WRITTEN AND DESIGNED BY LYNNE PIERCE
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INTRODUCTION Construction is part of our everyday lives; we see it, watch it progress, and are forced to work around it. It may seem like a chaotic environment, but behind every construction project, there is
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structured planning. This is the side of construction that we are not exposed to. In the roofing industry, bids are made, blue prints are evaluated, materials are gathered, and equipment is acquired. Because of this required planning, proper communication is necessary for the projects to be a success.
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IN THE
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All commercial roofing projects begin in the office. Communication between employees and documentation of work are two key components of an effective construction operation.
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INSIDE C O M M U N I CAT I O N While communication with clients is primarily done through computer-generated type, handwritten text is abundant in the office space.
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The office staff primarily works on the bidding pro-
In attempt to stay orga-
cess to acquire jobs and on
nized in such a busy envi-
project management of jobs
ronment, lists and schedules
that are already underway.
are posted in large scale.
Independent work is done
The scale not only allows
on a small scale, but there is
everyone in the office to
also a big portion of work-
easily read the information,
load that requires combined
but also emphasizes its
efforts of multiple staff.
importance and priority.
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Hallmark Cards and Ford Motors Co. are two of the biggest corporations that Flynn Sellers and Marquis serve.
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BLUE PRINTS When it comes to the lo-
these throughout the office.
gistics of a roofing project,
Blue prints combine both
blue prints are necessary
computer-generated and
documents that reveal vital
handwritten type to give
information, such as mate-
extreme detail of a build-
rial quantities and labor re-
ing plan. The text on this
quirements. It is no surprise
document serves only one
that there are hundreds of
purpose: to inform. 1.36�
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“
Blue prints give us
a necessary picture
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of the project.
Mike Pierce, Project Manager of Flynn Sellers and Marquis
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IDENTIFYING
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Each roofing project is unique and requires specific materials. Materials are purchased through an outside vendor and stored in a shop. With all the materials stored in a single location, it is extremely important that they be precisely labeled to distinguish them from one another.
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The largest single roofing project that Flynn Sellers and Marquis has completed required 1,110,000 square feet of materials.
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IN-HOUSE LABELING
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The handwritten labels
While the handwritten
found on materials in the
labels may appear “sloppy,”
shop may not appear clean
when seen in context of the
and official, but they fill a
shop, they in no way feel
utilitarian role. They are
out of place. Once accept-
generally written in large
ing hand drawn type in the
scale that is capable of be-
environment, you can begin
ing read at a distance and
to appreciate the unique
only provide the absolutely
letter forms that have been
necessary information.
authentically created.
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“
Vernacular typography
has long contributed to this genre and represents a source of inspiration to designers. Paul Tosh, “The Un-Cultured Word: Vernacular Typography and Image”
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Throughout the shop, there are multiple organizational systems. When the systems utilize hand written type, you will notice consistency in size, style, and weight. Using hand written labels in these systems allow for simple customizing and choice of referencing. 1.36�
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Materials come in all sizes. The behind image is of an organizational system that is used in the shop to keep track of small materials. Nearly every box has a label for identification.
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“
As a part of our
quality assurance
program, we confirm all orders received to ensure that they match the original purchase order. Mike Pierce, President of Flynn Sellers and Marquis
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COMPUTER G E N E R AT E D LABELS In contrast to the handwritten labels, the printed product labels that are kept
Many prefer this official
as identification of some ma-
identification, but both label
terials are of much smaller
types serve the same pur-
size and are more detailed.
pose, just in different ways.
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ABOUT THE
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Along with materials, the shop is full of a wide range of equipment. From something as small as a shop-vac to as large as a fuel tank, all equipment is necessary. The equipment must be easily and universally identifiable, whether it is referred to by its brand, official title, or nick name. Even more important than identification, the equipment must be properly handled and serviced for assured safety.
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TITLES & TRADE NAMES All equipment is inventoried under its specific manufactured brand and technical name. While branding is limited in the office and material sectors of
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the company, it is plentiful
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in the equipment segment. There are many recogniz-
and typically in a sans serif
able logos and word marks,
typeface. In this rugged field
such as Ford and Bobcat,
of work, it is unnecessary for
as well some that are less
the letter forms to be ornate
familiar, such as Winco. The
in detail, decorative, or
type found on the equip-
overly designed. Clarity in
ment is simple, easily read,
identification takes priority.
Flynn Sellers and Marquis has enough equipment that they can do as many as seven roofing jobs simultaneously.
While the technical names of the equipment are important for documentation, they are not always referred to as such in the workplace. The work force will typically use generic names or nicknames to identify the equipment they are referring to.
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Most of the construction equipment is stored in the shop at Flynn Sellers and Marquis, however, the oversized pieces of machinery sit in the parking lot. This fuel tank is one of the biggest pieces of equipment that the company has.
This image is of a hazard sign on one of the company’s fuel tanks. This sign, in particular, is a D.O.T. Placard 1993 Flammable Liquids n.o.s., Fuel Oil, Class 3.
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WA R N I N G S & CAUTIONS Warning signs not only
the construction industry. If
inform the operator of the
proper precautions are not
machinery, but also alert oth-
taken, serious harm could
ers of a potential hazard. Fuel
be a result. Changes in type
tanks, for example, require
color, weight, and scale are
a warning tag that alerts
often used to call atten-
of a flammable liquid. It is
tion to a warning or safety
important that the type on
precaution that is listed on
these signs follow a standard
the machinery itself.
so that it is easily identified.
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Safety is a top priority in
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“
Safety is our number one concern and
proper communication leads to a safer work environment.
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Matthew Pierce, Project Manager of Flynn Sellers and Marquis
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CONCLUSION There is a wide variety of typography found in the commercial roofing industry. In the office, communication is mostly in the handwritten form, but blue prints combine
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typeface and handwriting to present important
paired with simple sans serif
information. Handwriting
typefaces for easy legibil-
and printed product labels
ity. Warnings found on the
are both approaches used
machinery use typographic
to label materials. However,
changes to call attention
when looking at the roofing
to them. While the style of
equipment, it is rare to find
type found throughout the
anything handwritten. On
roofing process varies, all
the equipment, company
of the typography assists in
logos and word marks are
necessary communication.
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A special thanks to Michael Pierce, my dad, for allowing me access into the office and shop of Flynn Sellers and Marquis Commercial Roofing and for providing me with knowledge of the roofing industry that assisted in the writing of this book.
Design as Author, Patrick Dooley, 2014, University of Kansas Resources: Tosh, Paul. “The Uncultured Word: Vernacular Typography and Image.” 2007. Baines, Phil, and Catherin Dixon. “Signs and Lettering in the Environment.” London: Laurence King Pub., 2008. Interview of Mike Pierce, President of Flynn Sellers and Marquis. 2014.
This book was typeset in Neutra Text and Archer and all photos were taken with a Nikon D3000 camera.
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Interview of Matthew Pierce, Project Manager of Flynn Sellers and Marquis. 2014.