I’m a classically trained sign painter who studied sign painting at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. I was fortunate enough to study under the late Ralph “Doc” Guthrie, a household name in the sign painting industry. Formally studying sign painting influenced my graphic design in ways I didn’t expect—learning how to create letterforms by hand, as well as understanding the mechanics behind letter spacing, helped bolster my typography. Similarly, my graphic design skills were crucial in my mastery of sign layout.