Life & Work with Daylan Langford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daylan Langford. 

Hi Daylan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
For me, the interest in creative design and building started early. By the age of 10, I had envisioned a pretty solid path to be a furniture builder specializing in woodwork. By 16 I was completely sick of high school and felt like I was wasting time when I could be starting my woodworking career. My creative jewelry-making Father had an accomplished woodworking friend that allowed me to apprentice at his shop. I learned a lot over the year I spent working in the shop as an extra hand. Due to his dying mother out of state the woodshop shut down for a while leaving me needing a job. Little did I know that would open up a great opportunity for me, this time from my mother’s friend. He had a buddy in Nashville that was having trouble finding reliable staff for a growing family sign business in his basement. I had a phone call interview on a Sunday night – I was hired on the spot for Monday morning…17 years later as an accomplished sign sales, designer, builder, and estimator I had helped among others build this small family sign business into a big thriving business that was able to move out of the basement into a 10,000 square-foot shop downtown and higher on all kinds of help. When it became clear I was working this job as if it was my own business with no indication or ability to make it my business, it was with a heavy heart that I walked away in December of 2018 to go full time with my idea for DAYLAN’S DESIGNS. fortunately, my networking and connections and honest work ethic over the years in town paid off significantly. I have had a customer following of some of the very best architects, engineers, and developers this state has to offer. It is my pleasure not being well known but having my products used, seen, and appreciated in community after community that I work. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In my architectural, structural sign design world there’s always obstacles but that’s the fun of the job. Starting my business was not challenging because the work needed to produce my products or how I would get clients oh no no no, it’s the Government Entities that creates obstacles to prevent entrepreneurs from competing. Fortunately, I have an amazing accountant named Michelle Griggs that keeps me straightened out That way. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
There’s a reason why my logo say Daylan’s Designs Custom Everything. I specialize in CAD designs for stone, wood, glass, and steel architectural features mostly monument signs but I also build custom gates, sunshades, pergolas, wire suspension railings for custom homes. 

Thus far the pinnacle of my Sign creation would be the Hillside Center in Nolensville Tennessee. I really got to go wild using roughly 40 tons of Tennessee limestone that was excavated from the site in conjunction with steel and glass for floating letters. 

My 20+ years of technical abilities in the realm of designing and building combined with my knowledge of the permitting process and municipalities requirements -Not to mention I use the most up-to-date technology with augmented reality where I can project my designs in location for my clients to see before purchase… The competition just can’t compete. 

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The best resource for me to live my best life is my network of family and friends that includes multiple mentors in that group. I’ve tried to surround myself with the people that are living life to the fullest. There are two apps that I use in my business that I highly recommend for creative types Picsart and Shaper3d. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Daylansdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/custom_made_monuments?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daylansdesigns/

Image Credits
Daylan Langford