not add monuments to your repertoire. The more diverse you become the more you can do.

Just be sure the get a licensed contractor/sign company to handle the permits and install until you're fully licensed and insured yourself (if you choose to) :thumb:

[SignManiac]

True on that!

[Rick]

Here are 2 more from rejected presentations...

30 minutes for both... Illustrator/CadTools

[cgsigns_jamie]

Here are 2 more from rejected presentations...

30 minutes for both... Illustrator/CadTools

Rick, how do you get your spec circles solid black with CadTools?
Do you change each label individually after you've placed them?

[SignManiac]

Good looking presentations again Rick. Slick and professional looking.

[Rick]

Rick, how do you get your spec circles solid black with CadTools?
Do you change each label individually after you've placed them?

On presentation drawings I don't use CadTools labels because I like solid fills on the presentation drawings, since most of the initial presentations are placed in the environment (or I fake one) Underneath the labels, there is another with a thicker white stroke to cut through color backgrounds.

I occasionally use solid fills on detail drawings because sometimes there are a lot of intersecting lines. The solid fills sometimes makes it easier to decipher the labels/notes.

[Jillbeans]

Here's a tongue in cheek version.
About 20 minutes in Corel.

[T3]

Jill... you made me laugh... I love it!! Your tongue-in-cheek version would have taken me 3 hours... and that's IF I could even think up a brilliant design like that!!

All of you are simply amazing! It's inspiring me to really try and get some creative juices flowing! I'm not sure if creativity is something that can be taught or if it just comes natural.. :rolleyes: I have no problem looking at a layout or a sketch and creating it... but that just takes knowledge of a computer program. The work you do requires creative thought long before you even touch a keyboard or mouse! That's the part I'd love to have... even half of what you all have would be a good start!!! :notworthy::notworthy:

[cgsigns_jamie]

On presentation drawings I don't use CadTools labels because I like solid fills on the presentation drawings, since most of the initial presentations are placed in the environment (or I fake one) Underneath the labels, there is another with a thicker white stroke to cut through color backgrounds.

I occasionally use solid fills on detail drawings because sometimes there are a lot of intersecting lines. The solid fills sometimes makes it easier to decipher the labels/notes.

Thanks for the info Rick.

I've recently started using CadTools more and more for my drawings. I used to do all my drawings in FlexiSIGN and/or AutoCAD
CadTools for Illustrator kinda combines the best of both worlds.

[SignManiac]

Here's one more from scratch. 35 minutes with tweaks so far. Going for a more traditional look and feel.

[Peachtree Monuments]

If you are looking for a quality source to outsource your foamcore monument signs to... check out our company - www.foamcraft.info