2008 International Sign Contest

FIRST PLACE

Danthonia said its client, a buyer and seller of used and rare books, wanted something that would be more like an attraction than a simple sign. The result: signage that looks not unlike a giant’s bookshelf. The 11 x 20-ft. sign was created from Sign•Foam 3® panels (laminated with PVC backing) with 3M adhesives. The production team did the carving with Pfeil Swiss-made chisels and gouges, and handpainted everything with Dulux Weathershield paints and Liquitex artist acrylics. The lettering on the books’ spines shines with 23k goldleaf.

SECOND PLACE

With its 23k Monarch goldleaf and high contrasts between red enamel and the black-smalt background, this bold sign reflects the majestic nature of the griffin, a mythic half-eagle, half-lion beast. Traditionally, the griffin is a guardian (that also has an eagle’s head and talons), but in this instance, this sign couldn’t be more inviting. Even the sign’s main typeface has an old, enigmatic feel to it. What kind of books do they sell?

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This 25 x 27-in., HDU sign was routed with a Gerber Sabre 408 and hangs from the building on a wrought-iron scroll made by local blacksmith Joel Snively.

THIRD PLACE (TIE)

This gallery’s name might suggest chaos or anger, but take one look at the sign, and you’ll see it’s actually a co-op gallery for art inspired by the local nature and landscape (the space is named for the nearby Mad and Noisy rivers).

The 68-in.-tall x 38-in.-wide x 14-in.-thick, handcarved sign was stack-laminated with 2-in., 18-lb. Design Board HDU and West System epoxy. Handcarving tools included flexible rasps, sandpaper, a knife and carving gouges. It’s handpainted with Benjamin Moore primer and paint as well. The painted aluminum letters are from Gemini.

THIRD PLACE (TIE)

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Gallery Indigena sells native-carved masks, sculpture, jewelry and original prints in Stratford, ON. Its signage reflects both the quality items inside and Stratford’s thriving, live-theater scene. The lights invoke a theatre marquee, the handcarved bear, made from Jasper Plastics DesignBoard® HDU, references the gallery’s artwork, while the letterface color shimmers like the Northern Lights.

The letters, made inhouse with HDU, were hogged out on the Sign Depot’s router table and filled with colored epoxy that was poured into the recessed area.

The copper background provides a warm contrast to the polar bear, which was carved with a 1⁄2-in., ball-nose router bit and finished with a hand rasp and sandpaper. The eyes, ear and claw details were added with Magic Sculpt sculpting putty. Semigloss latex with airbrushed highlights and shadows provided the finishing touches.

HONORABLE MENTION

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