Christopher Rouleau speaks at Type Brigade No52!
Sign painting is a perfect blend of draftsmanship and artistry, of rules and intuition, of precision and incongruity. With the emergence of the “slow movement” in the last decade, and a renewed interest in analog techniques - perhaps as a reaction against artificial intelligence and the technologies that dominate so many aspects of our lives - the demand for traditional sign painting has returned. Many small businesses prefer signs made by humans, not machines. People want art in their homes made by people, not factories. And those with an interest in typography and handmade letterforms (both professionals and hobbyists) are once again interested in painting letters by hand.
I will share my research and experience as a self-taught sign painter, and offer some insights into the rise of analog techniques, the increased demand for traditional sign painting, and why the handmade can co-exist in a digital world.
See more of Chris' work here: christopherrouleau.com
Bonus points if you find the random balloons that our iPhone decided to add into the recording!