From: Rob (AWARDZZ) [#12]
1 Jun 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9] 1 Jun 2006
Chuck;
We try to find out the style/model of plaque and verbage at the same time. However, if they pick out a plaque and say they'll be back with the text, I'll ask them to email or fax , that way, I can have a proof made up and send back.
For thought starters for customers we have a book at the front desk that we call thought starters... different headings... retirement, achievement,
sales, congrads etc... these come from plaques that we were really happy with, and some verbage from the local hallmark card shop....
Once the client sees examples and sees the brevity .... they SHOULD get the idea...
Good Luck
Rob
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#13]
1 Jun 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11] 1 Jun 2006
quote:
Any suggestions on how to begin?
Maybe pick a couple of random plaques and do a mockup on the computer using some random text. Make it as dense as you think looks good and then count how many words per square inch that averages to. Then do another one that is a bit too dense and count how many words per square inch that is. Then maybe you could come up with a rough guideline that says "For a space of x square inches you can fit xxx words or less, and if you limit yourself to xxx words it will look even better". (or define it by number of letters instead of words)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14]
1 Jun 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#13] 1 Jun 2006
quote:
if you limit yourself to xxx words it will look even better".
Dave,
By limiting words to xxx are you suggesting my customers swear? ( insert gregarious laugh here) (devil)
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#15]
1 Jun 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14] 1 Jun 2006
See how things change over time? 200 years ago xxx represented triple distilled spirits, since you were taxed once for each distillation and the tax collector marked an X on the barrel for each taxation. :'-(
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
1 Jun 2006
To: ALL
I say, if they're paying, give them what they want, regardless of letter count etc.
It sounds is if you've done due diligence, in offering your expert opinion, regarding a tasteful layout.
From there, it's their choice.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17]
1 Jun 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16] 1 Jun 2006
quote:
I say, if they're paying, give them what they want, regardless of letter count etc.
David,
I have tried to convince myself of that also, but if "what they want" causes a product to "look" bad or "read" bad, WHO is the reflection on? It is on the award dealer NOT the customer....how does one combat THAT?
From: UncleSteve [#18]
1 Jun 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17] 1 Jun 2006
Uh, put your COMPETITOR'S sticker on the back? (devil)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19]
1 Jun 2006
To: UncleSteve [#18] 1 Jun 2006
quote:
Uh, put your COMPETITOR'S sticker on the back? (devil
"I" have no competition B-) ( insert laugh here)EDITED: 1 Jun 2006 by C_BURKE
From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#20]
1 Jun 2006
To: ALL
Generally, when I am doing a sign for someone that has alot of text I will play around with it and try to give the customer a few designs simply because alot of times I have to remember that many times, customers see something in their head and do not see it accurately, nor do they always understand what I am describing to them. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, so if you have time, do a mock up of what they described they want and then at least one of what you invision.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21]
1 Jun 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17] 1 Jun 2006
Chuck,
Some people love to art direct, although what they see in their mind, may not be what they had in mind, once they see the final product.
In those cases, I agree with Franklin. Present them with a proof of their concept and one of your own.
Once you've won a customer over, with your tasteful layouts, I doubt they'll question your expertise in the future.
If people want proof, after proof, after proof -- give them what they want -- for charge, after charge, after charge.
From: id (OVERMAN) [#22]
1 Jun 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21] 2 Jun 2006
On the same line I have upset costomers by refusing to do all capitals in script or old english even when they insist, I have told thjem to go elsewhere,
jim
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#23]
2 Jun 2006
To: id (OVERMAN) [#22] 2 Jun 2006
Jim,
I've occasionally gotten that request as well, even though I've been able to talk people out of it, by showing them an example of how it would appear.
If a person can't be talked out of that horrendous use of typography, you can be sure it's a plaque that won't carry my label on the back. :S
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#24]
2 Jun 2006
To: ALL
It's getting a bit silly, but how about a sticker on the back that reads:
"manufactured to customer specifications by ***"
This reminds me of other threads on matching existing tacky awards that don't change from year to year.
If its a new customer do you want them to come back? Back when I bought my car, one salesman only wanted to sell a model he felt was "age appropriate", not the one I was interested in. Needless to say, I went elsewhere. (different dealer & brand)
From: UncleSteve [#25]
2 Jun 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#24] 2 Jun 2006
quote:
how about a sticker on the back that reads:
"manufactured to customer specifications by ***"
Is that anything like:
"The customer made me do it!" >.<
From: logojohn [#26]
2 Jun 2006
To: ALL
A font and inter character spacing is everything.
See what happened to "MegaFlicks"
Don't click if easily offended.
http://www.headlinehumor.com/images/signs/s64.jpg
.EDITED: 2 Jun 2006 by LOGOJOHN
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27]
2 Jun 2006
To: logojohn [#26] 2 Jun 2006
John,
Years ago, while working as an employee, I was asked by my foreman, to redo a nameplate, for a person with the last name of Flick.
They wanted a lot of space, between the "L" and the "I." :-$ EDITED: 2 Jun 2006 by DGL
From: Patty (PDI) [#28]
2 Jun 2006
To: logojohn [#26] 3 Jun 2006
Even worse was when my brother, an owner of a small pick-up truck, proudly put a sticker on the back window of his truck:
Tucson Mini Trucker
Amazing how a badly spaced T and r can combine to make an F.
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