Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1451376
G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M 2 0 2 2 J U L Y G R A P H I C S P R O 3 7 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M 2 0 2 2 J U L Y G R A P H I C S P R O 3 7 and then had to undo all of it because the HOA or the cor- porate branding managers refuse the design. Your detailed records provide you the facts that will possibly allow you to charge for the changes, and more importantly, if what the customer told you to change happens to be a misspelling, you have the documentation to prove it. Break the piece into several smaller pieces and tackle them one at a time. is is a no-brainer, yet it's one that even I forget some- times. Don't we all just grab the document and jump right in to find where the mistakes are at. e primary problem with this is nothing has been done to change the outcome. By breaking up the piece into several smaller sections, you can more confidently and quickly review the piece. Walk away from it, for at least an hour to clear your head, then review. Again, yet another great way to assure a successful review of a piece yet it's the hardest to do when you have been work- ing hard to finish the project and the client is waiting for it. One hour can seem like nothing, or it can make the project so late that it doesn't get counted. Seriously, have you ever tried to just walk away from a design piece for the sole pur- pose of clearing out your mind? Seriously, give it a try and see for yourself just how much faster, easier and accurate you will be in your review. Why this works so well is that your brain needs to be washed clean of the focus it's had placed upon it with one job. By giving it a break, it allows other imagery, items, thoughts, and ideas to erase the project details like shaking an Etch A Sketch. Now, when you return to review the project, you will be amazed at how truly different it looks, how many more errors you will find, and how much more accurate you are in your proofing and reviewing. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, but I like to modify this to say: "Distance makes the eye look deeper" and placing time between you and your work is really the No. 1 way to validate the accu- racy of your work. e only way I can prove this to you is for you to try it for yourself. Next time, instead of following the typical process you have followed (which results in errors being overlooked) try incorporating the steps I describe, most importantly allow some time to go by between you and your work. Take a walk, work on something completely different, go to lunch, or whatever it takes to get your brain out of the project for a while. You cannot replace the value of a fresh look at your own work. GP Matt Charboneau started his career in the sign industry in 1985 as Charboneau Signs, later changing it to Storm Mountain Signs. In 2017, he published the Pre-Sale Sign Survey Field Guide, and provides sign design training at his site. Contact him at Matt@ stormmountainsigns.com; www.learnsigndesign.com; and 970- 481-4151. 8 9