Tom Collins
Artist, Craftsman & Designer
Tom Collins began his career as an artist before formally-training as a craftsman specialising in unique and original signwriting. Known for his attention to detail, Tom has a genuine love for his craft and respect for tradition. He started his business in Cork after completing his City & Guilds in Traditional Sign writing in 1995, and has since back home to Limerick where he has been working in this profession providing one of a kind, traditional signage and design services to clients all over Ireland since 1995.
Tom Collins began his career as an artist before formally-training as a craftsman specialising in unique and original signwriting. Known for his attention to detail, Tom has a genuine love for his craft and respect for tradition. He successfully completed a City & Guilds Course in Traditional Sign writing in Cork in 1995, and has since been working in this profession, producing one-off quality signs. Now with nearly 20 years in business Tom has a portfolio of repeat customers all over Ireland.
He is an award-winning shop-front designer and sign-writer with an old-fashioned, professional approach that shows in everything he does; from his elegant design process, to his patient selection of materials, to his thorough study of your requirements. He understands that every client is an individual, and an essential part of the Tom Collins philosophy is getting to know the customer.
Tom is passionate about his craft and about his designs. He takes the time to produce work that is unique and original. He believes his work should have the personal touch, knowing that it is the first impression for a customer and that is carries a tangible sense of personal touch to be expected in the business within.
Read about Tom from Bock or in the Vintners Guide
Traditional
Tom Collins began his career as an artist before formally-training as a craftsman specialising in unique and original signwriting. Known for his attention to detail, Tom has a genuine love for his craft and respect for tradition. He started his business in Cork after completing his City & Guilds in Traditional Sign writing in 1995, and has since back home to Limerick where he has been working in this profession providing one of a kind, traditional signage and design services to clients all over Ireland since 1995.
Professional
He is an award-winning shop-front designer and sign-writer with an old-fashioned, professional approach that shows in everything he does; from his elegant design process, to his patient selection of materials, to his thorough study of a project’s requirements. He understands that every client is an individual, and an essential part of the Tom Collins philosophy is getting to know the customer.
Passionate
Tom is passionate about his craft and about his designs. He takes the time to produce work that is unique and original. He believes his work should have the personal touch, knowing that it is the first impression for a customer and that is carries a tangible sense of personal touch to be expected in the business within.
SERVICES
Award Winning Shopfront Design
Interior & Exterior Signage & personalised Mirrors
Traditional Signwriting & Gilding
Interiors & Colour Consultancy
Providing one of a kind, traditional sign work and design services to clients all over Ireland since 1995
Tom Collins began his career as an artist before formally-training as a craftsman specialising in unique and original signwriting. Known for his attention to detail, Tom has a genuine love for his craft and respect for tradition. He started his business in Cork after completing his City & Guilds in Traditional Sign writing in 1995, and has since back home to Limerick where he has been working in this profession providing one of a kind, traditional signage and design services to clients all over Ireland since 1995.
WORKSHOPS
Tom runs limited space workshops in his Limerick studio with guest sign writer Jakob Engberg from Copenhagen Signs and occasionally other talented visiting lettering artists.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Tom worked closely with Limerick band The Cranberries in 2015 on ‘Love letters from Limerick’ with Sean Starr ( Texas USA ) which started as a loose organic idea to hold a sign painting exhibition in the city and took off to include the temporary installation of an enormous ‘Ghost Sign’ conveying the title of The Cranberries first album ‘Everyone Else is Doing it, So Why Cant’t We?’ opposite the venue the band played their very first gig. With tremendous support and contributions from all band members and countless individuals and local businesses, 3rd level institutions, two arts council festivals and the energies of invited lettering artists from home and abroad this project showcased the cultural contribution of not only Limerick city but the global art of traditional sign writing and hand painted lettering and the relationship with other creatives and communities which helped raise funds through large scale public art installations and auctions for local charities. This aged and distressed sign titled ‘Ghost Sign’ now is on permanent display in Limerick Institute of Technology ( L.I.T.)
FINE ART
Tom has worked on several unique fine art gilding projects with Irish artists including Dorothy Cross, John Shinnors, Martin Finnin and Tina O’Connell.
Sharing his skill set and creativity in many disciplines, Tom has produced signifiant digital directional sign work for EV+A, the Arts Council and Limerick City Council Arts Office and other City & County Council approved promotional campaigns for ambitious civic/art projects.
RESTORATION & CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Tom works with Conservation Architects and specialist consultants in Limerick, Cork and Mayo County Councils on restoring and preserving historical projects which have included Christ Church ( now a beautiful theatre and concert venue as part of the Triskel Arts Centre Cork ) and King John’s Castle and Cork Goal to name but a few.