Double Trouble | Intermediate Neon with James Akers

Up your neon design cred while improving your pattern dissection and bending skills with this 5 week evening class. We will begin by learning to use free, open source digital design software to iterate through designs outside of the studio before going into a bending boot camp, then pursuing our own designs. Whether you're looking to make colorful, bubbly, graffiti tags, or you crave the classic, elegant serifs of Times New Roman, find out why some benders claim that double stroke is actually easier than single stroke text.

Objective 1: Learn inkscape for tracing or making patterns to plot or print off.

We will learn some digital tools useful for making neon patterns that reveal how much glass and transformer we will need and how we might bend them. We will look at a variety of fonts that we can trace into a double stroke letter automatically, and how to trace our own designs from photos.

Objective 2: Achieve a bending consistency while learning methods of planning ahead to identify which bends to skip and successfully skip them. 

When students are heating the most glass they possibly can, it is difficult to achieve consistent and reliable results. By increasing the students maximum amount of glass a student feels comfortable heating, that student will be able to more consistently bend their favorite diameters. With bends and measurements they can rely on, students will be able to accurately skip bends and keep themselves out of tricky situations while staying on pattern. By following general rules of thumb when planning their approach, Students will be developing the foresight to stay out of trouble when tackling more difficult designs of their own.

What to expect: All students can expect to come away with 5-6 pumped neon tubes that incorporate a variety of colors, as well as basic installation hardware and the know-how to use it. Read more about how to prepare for class on our Registration Info page.

With neon work, participants primarily engage in standing activities such as bending and assembling neon tubes over a torch flame. Working with glass materials requires a certain level of dexterity. Learn more about accessibility on our website.

Eligibility: This is an intermediate level workshop, previous experience required. Open to ages 14 and up.

Pick-up: Neon tubes may be bombarded during class, however should processing take additional time, students will have to return to UrbanGlass once notified to pick up their work.

This is an in-person class taking place on-site at UrbanGlass. Health and safety guidelines will be emailed to you upon registration.

We recommend registering for classes early to reserve your spot! We base materials, and teacher needs off of student enrollment. Early registration not only guarantees your spot in class, but also helps to ensure the class will run. Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled within two weeks of the start date of class. Contact our Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at [email protected] if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

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