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ashensunset - 11 May 2011 06:10 PM

I saw in the email that the display height restriction was 6’, but there was no clarification if this was from the floor (as in many comic conventions) or from the table’s surface (as in some anime conventions).  Can someone please clarify?

Posted the answer over in the big thread, but in case it gets lost, I’ll answer it here too. It also clarifies in the email I’m told.

It is 6ft from the floor. We are trying to get some sort of yardstick or measuring device for the artist alley staff to have on hand during the convention. No guarantees though.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

[quote author=“Cels”][quote author=“ashensunset”]I saw in the email that the display height restriction was 6’, but there was no clarification if this was from the floor (as in many comic conventions) or from the table’s surface (as in some anime conventions).  Can someone please clarify?

Posted the answer over in the big thread, but in case it gets lost, I’ll answer it here too. It also clarifies in the email I’m told.

It is 6ft from the floor. We are trying to get some sort of yardstick or measuring device for the artist alley staff to have on hand during the convention. No guarantees though.

6ft from the floor is a ridiculous height. I cannot set up a useful display with that height and still be seen to assist customers whether I am sitting or standing. The tables are going to be at least 30 inches above the floor to begin with. That’s 2.5 feet. That only gives 3.5 feet or less of display height. Every other con I have seen has made a clear and reasonable restriction of “5 feet above the table.”

Are you absolutely sure “from the floor” is not a typo from the person that set the rule? If this is what was intended then I hope the artists are given extra floor space for setting up displays so they can actually make use of that height restriction.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

Unfortunately, the 6’ from the floor rule isn’t a typo - it is a perfectly reasonable height considering the size of the tables. A 6’ wide table with a display height of 6’ seems reasonable, and well within the SPIRIT of what Artists’ Colony is about (the discussion about display height was broached when we walked through the Artists Alley at AnimeBoston, where we had to crane our necks up to see what table we were at because some of the banner heights and displays were incredibly high and we often feared for our safety as some of the table displays look close to collapsing or falling over. Safety hazards are bad for everyone) - we’re also not currently intending to provide additional floor space for artists to set up displays - from that sounds of things what you really need is a BOOTH and not a TABLE - we don’t sell booth space by the square foot in Artists’ Colony, booth space is sold in the Dealers Room, we sell Artists’ Colony Memberships which include one half table space and a chair.

Exhibitors in the exhibit hall that have 10’ x 10’ booths and use 8’ tables RARELY go above 8’ in display height (occasionally they get up to around 10’ in height). The displays in the dealer’s room are built from the floor up so they are more stable, and fit within the confines of their booth space.

I will revisit the height restriction with the Artists’ Colony staff before the convention and get their input - we’ll take some measurements of commonly used table displays and come up with what we feel is a reasonable and safe display height that fits within the SPIRIT of Artists’ Colony.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

I can see how this is going to play out because I have seen the same thing happen at a number of other cons already.  The Artist Alley (or Colony) staff makes a large number of sweeping rules changes including; height restrictions, fanart bans or limitations, restrictions on space behind or around the table… you name it.  These changes are likely made with the best intentions such as promoting safety, original art, and easing clutter.  The problem is they are also very restrictive, serve to drive down sales and ensure the fans have a less enjoyable time.  Many artists complain (rightly so) but ultimately conform to the rules.  Even if their display was perfectly sound and stable they lower it to the height limit, they limit their fanart sales, they live without leg room to make sure they are using no space around the table. 

