“Signs, signs, everywhere a sign,” the song complains. But can you imagine trying to find the place you’re looking for without signs? Few of us stop to think who is behind the look, style and construction of signs. Garrett Mattimoe, a designer for Vancouver Sign Group, is one of those who help us know when we’ve arrived at our destination. Straight out of trade school and in his 20s, he landed a job that launched a 25-year career he’s never even considered leaving. “I love drawing what’s asked of me by the customer,” he says. “You want to blow their minds, even with a simple pole sign. I’m driven by a desire to please.”
Name: Garrett Mattimoe.
Residence city: Clackamas, Ore.
Employer name: Vancouver Sign Group, 2600 N.E. Andresen Road; www.vansignco.com
Age: 46.
Educational/professional background: I attended National Education Center – Bryman Campus, in Phoenix, Ariz., and received an associate’s degree in specialized business and advertising design. I spent 14 years designing signs for the Las Vegas gaming and commercial market and 11 years designing signs in the Washington and Portland markets.
How you got started in your business: After I graduated from trade college in 1990 I applied for a job in a layout department of a sign shop in Las Vegas. Soon I was moved into their art department and along the way I was fortunate to have been trained by some of the finest designers in the industry. Working in Las Vegas was a lot of fun; there was no such thing as a budget at that time. Whatever it took to pull people from the place next door, that’s what you did.
Personal/business philosophy: Seek a career you’re passionate about and work hard to achieve your goals. Just don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
Most rewarding part of job: Seeing one of your signs or displays out in the public view for the first time, and knowing the customer is happy.
Most challenging part of job: Besides my commute on the I-205 freeway, I would say balancing the workload between the sales department and the client, having to deal with all the different logistics of a job — speaking the language of all the players, architects, marketers.
One thing readers might find surprising about your work: The ability to be equally creative and technical in design is a must to be a well-rounded sign designer. It’s not just graphic art, design and composition, but also architectural understanding of signs. You have to keep up your chops and constantly be learning new industry software. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to learn in the sense of you can never be too good. I’m always shooting to be much better.
One thing you’d like people to know about your work: It takes teamwork and camaraderie to complete a successful project.
Best feature of my Clark County community: Great parks and amenities.
What would make your community a better place: More work programs and rehab for the homeless.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: Beaches Restaurant and Hopworks on Powell Boulevard in Portland.
Your favorite travel destination and type: Car, plane or train to a coastal destination.
Hobbies: Bass guitar, disc golf and longboarding.
Most enjoyable arts event in past 12 months: Thievery Corporation at the Roseland Theater.
Something you’d like to do this year/within five years: Take an extended vacation to Tahiti.
One word to describe yourself: Resilient.
Person you’d most like to meet: Elon Musk.
WORKING IN CLARK COUNTY
Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Kay Richardson:
kay.richardson@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
