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My sign design projects with hand painted script lettering - 1980's and 90's

Back before computers were everywhere, I worked with some businesses to develop a graphic identity for their vehicles, printing, etc. I may have saved the logo design graphics somewhere, if I find them I'll add photos to this post. Bouncy scripts incorporated into graphics have a unique eye-catching flow to them. This one - Bay View Plumbing in Redondo Beach CA, was a classic sign painter design that ended up in all their printed pieces, on the vans, magnetic signs, the awning over the office, and who knows where else!

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Another plumbing business I designed lettering for - I believe this was the first of a series of plumbing businesses because of referrals - is this one in Torrance CA.

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This logo has been used by Discount Pool & Spa Supply in Lomita CA for many years. This was the first van I did for them…

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Fortunately we decided to lose the goofy pool water I thought was so clever in later years -- still doing their vehicles, but now wrapping them (still using the same logo) like this:

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Here's another plumbing van client that I started working with in that time period, this one in Torrance CA. This is a newer vehicle, done in vinyl - but the bouncy script layout was inspired by years of sign painting.

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This window signage for Robin Smith Physical Therapy in Manhattan Beach CA used the client's business identity that included a script-style combined with classic sign painting techniques.

Based on her business card which had the color effect in the name lettering. Hand painted inside glass - started with outlines and descriptive copy (under the name), then stippled color in the name, and stippled white for the translucent effect it provides for the panel. I did this somewhere in the early 1990's.

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Finally, here is one more bouncy, hand painted, sign painter design style (kind of a showcard in banner format) I did around, maybe, 1985…

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Sign painters have had a huge influence on graphic design in times past. We can look to all the unique script hand-lettering in (what I think, anyway) was the heyday of advertising and graphic design in the 1950's and 1960's.

Hope you enjoyed this post.


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