When I was in Bridgeton, Indiana last week I was sitting at a table with Doug Haffner and Jamie Oxenham. Jamie had done a nice sign a while back that we commented on. I love a challenge (probably more than almost anyone) and a challenge was thrown out to design and build a new sign that would push the bar upwards from this fine example.
Jamie insisted that this piece was merely a practice piece and could do better. Doug boasted he had a better design already in mind. I of course knew I could beat both of these guys by a Yarrow mile. The contest was instantly on. The rules were simple and scarce... anything goes with a deadline of the end of summer. Then the bravado began and the trash talk of course.
Doug is claiming that he operates in stealth mode and won't reveal his plans until he is done. I doubt he will reveal much on his blog until the project is well underway. Jamie will undoubtably build his design in his favorite 3D software. He may post a few pictures on his blog.... time will tell. I of course fear nothing (especially my esteemed competition) and will be documenting the design and build process here in great detail. My 'competition' can look all they want. :)
After the camp I had a long plane ride home. The first leg was a one hour flight from Indianapolis to Chicago. By the time we landed I had filled fifteen pages in my sketchbook with ideas and sketches of the many details I would build into my design. In the next days and weeks I'll be doing the final version of the design and then start in building the 3D files in EnRoute before routing the pieces and then assembling and painting the final version.
Just in case my fellow sign makers don't yet have their designs nailed I'll save lots of planned details to be revealed as I build. But for today here's the concept for the fish sub...
Bring it on Doug and Jamie. The challenge has begun!
-dan
