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matthewota

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Posts posted by matthewota

  1. On 5/23/2020 at 10:50 PM, Sharon Toji said:

    I don't think it is just Signs and Digital Graphics. The engraving magazine has also been closed down, I think, and they have replaced everything with one publication or maybe newsletter that will cover everything from signs, digital graphics, awards and engraving and stuff like embroidery machines, etc. It's a disappointment to me. S&DG originally had me write their articles on ADA Signs and appointed me as their "Expert" but when I couldn't any longer afford to have a booth at the NBM Show, they dropped me, although i was still listed as their resident "Expert." I had a real fondness for that magazine, since I wrote my very first ADA article for them back in 1992 when they were called "Sign Business" and that really began my career as an ADA sign "expert." I used to write for Signs of the Times, but they pretty much dropped me when I broke with ISA. However, Awards and Engraving Magazine still had me write articles once in a while, and paid me a small stipend for each article, which was welcome. Now, I don't expect to see many ADA items in the new "one size fits all" magazine, which might be on-line only as far as I know. I am getting it on line, and it's mostly just small blurbs about advertisers that pass as articles. 

    Sharon: Lets start an ADA sign magazine!

     

  2. Well we can take solace in the fact that there is a market for COVID-19 pandemic related visual communications and protective gear. Floor spacing decals, POP signs,  (one per custormer, etc.) and exterior "Wait in Line Here" signs. You can get an idea by just looking at all of the handmade signs in the stores and replace them with professional signage.  Acrylic shielding. Acrylic boxes for ATM keyboards.Signs for buses and trains...etc. etc...

     

  3. First of all I want to say I have infinite respect and admiration for professional sign installers, for theirs is the most dangerous job in the sign industry.

    As for the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt I was immune to it as I already work from home and can socially isolate myself.  However, government mandates have occurred in states where I have valued clients.
    They have had to altogether shut down or curtail operations, meaning the amount of work in my inbox has slowed to a crawl.

    I hope that this pandemic will be over soon so we can all resume our jobs and get back to work.

    Sincerely,
    Matthew Ota
    Architectural & Electrical Sign Designer
    since 1993

  4. I am a self-employed Architectural & Electrical Sign designer that telecommutes from home, coffee shops and libraries. I use a "mobile office" A.K.A a laptop compute to do all of my work.
    For now, I am restricting myself to just working from home, as the library and the coffee shops are closed
    As long as the internet is running, I can do my work from my end.
    However, my clients in California are now under orders form the state government that their brick and mortar manufacturing facilities and offices are closed as of today.
    I can work as usual by sending and receiving information via email, but since there is no accounting, it is doubtful that I will be getting payment on open invoices. This really hurts me financially as I had a three month drought in work this past winter. Cie La vie.....Just thankful to be virus-free and safe at home.

    So... I took some creative time for some COVID-19 levity by designing this decal suitable for laptop computers. etc.
    It has a western "Cowboys and Indians"  theme, with native American warriors replaced with COVID-19 viruses LOL:

    Matthew Ota
    Architectural & Electrical Sign Designer
    https://matthewotasignportfolio.wordpress.com/

     

    Circle the Wagons COVD-19.jpg

    • Like 1
  5. I have had trouble with one particular sign shop that have given me checks that bounced and promises to pay that fell through. I finally told them I would not draw for them anymore. They relented now by paying me an advance on future work. They paid me $200 and I will give them $200 worth of work then demand more advance. 

  6. Most sign company owners and brokers honor the work of designers whether the job sells or not. However, some people refuse to pay for designs even after the designer has invested many hours and work into the project.
    When a salesman fails to sell a job it is not the concern or fault of the designer. Regardless of the outcome of the project, the designer should be compensated for his work. It is grossly unfair to refuse to pay for work. Sign designers do not sell signs, they sell sign drawings and designs. Pay us accordingly! 

    https://www.nospec.com/
     

  7. On 6/7/2018 at 5:06 AM, richard2717 said:

    I am on the other side of the fence on this. I lost my hearing about 8 years ago, so as an owner I would be up S*** creek without the ability to "talk" digitally. I also get annoyed with the plain jane emails that have no info but want price, but I will most generally ask them once for details and if no good response I just delete the chain and move on. One other thing I like about email is that it can cover your AZZ in stead of "that is not what I said on the phone".

    Just my perspective

    Richard

    Me too. As a vendor to sign shops and corporations, I want written instructions when it comes to making sign drawings. Verbal instructions can be forgotten. They do not hold up in court, either. I need written instructions on drawings and that is what I get, through email and redlined drawings.

    • Like 1
  8. On 3/1/2016 at 10:12 AM, Erik Sine said:

     

     

    Like it or not, neon is dying. One shop that I work with still has a tube bender. But the majority of the neon work is for repairing or retrofitting old neon signs. Heck, even the neon signs on his store are broken and he does not bother to fix them.
    I attended the latest NBM show in Long Beach. THere was NOT ONE neon display or vendor. It as all LEDs.
     

  9. You all need to look at a much larger picture. The magazine industry as a whole is in a process of large changes. There are now more magazines with less content. Signs of the Times has been my favorite magazine in this industry. Yes, it has got thinner, but many other magazines have become thinner.

    A good example is Aviation Week & Space Technology. I subscribed from 1977 to 1992 when I worked in the aerospace industry. They still publish weekly but the paper is much thinner and the magazine has fewer pages than it did 30 years ago.

    The advent of the internet has put the pinch on magazines and newspapers.

  10. On 5/23/2017 at 6:07 AM, Express Signs said:

    Primary responsibilities include designing and creating professional creative drawings for interior & exterior signs

    Able to translate conceptual designs and customer specifications into presentation layouts and production drawings for manufacturing, incorporating best practices and engineering concepts.
    • Maintain good customer relations with potential and existing clientele.
    • Proficient in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw etc
    • Mechanical and structural knowledge of sign materials, lighting and Installation methods is a plus
    • Previous sign design experience 

    Located in Shorewood, IL  

      Please email signs@expsigns.com

    If you need a sign designer to temporarily supply you with drawings until you find a local candidate, please consider my services. I can work for you via telecommuting. You can see my online portfolio here:
    https://matthewotasignportfolio.wordpress.com/

    Best regards
    Matthew Ota

     

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