Readable Workshop Sign That Looks Woodworker Made
DonStephan
| Posted in General Discussion on
My workshop is on an urban commuter road with lots of traffic. I’d like to make a new two sided sign that’s easy to read but looks like a woodworker made it. Due to persistant winds, needs to be 4×8 (or so) trapped between 4×4 (or so) posts.
Present sign is a cross post with hanging painted MDO plywood. Very easy to read, but looks bland, bottom corners had to be secured with wires and deadmen.
Thought of large white oak or cedar T&G panel in frame for weather resistance. Carved letters would have to be painted to improve visibility. Same with applied letters. Neither necessarily says good woodworker.
Any thoughts?
Replies
thoughts of the random kind
How about raised, cut-out letters (in a classy font) that stand off from the surface of the panel? Depending on the orientation of the sign to the path of the sun, the resulting shadows could make the lettering easier to read.
I'm also envisioning a panel inside a frame, with the left and right edges inset into the posts. The post at one end could also be extended up, and a faux wrought iron "hanger" could be attached for more visual interest. The posts could also be carved to add some interest.
Here's your sign...
What type of woodworking is your focus? Have the sign reflect that work in its styling.
For instance: instead of simple post material holding a 4x8 sign, have the posts sandwiched between cutouts that reflect the shape of oversized cabriole legs (one example only). Connect the two "posts/legs" with a sturdy crossbar (4x4?) sandwiched between what might look like the skirtboard and trim of the end of a table. Build a tabletop (albeit a skinny one) on the top of the assembly.
Paint the posts white. Paint the "woodwork" to look like wood (color) - maybe even faux finish. Paint will hold up better than stain and clear finish outdoors and will communicate "what" you do.
Hang a signboard (inset smaller than the opening) between the legs - white background - with lettering that reflects the style of woodworking - serif and or script if you do ornate curvy woodwork -- sans serif, block if you do more shaker, craftsman style.
Most important thing is maintain proportion and scale and make it as big as you can fit in the space in your budget and in the zoning regulations in your area.
lookin' good in the neighborhood
If you do carved or routed out letters you might consider gold or silver leaf inside the letters...would really give it a classy look...of course you would have to protect it with lacquer or poly urethane...
Neil
Ideas
You could always veneer the surfaces of the lettering with a contrasting wood. That way, you still retain the authentic wood look without having to resort to paint. If you spent some time on this, I think you could utilize it throughout the sign to help with perspective and readability for your passing motorists.
I liked the idea of changing your sign design to properly express your style of woodworking, though if you're doing cabinet work or reproductions, this identity may be difficult to express.
You could also go old-school and put together a whirligig to add a little flair. That was always one of my favorite episodes of New Yankee Workshop and I promised myself that the day I get to have a stand-alone shop, the first thing I'm doing for it will be its own whirligig...
Just a few thoughts, hope they help!
Brent Prigge
Austin, TX
Good Suggestions!
Thanks for some excellent feedback. I added silhouettes in MDO of a #8 plane and a #4.5 over my current sign and in 5 months not a single comment! I hadn't thought of furniture silhouettes around the panel/posts, and that is a very good suggestion. I've seen carved signs locally and the lettering just doesn't stand out enough for passing car traffic to read, unless painted contrasting color, and at that point what's the added value from carving. Now if Cincinnati and the adjoining suburb would just stop temporarily closing streets . . .
Getting attention
I think everyone have given good ideas for getting attention and showing with symbols what you are about, but the most important thing in our fast paced (fast cars zooming by) world is a phone number or http://www.something.com that they will see and remember so they can Contact You. Otherwise I am afraid all the getting attention stuff will be forgotten in about 15 seconds by those passing motorists. For me put a sign that gets noticed, and then Bigger, put how they reach you!!
Robert.
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