When I was pitched with the idea to design signs for the One Stone building, I wasn't completely sure it was what I wanted to do with my summer experience. Mostly because I knew it was going to be a large project, which turned out to be much longer than I thought it would be, and I would have to learn a lot about adobe, design, and city policies. But I knew it would be a really educational/helpful experience, and I knew I really wanted One Stone to have signage, so I decided to take it on.
Once we started working on this project, I really started to enjoy the design concept, which allowed me to be much more engaged with the project. I was really enjoying creating my own designs with drawing and having Michael Regan help me put it into adobe illustrator. I really enjoyed learning about Adobe and how to use it, I am super grateful that I have that on my background now, it will open up a lot of opportunities for me. I also learned more about the foundry, especially with the C and C. Knowing that they were my designs, that they were actually going up on the building, and the good it was going to do for projecting our building was a huge motivator and accomplishment.
I also had to learn a lot about the city and the regulations and guidelines that you have to follow when putting a sign above a public sidewalk, as well as learning about getting a permit. Jesse and I had to meet with city hall multiple times updating our pitch with the regulations we were told the time before. Regulations such as size compared to building, weight, height above sidewalk, mounting material/process, an overview of the street/building setup and more came up during these meetings. We had to redesign the blade sign on the corner of the building a few times according to these because it was either too big or too close to the sidewalk. This process definitely taught me about patience and to always measure twice, as well as to check the guidelines before you start something.
Then came working with Trademark, specifically Kevin Werre, both at One Stone and observing their amazing workshop. We met with Kevin often during the process to check in and get advice/opinions on materials and ideas. After we had everything designed, Kevin helped us by ordering us Cast acrylic, paint, and a bit for the C and C. Once we finished cutting everything out and painting it, with everything just needing mounting we got to work with Kevin. We spent a good full day at the One Stone building mounting the signs with a forklift Kevin brought. After we finished it was a huge relief and moment of pride. I talked to Kevin about an internship which did not end up happening because of Covid- 19, but would love to do one once everything clears up.
Overall I really enjoyed this experience, and am very grateful for the skills it has taught me, as well as the relationships opened up by it. Seeing all the good it has done with boosting coaches' confidence in the building, One Stone and I interacting with the city and starting a relationship, and all the connections and skills it has taught me. I feel I have grown greatly in areas of Grit, Desire to grow, Technical skills, Risk taking, Problem solving, Goal setting, Ownership, Management, Communication and more. It has taught me so much about being in a professional environment, especially with being involved with the city, as well as ownership with having a big grant and it being my project alone with Jesse. I definitely see this experience opening others in my future, I can't wait to get back into this kind of work.
