SK SIGNS, DESIGNS & MARKETING

A Mutually Successful Partnership

story by KATE PARDEE HAMILTON         photos by JOHN WOLLWERTH

When people walk into the loftlike SK Signs, Designs & Marketing office, located behind the Shed Building in Port Royal, they are immediately wowedby the many printed and multicolored design examples hanging on the walls. The office space feels more like a work-in-progress hip art gallery with murals and signs inciting your curiosity to find out more about the businesses from which they originate. Looking at all of this, you might find it a bit more surprising that proprietor Shawn Hill began his career as a restauranteur, managing many restaurants in the Savannah and Beaufort area.

His professional story, however, begins near Houston, TX. In 1990, Shawn moved from Columbus, GA, to Texas for the summer, where his Uncle owned several Sonic Drive-Ins. Shawn worked that summer as a line cook where he says he “got the bug.” “At that time, design was not in my head, but I was happy to hone and learn strong professional skills.” He then quickly rose through the ranks to become a manager. During this time, Shawn was instrumental in assisting with social media for Sonic Drive-Ins. However, he had no technical training, but his innate curiosity, strong instincts, and intense study of how-to videos made for a natural transition and self-taught education. Upon moving to Beaufort in 1997, Shawn continued working for Sonic Drive-In, where he was involved in their first franchise opening in Beaufort. He eventually became Director of Operations and oversaw 14 locations throughout the designated Savannah market area.

Shawn enjoyed working in the restaurant field, where not only did he like the “emotional experience of working with both customers and co-workers,” but he also realized that “branding and marketing were an essential part of the business.” At 40, and feeling like he had outgrown his then professional work, he started to look forward to a new experience. Design and marketing were “still a fire in his belly,” so he felt it was time to make a professional change.

In 2014, Shawn started to work with David Felver of Felver Design Sign Studio. There, he learned from Felver about “The fact that sign design doesn’t lend itself to classical design because of size — think of a letterhead to a giant banner,” Shawn explained. During this time, he also met his equally creative wife, Kelly, through Twitter and both discovered their mutual interests and a similar sense of humor through friends. She moved from California to Beaufort in 2010, and they were married in July 2014.

As Shawn continued to work at Felver Design Sign Studio, he and Kelly also pursued new clientele for their design partnership. Shawn then bought Felver’s sign business in 2016. He decided it would be renamed SK Signs, Designs & Marketing, reflecting Shawn and Kelly’s partnership. As Shawn says, “Kelly was essential in every aspect of this development, and although still involved in the creative work, she also handles the billing and invoicing.”

As the business grew, Shawn became interested in creating and producing film and video. With a diverse array of clients, including The Town of Port Royal, City of Beaufort, Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Beaufort’s Island Lavender Co., they’ve added real estate businesses, Brody’s Bar and Grill, and Beaufort Memorial Hospital as well as Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Shawn is likely the person you see, quietly in the background, holding his Fuji Film camera X-T3 or T4. You can see his commitment and creativity in every shot in the frame. Shawn favors the Fuji Film camera because “it works for both film and as a camera.” Shawn is the creative producer of each project, design, lighting, set, and voice-over. An example of Shawn’s expertise is evident on the website for the Friends of Port Royal Cypress Wetlands, www.friendsofportroyalcypresswetlands.org, where you’ll find Shawn’s Rookery Roots video series. Additionally, Shawn’s work includes Beaufort Office of Tourism videos and local events, including the Port Royal Soft Shell Crab Festival among others.

It doesn’t stop there. Take a walk or drive down Parris Avenue and have a look at the breathtaking outdoor sign on the brick at Maynard’s Ice Cream and Donut Shop. Designed and created in the retro style of a vintage postcard where the ink in the colors is slightly muted, but the message is clearly expressed. “It was quite a lot of hard work getting it installed,” he explained. “The sign is made from four equal panels of 16’ x 20’ vinyl.”

The business grew, and SK Designs has now hired Anthony Junker, who brings his fresh and youthful perspective. Shawn shares, “Anthony is an incredible visual guy who is also a movie buff.” He knows a lot about the process of angle moviemaking and video editing.” Anthony works side by side with Shawn and handles a lot of the day-to-day operations. He’s become an integral part of the business.

Of course, SK Designs would not exist without Shawn’s wife, Kelly, who handles the social media for more than 100 clients, including Uno Pizzeria & Grill and Sonic. “I would never be able to do any of it without her.” He shares, “Kelly also likes to tease me for watching too many on-line videos for inspiration.”

In this world of ever-evolving social media, Shawn offers his clients this advice: “Don’t be afraid to tell me what you want.” Guiding his clients on what design and social media is the right one for them is crucial. He is committed to helping them find their way.

Next on Shawn’s agenda is more documentary work, which Shawn loves to see “from fruition to completion.” Among his projects, he is working on a film — especially for his 18-year-old daughter, Rylee, and his 26-year-old son, Blake — to show them his work, life experiences, successes, and struggles. “I would have loved to have seen and shared those experiences with my late mother.”

Shawn loves living in Beaufort and experiencing the authentic hometown vibe of the community. Often, when he is doing an outdoor work installation, he is greeted with waves and hellos by friends as they are driving by. He and Kelly strive to increase their client list and keep their stellar reputation growing. Their clean, highly creative design style and social media prowess are unique and always specialized for their clients’ needs, making for a mutually successful partnership.