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Design

Good design isn't just about making things look pretty – it's about solving business problems and creating signs that work. But even the best designs fall apart without proper file management and workflow systems. From managing customer artwork to designing for different sign types, mastering the technical and creative aspects of sign design can make or break your shop's efficiency and profitability.

The best Design articles, podcasts, and videos

Chill The F$&k Out // Dan Yoder of Sign Art Studio

In this episode, we're joined by Dan Yoder - the owner of Sign Art Studio, a killer sign shop with 30 people near Madison, Wisconsin. Dan has been in the industry since 2005 and gives us valuable insights on various topics such as the business and art side of the industry, the importance of systems and processes, hiring and managing employees, and more.##-##This episode is sponsored by:GCI Digital Imaging - Your partner for large/grand format trade printing. Known for their exceptional customer service, GCI Digital Imaging is the go-to for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics. Discover more in Episode #9 or visit https://gci-digital.com.##-##Key Points Discussed:- Dan's Origin Story: Dan has always been interested in art and fell in love with this craft early in his life. Making mistakes, learning from them, and growing forward continuously. He started his own business in 2005 and now has a team of about 30.- Team Management: Dan discusses Sign Art Studio, how he started the business, and how he tackled all of its problems. He tells us the structure of his team and how it works. He also shares the importance of Teamwork and how he manages his team to gain efficiency.- Hiring Question: Dan answered one of the most asked questions about hiring. He shares his thoughts on hiring somebody with no experience or someone with some signage experience.- Business and Art: We dive deep into this discussion where we all share our thoughts on the "Business" and "Art" side of the industry, which one has more importance, and how both can be managed.- Processes and Systems: We discuss processes and systems, layers of processes, flexibility with systems, having processes to set or change processes, and much more. Dan shares the Sign Art Studios' way of working and how they have set up their workflow.- Right Type of Clients: Working with the right type of clients is a different experience, as it is much more collaborative and engaging and brings out the best in everyone. Dan gives solid advice to shop owners on finding the right type of clients and shares how they qualify and classify their clients. - Dan's Podcast: Dan does his own Podcast, which you must listen to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m41OxFQbSPo##-##In this episode...00:00       Intro00:38       Sponsor02:28       Welcoming Dan05:30       Dan’s Journey09:55       Sign Art Studio16:50       Team management and working21:30       Hiring People25:30       Last 10-20 years of the industry32:20       Process of onboarding a new employee    36:00       Business and art47:40       Focus on Entrepreneurial Operating Systems55:25         Motive         01:04:30    Processes and System       01:26:30    Future for Dan01:29:05    Working with the right type of client01:35:30    Dan’s Podcast01:41:50    Rapid fire takeaways01:46:20    Outro##-##Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our exclusive Facebook group for shop owners and managers. Connect and learn from peers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind.

Podcast

Signs of Balance // Shane Durnford of Jayce Fox Studio

You’ve seen his work even if you didn’t know his name. Legendary sign crafter Shane Durnford joins us for a mindblowing conversation about our chosen craft. 🤯 Shane opens up about his personal experience with burnout. And he also shares invaluable advice for those looking to venture into high end signage – revealing a little bit about his secret sauce. Another can’t miss episode!---This episode is sponsored by:GCI Digital ImagingYour large/grand format trade printing partnerOwner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing old-school customer service. You can check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphicsLearn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com.---In this episode...00:00:00 Intro00:01:30 Catching up00:04:20 Bryant’s Appendix surgery 00:09:00 Guest intro00:13:00 Shane’s backstory00:16:10 First high-relief carving 00:17:25 Shane’s designs / Emotion and commerce00:24:00 Shane’s not a sign guy00:34:18 Stepping away from the industry00:41:10 Avoiding burnout00:50:15 Obsession to detail 00:56:25 Creative Process  01:07:45 Advice for sign shop 01:15:40 Future Plans01:19:29 What Shane wants to be remembered for01:24:07 Shane’s workshop01:27:02 Outro-##-##-Links from the ShowRecommended Books------The Old Way of Seeinghttps://www.amazon.com/Old-Way-Seeing-How-Back/dp/039574010X/Shane’s Work------It speaks for itself… Check out his websitehttps://jaycefoxstudios.com/environmental-sign-designShane’s Workshop------If you’re at all interested in furthering your design skills and becoming a better sign maker, check out the details and join Shane’s in-person workshop.https://jaycefoxstudios.com/sign-design-workshopOther Signmakers to Follow------Dirk Ramplinghttps://www.dirkssigns.com.au/Roger Coxhttps://houseofsignsco.com/carved-dimensional-signs-colorado/Dan Sawatzkyhttps://www.imaginationcorporation.com/attractions-##-##-Ready to systemize and scale your shop?Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind)-##-##-Want to follow the crusty sign guys?Bryant from Better Sign Shop- Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com- Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshopMichael from Letterbox Sign Design- Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/letterboxsigndesignPeter from Sign Shop Consulting- Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/-##-##-Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air? Reach out to us.

Podcast

Design Like Lives are at Stake // Dan Antonelli of KickCharge Creative

Industry legend – Dan Antonelli of KickCharge Creative joins us to talk about his new book Branded Not Blanded and to discuss why you're playing with fire if you're not educating your sign shop's customers on the importance of design and branding.Make sure you pick up a copy of Dan's latest book – Branded Not Blanded – at https://www.kickcharge.com/books/---This episode sponsored by:GCI Digital ImagingYour large / grand format trade printing partnerOwner T.J. Bedacht and his team focus on providing customer service the old-school way. Check out Episode #9 to see for yourself.  So if you're looking for a wholesale print provider for banners, coroplast signs, vehicle wraps, and other digitally printed graphics Learn more and place your first order at https://gci-digital.com---In this episode...- -- ---Ready to systemize and scale your shop?Start by creating your free account on the Better Sign Shop platform at https://my.bettersignshop.com/Are you a sign or print shop owner?Join the Better Sign Shop Community - our free Facebook group exclusively for shop owners and managers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bettersignshopmastermind/)---Want to follow the crusty sign guys?Bryant from Better Sign Shop- Better Sign Shop Website: https://www.bettersignshop.com- Better Sign Shop Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bettersignshop###Michael from Letterbox Sign Design- Letterbox Sign Design Website: https://www.letterboxsigndesign.com/- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Letterboxsigndesign###Peter from Sign Shop Consulting- Sign Shop Consulting Website: https://www.signshopconsulting.com/---Interested in being a guest on the show? Have questions you'd like to hear us answer on the air?Email us at hey@bettersignshop.com

Podcast