Editor's Note

Work to Be Done

New assistant editor and new initiatives for 2024.

Published

3 months ago

January 25, 2024

Mark Kissling Signs of the Times January 2024 Issue

WE’VE GOT A LOT planned for the year at Signs of the Times and we’re wasting no time starting! This month we’re conducting our third annual Big Survey for publication in another special supplement with the March issue. Near the end of this month, we’ll open our call for nominations for our fourth annual Women in Signs awards.

In April we’ll lead a seminar, “Be Better Sign Guys,” at the ISA Sign Expo in Orlando and in July, we’ll exhibit at the MSSA’s 50th anniversary SignConnexion in Memphis in a resumption of attending regional shows.

We also plan to sponsor a new sign industry podcast, build up our Brain Squad and hopefully complete the Signs of the Times digital archive. WHEW! Good thing I’ve got help to do all this and more!

Please welcome new Assistant Editor Mildred Nguyen, recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University, our part-time editorial assistant for much of last year, and originally an intern our team first worked with in fall 2021. Signs of the Times is constantly pushing sign companies to hire young people still in school as interns or apprentices, with the aim of introducing them to the industry and training them for full-time employment. That is exactly what we have done — with an incredible result!

Mildred is an extraordinary young woman. Born and raised in Vietnam, she’s more than fluent (affluent?) in English and writes better than 99.9 percent of Americans. I’m so pleased she’s partnering with me in all we have planned for 2024 and beyond!

5 Smart Tips from This Issue

Consider 3D printing — now more durable and affordable — for your shop. (Tech Products)
Hold a detailed initial project consult to minimize design revisions. (Do It Again)
Find “square holes” to retain “square pegs” who are otherwise good employees. (Maggie Harlow)
Make a New Year’s resolution for your company, not for yourself. (Eric E. Larsen)
Step back from an installed sign to see if any other little effort might improve it. (Dale Salamacha)

Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.