Shane Durnford Design :BLOG

A 26 ft fascia sign is the second part of a sign installment for Cardboard Castle's image development.
A large sign that was designed to project a strong image without being cost prohibitive.
The colours intensely compliment each other while having warm undertones to soften and harmonize the entire image. Lighting up the storefront with a glowing welcome, even on the gloomiest of days.

I don't want to leave my blog in a cloud of Doom and Gloom. I'll continue the story of my evolution into a new life, a rebirth.
Maybe lend some hope to those who have experienced severe burn-out. Or perhaps a source to satisfy some morbid curiosity, like viewing a messy accident scene.

It's a terrible thing to hit the wall I've encountered it many times. I would pause, then take a fresh approach with a fresh strategy, renewed energy and optimism. This time there were no reserves, nothing left, and seemingly no where to go. I discovered it's not the career that defines us, it's who we are that influences what we choose to do in life.
I realized there is more than one road to travel.
It's been a struggle, but after a couple of weeks off I'm up and running. I'll include progress photos of the last jobs to leave my studio and updates on my journey into my new life.


Cut out for last carving on door.



Panels for Cardboard Castles.

Pick one small rock from a pile of rocks, just one, and it starts a chain reaction and a multitude fall in behind it. It's the laws of gravity and nature. Everything finds it's place, where it needs to be. I've always followed this philosophy with design and it's the same belief I carry through into my life, no matter how difficult or what the consequences.
So along with ending my present career to pursue another I've sadly ended my 22 year marriage to my wife Jackie. A tough climb ahead, but life moves forward and finds it's way.

To those that have contracted work with me. The work will be completed in good order. Your projects are a part of the process to my new life.

Ever since I can remember I wanted to be an artist. All my report cards in primary school stated I spent too much time day dreaming and doodling. When leaving high school I desired to be a commercial artist, I didn't know where to begin, so I worked at odd jobs including my father's metal fabricating shop where I had worked since the age of 13. I stumbled across sign painting when I was 21. I enrolled in the signwriting program at George Brown College in Toronto. I threw myself into it, I loved the design craft and artistry it required and the hope some day was to have my own business and live the quiet life. It was never a lucrative vocation or a steady one. I had made attempts to leave the business a couple of times, each time returning to the sign business with renewed passion and optimism for a brighter future . Over the last 20 years I have honed and diversified my craft to a fine polish. I'm just beginning to understand what true creativity is. However it has been a struggle convincing a "homogenous - instant" society on the importance of good design and the value of quality craftsmanship. As of late I've used the same marketing design and craft approach to architectural sculpture. However, I'm burnt out. I'm not sure if it has been the repetitive cycle of feast or famine. The thousands of solitary hours perfecting the craft (missing my kids grow up) missing deadlines with labor intensive projects or the faltering belief the world values symmetry, poetry and art. Someone mentioned to me the other day I've put too much art into ordinary mediums. I think they're right. Whatever the reason, I'm finished. I'm applying to the O.P.P. (Ontario Provincial Police) They are looking for candidates with life experience. It's something I have considered for a couple of years. A way to rejoin society and serve to help make it a better place.
I still have scheduled projects to finish and room to add a few more as the application process to the O.P.P. is a slow merging one. I'll still craft and design on the side. I just won't do it for a living.

I wasn't quite happy with a recent logo I developed, it was a little too static and looked like a menorah when reduced in size. Nothing against a menorah, just not the look we were going for.

Before




After