Sizing Up Your Options

How to choose a theming design and fabrication partner

You’re not very likely to find anyone who has a trio of life-sized dinosaurs “in stock.” And even if you did, chances are they wouldn’t be quite what you were looking for. That’s why custom design and fabrication shops exist. They know every request is unique and they gear up to handle whatever clients throw at them, no matter how outrageous. The problem is, no two shops are alike and it can be hard to tell which ones really have the creative and technical moxie to get the job done.

Companies that design and build large scale, three-dimensional props, architectural elements, signage, sculpture, product replicas, characters and other big stuff run the gamut in terms of size and capabilities. They go from guys carving foam in their garages all the way to full-blown design-build shops covering thousands of square feet. As with anything else, you can’t go by who’s the biggest or who’s been in business the longest. What’s important is finding the right match to make sure you get a knock-your-socks-off product, great service and a price you can live with. A tall order? Not if you know what to look for and how to separate the facts from the fluff. To help you narrow the field, ask your potential partners how they rate on these essentials:

No two shops are alike and it can be hard to tell which ones really have the creative and technical moxie to get the job done.

Computer-controlled equipment. Custom design and fabrication is an interesting mix of human craftsmanship and advanced technology. Digital scanners, CNC routers and automated precision cutting tools are gotta-haves if you want exact replication and high quality.
Design capabilities. You might have your own design – or not. Either way, your firm should be able to work with you or your designer, interpret your creative ideas and deliver a finished product that looks and functions the way you want.
Engineering smarts. Even the simplest figures sometimes require a structural skeleton, and the first step in more complex projects is overcoming engineering and construction challenges. It’s not the sexiest part of the job but it can be the most critical.
Experience. This one’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, you don’t want to be a lab rat for someone carving his first maquette. On the other hand, the odds of finding a company that’s already done a piece exactly like the one in your brain are rather slim. Use your best judgment; a company with a well-rounded portfolio containing pieces similar to what you want is probably qualified.
Space. If you’re in the market for custom design and fabrication, you’re most likely trying to create something big. The company you choose doesn’t have to have football fields of shop space, but they do need enough room to handle your job without renting outside space or farming pieces out to another supplier.

Once you’re sure the partner you’re considering has the physical capabilities you need, give it a good gut check. Can your contact person answer your questions with confidence? Are they looking out for your best interests? Is your project as important to them as it is to you? If you answered yes three times, you have a winner.

Gary Bystrom is CEO of Chisel Productions, an Atlanta-based theming, design and fabrication firm. For more information, contact him at 404-351-8388 or info@chisel3d.com.