Our master fabricator, Jacob Bolin, won third place in the Sign Builder Illustrated 2025 contest! Here is the article from the April issue of Sign Builder Illustrated.
Jacob Bolin, 26, made an immediate impact at RiNo Sign Works in Denver, Colorado with his degree in Environmental Product Design from University of Colorado Boulder. Bolin brings an eye for design, problem solving skills and high craftsmanship to his role as lead fabricator at the shop.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have talented young employees like Jacob. It’s rare to find someone with his level of work ethic, dedication, and commitment to quality. He understands that exceptional craftsmanship comes from hard work and discipline, never cutting corners and always striving for perfection,” says Willis Wood, partner, RiNo Sign Works. “What truly sets Jacob apart is his willingness to speak up when something isn’t quite right or could be improved—making him an invaluable asset to our team and a game-changer in our fabrication process.”
Bolin has been an integral part of many installations for RiNo, the signage package for Blue Bear Waste Services in Denver, Colorado was a perfect example of the value he brings to the company.
“This sign was a complex build, and Jacob played a key role in every stage of fabrication. Midway through the process, we encountered an unexpected challenge that required a completely different installation approach. Jacob was instrumental in determining the necessary modifications to enhance the sign’s structural integrity, ensuring a safe and secure installation,” says Wood. “He also meticulously ensured that the halo-illuminated channel letters and illuminated acrylic push-through letters and logos were both visually accurate and fully functional. While Jacob wasn’t directly involved in the installation, his expertise and dedication were essential to the successful fabrication of the sign.”
“Blue Bear was a bear in every way. Massive, terrifying but beautiful, and a hard fight. The sheer size, install limitations, and complex assembly all required some serious creative problem solving and a highly capable team,” says Bolin. “Fortunately, the Rino shop specializes in fighting bears!”
His special touch was also utilized in signage projects for Winter Park Resort’s Employee Housing Signage and for custom light fixtures at banks throughout the state, among other things.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have talented young employees like Jacob. It’s rare to find someone with his level of work ethic, dedication, and commitment to quality. He understands that exceptional craftsmanship comes from hard work and discipline, never cutting corners and always striving for perfection,” says Wood. “What truly sets Jacob apart is his willingness to speak up when something isn’t quite right or could be improved—making him an invaluable asset to our team and a game-changer in our fabrication process.”
Bolin’s lighting work for a bank in Montana.