At Designs & Signs, every craftsman is an artist at heart. While modern machinery aids our shop production, our creative vision remains dedicated to time-honored traditions. Because classic sign making demands refined aesthetics and typographic balance, each craftsperson approaches storefronts, private yachts, and architectural monuments as bespoke works of art.
The Disciplines of Traditional Sign Making
Before automated plotters existed, a commercial artist relied strictly on manual skill to craft expressive lettering. Today, our team preserves those heritage practices across three primary specialties:
- Hand Carving and Sculpting: When shaping high-density urethane (HDU) or mahogany, each incised letter and textured background highlights authentic hand craftsmanship.
- Master Gilding and Surface Leafing: A skilled gilder applies genuine 23-karat gold leaf according to standards maintained by the Society of Gilders, achieving a brilliant mirror luster that paint cannot replicate.
- Traditional Glass Gilding (Verre Églomisé): Applying precious gold directly to glass allows our team to create elegant transom numerals and historic mirrors.
How Dedicated Craftsmanship Builds Brand Identity
Every commercial business and marine vessel possesses a distinctive background. Therefore, the primary goal of a lettering artist is to translate that story into durable architectural signage. Hand-lettered brushstrokes, genuine gold leaf accents, and sculpted relief details convey prestige. As a result, work completed by a dedicated professional adds authentic character to historic buildings and classic yachts.
Meet the Creative Team Behind Our Shop
Individual passion and decades of practice guide every custom project. You can explore the background and portfolio of each team member through our dedicated profiles:
- Travis Brandon – Learn how he combines custom woodworking, gold leaf finishes, and marine quarterboards.
- Howard Rogers – Read about the work of a seasoned boatbuilder and master woodworker.
- Brendon Brandon – Explore his execution of dimensional carving, layout design, and artisanal finishing.