Squbrigg Sign!

[Irish]

Hope everyone doesn't mind much ... Bob PMed me a question about a sign layout and it was easiest for me to post my ideas here.

I am sure that if you have ideas or thoughts to add Bob would be very appreciative.


Bob,
Here are a few quick thoughts on your sign project this morning.

1. Open space in a sign is good! Notice that all three examples have lots of breathing room around the elements and the outer edge of the design area.

2. Give the sign some visual element that people will remember. People do not remember names. So they won't remember that it's Irish Pub, instead it's that Pub with the thistle on the sign or the dragon on the sign.

3. No matter how important the man's family crest is to him the reason for the sign is to promote his business. So it's the patrons that you are making the sign for not the Pub owner.

4. Keep the lettering very simple and clean. You have less than 10 seconds to get someone to look at and read your sign.

I have attached three possible layouts. One uses the classic Irish thistle pattern behind the shield. The thistle is a symbol for good luck, easy to carve and remember-able. The second uses a simple knot design behind both the shield and the pub name, this unites these two elements and re-enforces that it's an Irish establishment. The third uses dragons as the top part of the shield. You could easily take their tail out into the background for more knot work. The dragons again are an Irish symbol and easily remembered.

I also have attached a pencil drawing I did for the Celtic book. Glance at it then come back to this posting ...

Now, what did you see? You saw the dragon sitting on the paper. You probably didn't bother to read the lettering on the paper. That is how the Pub patrons will view your sign! They will remember the sitting dragon and then after a couple of visits will remember the Pub's name.

Opps ... forgot to say ... Notice that the biggest, strongest and boldest element is the word PUB because that's what it is all about.

Susan

[Paul_Guraedy]

Susan, I for one, am glad you decided to go "public" with your answer. The information is all very good and interesting; but, the "dragon" demonstration was fabulous. I would never have suspected the results. I remembered that the sign said something about Celtic; but, could not recall anymore information. I would have opted for this sign as the best.

[squbrigg]

Wow, thanks Susan. I love the dragon element thrown in!!!

I'm not sure how he'll feel about the lack of the family name on the sign, the name and crest seemed the focus of the sign. The pub's name is : O'Donaghue's and the old homestead sign he briught as a model seemed pretty important to him, but I'll see what he thinks.

I love the thistle as a border and it is easy enough for me to handle. The dragon in the last pic is stunning ......I'd love to do that, but I don't think he'd go for it! Smile But perhaps I could make a sign just for myself using that dragon!!!!!

Thanks for your help Susan, I really appreciate it. I want to help Troy out of this jam, and do a good job for him, he's a good friend and has been very supportive of our carving group. The pub is just getting on it's feet and I want to do everything I can to help it become successful. Lots of Irish here on the river, and his is a well known family. The Irish Festival is coming up soon, so I better get busy. He needs it in place by then.

Bob

[Irish]

Thanks, Paul!

Hey Bob,

I used Irish ... because it's my last name and you said that your friend was using his last name ... I didn't think through Irish Pub as the place of origin vs Irish pub as the name of the pub owner ... Head Bange Senior moment there!

The dragon is just an example that you can show him to emphasis how his clients or patrons will view his sign. Yes, put his name on it! Yes, use his family shield! And YES use some little design element like the thistle as the eye catcher for his patrons.

Susan

[squbrigg]

Thanks Susan ..... I was having the same senior moment ..... cause he is calling the place an Irish Pub and his helper had even suggested that the word Irish Bub would be better than just Pub.!!! Thank goodness, we're on the same wavelength now!!

Thank you my dear, you have bailed me out once again!

Bob

[Irish]

Bob, I took the design that you emailed and did just a very few changes.

First, I love the font you chose for his name!!!! I made the word PUB the biggest element in the design. Then I took your swirl from the end of the name, enlarged it and wrapped it down the side then over the shield. Now his name "holds" the shield and unifies these two pieces.

Next, I grabbed a quick image to put into the swirl, a wolves head, for the knot area. Now there is a quick visual element that people will remember and one that comes directly from his shield elements.

Susan

[whitecree]

Well, I'd remember the shield from that last sign, if nothing else. Mayhap Bob's buddy would be happy with that.

Lora, that dragon is fascinating, what with the way his tail trails off into knotwork and the dragon appears to have his hackles up as he wards the sign.

[Lindy]

Okay Susan, you just had to show the cover for a Celtic Pattern book didn't ya ~ sheesh ~ now I need that one too!!!!!

So when can we can expect to see that one available for us to purchase? Addictions are just too addicting Cool

Linda

[squbrigg]

That looks good Susan! I never thought of stretching the swirl down like that and incorporating it into an image. Nice idea!

I can't take credit for the name font, it is what they dropped off with the sign blank.

You certainly have given me some options, which is much further along from where I began, and again, I thank you for your help. I'll keep you posted on the sign and post pics of the finished sign when I'm complete.

Bob

[Irish]

Originally Posted by Lindy

Okay Susan, you just had to show the cover for a Celtic Pattern book didn't ya ~ sheesh ~ now I need that one too!!!!!

So when can we can expect to see that one available for us to purchase? Addictions are just too addicting Cool

Linda

Hey Lindy ... they didn't chose that design for the cover But the pattern is in the book. I am not gripping as Troy does know what he's doing with the cover work. Both Celtic and Tattoo are in stock ...
Susan