Here is the problem:  some artists DON’T follow the rules whatsoever.  They have nice tall displays (now some of the only ones), they sell anything they want in whatever quantities they feel like, and regardless of merit they rake in many times the amount of sales of the rule abiding artists.  No big surprise, they have every advantage.  But what does the staff do?  Nothing.  They made the rules harsh so that people will err on the side of caution.  They don’t tell artists with wobbly displays to take them down, they figure if they are lower _when_ they fall they will do less damage.  They don’t go around checking at the con who is selling what, they have their hands full with other things.  So this leaves the rules followers feeling like they were stupid for not just doing their normal setup which has worked at a number of other cons in the past.  Then maybe they don’t come back the next year.  Too much of a hassle, too many other cons to choose from, and the artist alley (colony) shrinks in size and quality, tables are left empty and attendees go home less happy.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

Dave,

Our plan this year is to HEAVILY enforce our rules policies this year, anyone in violation of the rules will be given ONE warning, if they are found in violation of the rules again they will be REMOVED from the convention without refund for breaking the rules, if they refuse to listen to our request, we WILL do whatever is required to have them removed from the premises for breaking the rules we’ve set in place to protect the spirit of the Artists’ Colony.

For the past few years Artists’ Colony displays have been getting larger and larger - to the point that it has become a large enough problem that we’ve had to tackle it head on - the size of the displays just don’t belong in the Artists’ Colony, they belong in the dealer’s room. These enormous displays block line of sight to other artists’ tables and don’t fit within the spirit of the traditional Artists’ Colony, we’re making a move to bring back the traditional Artists’ Colony - where artists are there to share in their community and display their talents to anyone interested.

The artists that you’re speaking of belong in the dealer’s room, they’ve outgrown the Artists’ Colony (or alley) and refuse to make the adjustment because a booth costs more and they’d rather make the extra money instead of make the move that is not only better for them, but also better for the Artists’ Colony.

     

Ulithig - 06 June 2011 03:54 PM

Here comes my two cents!!!

I’d prefer an enforced hight restriction! I’ve gone to some cons where it looks like some sort of billboard canyon which just looks tacky! On the flip side I’ve done shows with very tight rules that look very professional. Everyone does well at these professional looking events and helps with reputations.
Personally I’ve found many inventive ways to save space on my table but display more. One thing I see the professional/BETTER artists do is create BOOKS of their work! People will flip through them and select the images they want. Now when I say books I mean nicely made portfolio type books not some binder from walmart you got during a “back to school sale”.
For those artist that don’t deal with printed art like myself, I found putting a selection out but not EVERYTHING out also works. Many times I don’t put everything out and swap pieces out throughout the day. It makes the experience more enjoyable for the guests because they will likely see some thing new the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time they come around instead of all the same old same old (avoiding the “oh yeah .that table ... AGAIN”) 
Also on the not of the huge billboard style “displays” .. I hate having a table next to them because I always feel like they a TRYING to block people from seeing me and others. This might not be their intention but that’s what it feels like.

like I said   :::throws in my 2 cents ::::

not only do the huge displays block other artists, they receive a good deal more attention.  I mean it’s great that they’ve found a way to promote themselves but not at the expense of others.  Some of my friends have a respectable display that isn’t obnoxious or too tall but still manages to display all of their prints.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

Man, this height restriction stuff is all news to me.

I’m going to have to rethink my entire display from last year. I’m about a foot or so over the restriction with my current setup.

Is the AC staff planning to send out an e-mail with these new restrictions? I this an e-mail I missed or something? Seem like important information we should know before the con so we can plan accordingly.

EDIT: Oh, I see there is a main post here in the forums. Still might be useful to make this year’s new information/restrictions available in an e-mail to AC participants before Thursday. I don’t think every instinctively checks the forums. I know I haven’t been recently.

     

enshogirl - 05 July 2011 11:13 AM

Man, this height restriction stuff is all news to me.

I’m going to have to rethink my entire display from last year. I’m about a foot or so over the restriction with my current setup.

Is the AC staff planning to send out an e-mail with these new restrictions? I this an e-mail I missed or something? Seem like important information we should know before the con so we can plan accordingly.

EDIT: Oh, I see there is a main post here in the forums. Still might be useful to make this year’s new information/restrictions available in an e-mail to AC participants before Thursday. I don’t think every instinctively checks the forums. I know I haven’t been recently.

These rules were sent out with the announcement that registration would be opening shortly.

We have amended the rule to be 6’ from the floor for a floor display or 4’ from the top of the table for a table based display.

     

Re: Height Restriction.

Oh, I see. That was a while ago.