About
Like all great adventures, a young man with a passion to create, coalesced into a sign career that has spanned more than 4 decades. How did it all happen?
About Glen Welden
Influenced by the dark side of the Force
As a high school junior in 1977, I was consumed with Star Wars. Sketches of Star Wars filled scraps of paper as I doodled for myself, my friends and family members alike. The obsession led to seeing the movie 19 times in theaters! I don't remember exactly how it happened but one of my Star Wars drawings ended up in front of one of my friends father, whom, coincidently owned a small sign company in Pompano Beach named "Wooden Graphics". Shortly after, I was asked by my friends father if I was looking for a job? I came after school for an "interview" and was given a tour of his small, modest shop. I was in shock when he told me that he wanted me to be his sole designer. I told him I knew nothing about the sign business but he insisted that I had the talent and creativity that it takes to be a Master Designer.
He said to me "If you can draw this (and produced a drawing I did of Darth Vader), you can do that" and pointed to the drawing board!
I am ever grateful for the opportunity he gave me to learn and grow under his guidance. I was young and naive when I started working at Wooden Graphics. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but it was my first job and I loved art, so I gratefully accepted his offer.
I remember the first job that I designed that was built and installed. I stood there, in front of the finished product, stunned that something I drew had become an actual sign in all the colors and textures I envisioned. The craftsmen and artisans that took raw materials and turned them into this beautiful work was overwhelming! I knew then that a had found my calling.
Since then, I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn from some of the best sign makers and business owners in the industry. Folks who invested in me and helped me grow as an artist and craftsman. Some are gone but they will never be forgotten.
Who could have guessed that a simple doodle could lead to such a fantastic journey for this small town kid with no formal training and no college accreditation.
I am truly thankful for the many people who mentored me over the years. I have been very lucky and really fortunate to be associated with a few outstanding sign manufactures and in turn, the great folks who owned them. I am committed to passing on that same level of care and support to the next generation of sign designers and makers.
I pay homage to their business skill and entrepreneurship and give them the credit they deserve in the programs and projects highlighted during my tenure as their "student".
Our Values...
T
Talent:
Utilize GWA Design talents, experiences and relationships within the sign industry to propel growth and revenue in your organization and business.
C
Creativity:
Designing by hand or computer has always been a source of inspiration and experimentation.
"Great Design shouldn't cost more".
R
Relationships:
GWA Design's professional and collaborative relationships with clients and colleagues is one of the most important and satisfying aspects of our success.
P
Potential:
"You never have a second chance to make a good first impression!" Successful sign design begins with the "WOW" factor.
M
Mentoring:
Glen Welden has trained and mentored many other future "Sign Jedi's" over his years in the industry. It's easy to teach and share when the talent is evident and the student is receptive.
P
Performance:
We embrace opportunities to educate and develop top talent
in the Environmental Graphic Design field.
Our Design Services Work...
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