Signwriter
HAVE the right sign, now open for business — that could be the catchcry of businesses today. When Mark Vincent started his training in 1978 as an 18-year-old apprentice, signwriting was still “a traditional hands-based skill”.
Since then, Vincent and his graphics partner have built up a solid business called Vincent Signs in Camberwell, expanding it slowly but steadily since the early 1980s. “We’ve created a very good client base. Small things grow into bigger things as clients grow and they refer you to other people,” Vincent says. He has seen many changes since his training days. For example, there was no computer technology, but within four years in the early ’80s the industry became dependent on computers.
“Guys used to working with notepads to create design had to sit down in front of a computer and adapt to graphics software and learn how to interface with machines.”
Today’s signwriters are image makers in their own right. “Image is very important to a lot of people,” Vincent says. “We’re dealing with individuals who have their own ideas and dreams and they want those realised. That’s where our skills come in.”
In the old days a signwriter would go out and produce a sign on a window or a vehicle. “Now it’s far more thoughtful,” he says. “A client will come to us and their initial concern may be opening a new shop and they want designs to make their shop look nice. That could be anything from designing their business cards and letterheads right through to shopfront signs.”
Or a school might say: “We’ve looked like this for 20 years and we’ve got some money and we want to upgrade our look.”
Vincent calls himself a sign manufacturer, reflecting the changing face of the industry. “We take people’s ideas and produce a solid representation of it. We consult the client. We then design the sign that suits the environment it’s going into. “We then make a sign for that shop and install it. We may work with other trades, finishing the sign off.”
“Instead of producing it on paper, you’re producing it on the screen.” Vincent says there’s fashion in signs, but people don’t want an off-the-shelf look. “They want something unique. People are happy to spend time and money getting results. They want to stamp their individuality on things.”
Like any businessman, Vincent spent time in his local community, catering to its needs and getting referrals from work done. “I certainly enjoy working with people and solving their problems. You do get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing your work around — a strong sense of pride.”
