The 2010 Signs of the Times Vehicle Graphics Contest: An Introduction

For the fourth edition of the ST Vehicle Graphics Contest, 60 signshops answered the call with 368 total entries. As usual, Promotional Vehicles (those whose graphics promote a product or service) and Service Vehicles (used for day-to-day transportation) dominated the field, with 128 and 114 entries, respectively. Signshop Vehicles – whose graphics showed remarkable imagination this year, perhaps in an effort to gain business in a down economy – garnered 42 entries.

Unique Vehicles, an assemblage of graphics with an unusual element that defies easy categorization, generated 37 entries. Transit Graphics — bus, train or monorail wraps — attracted 19 entries, and Watercraft Graphics matched that tally. A lost art, Handcrafted Graphics, received only nine submissions.

The judging procedure followed a protocol of scoresheet grading based on three criteria: Theme, Complexity and Artistic Merit. After having separated the contenders from the also-rans, top scorers moved into the next round, where the judges debated the merits of each before bestowing awards. Although a second round might seem redundant, it’s remarkable how often judges see something new that enhances or detracts from an entry’s first impression.

I regard assembling ST’s contest entries (both this competition and the International Sign Contest, which appears annually in the April issue) and, ultimately, telling the winners’ stories in the spread, as a privilege. I hope you enjoy them as well.

The Judges

Christian Beebe, Worldwide Graphics & Sign Co.

Beebe graduated from Miami (OH) University with a degree in marketing and business, and accidentally found his way into the sign industry. He said, “I was looking to have my car decorated with vinyl. They asked me if I wanted a job, and I was looking. I quickly progressed to GM, and ultimately founded Worldwide Graphics & Sign Co. [formerly The Cincinnati Sign Company].”

The company produces POP, interior graphics, banners and wraps, among other sign types.

Adam Coffaro, Crux Roadboardz

Adam Coffaro, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati, worked at a local advertising agency prior to opening Roadboardz Color Graphics (Cincinnati) in 2004 with his father, Jim, in 2004. The full-service company handled everything from individual DOT and permit numbers to nationwide, semi-trailer wrap jobs. Earlier this year, Roadboardz merged with Crux Vinyl Graphics, an outfit known for its work with fire-department, ambulance and police vehicle graphics. Today, Hebron, KY-based Crux Roadboardz Graphics produces vehicle graphics, banners, window graphics and wallscapes.

Rick Roderer, FastSigns Fairfield (OH)

Rick Roderer opened his Fairfield, OH-based FastSigns® franchise in 1994. He said his advertising and industrial-design background proved essential to understanding customers’ needs and effectively developing solutions. The shop remains a family affair – his father, Dick, though semi-retired, still assists with the shop’s business operations, and his brother, Steve, handles graphic-design duties.
The shop’s amenities include a 60-in. HP DesignJet and a 54-in. Mimaki JV-3 printer, a 60-in. combination laminator and 15- and 54-in. cutting plotters.

Rick Schuler, FastSigns Florence (KY)

Fifteen years ago, Schuler left behind his job selling commercial insurance and brought his customer-service, construction and industrial-sales experience with him to open a FastSigns® franchise, where he says his background helps him understand, design and build custom solutions. Today, he co-owns the center with his wife, Maureen. In his spare time, Schuler enjoys hiking and visiting his grown children, Daniel, Jacob and Emily.