Category Archives: Placemaking

Canada Color

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Hunt Design

Colored Space? No. The steel columns and pots in this public building are pure white; the floor dark grey. The rainbow of rich color is light transmitted through multi-colored translucent panels. And the effect changes during the day as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Placemaking | Leave a comment

Animated Water

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Hunt Design

Using a “water printer” to control the droplets, this fountain not only displays time and station information, but shows a wide range of artistic patterns and visual tricks to sustain the interest while waiting for your metro to arrive. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Destinations, Placemaking, Signage, Typography | Leave a comment

First a Sign; then Streetscape Icon; Now Art

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Hunt Design

Designed around 1900 by architect Hector Guimard, this art nouveau subway design has been defining Parisian streetscapes ever since – over 80 of these elegant gateways survive. This original example now holds court in the sculpture garden at the National … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Branding, Outdoor, Placemaking, Signage, Typography, Urban, Wayfinding | Leave a comment

Low-end Information Kiosk

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Hunt Design

Providing many of the features of a slick big-city or national park kiosk, is this modest homemade information stand seen in rural Oregon. It has a map, destination lists, visuals and explanations of local attractions, a place to post notices … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Destinations, Mapping, Outdoor, Placemaking | Leave a comment

Designer’s Inspiration #1

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Hunt Design

There’s a beautiful sculpture in Glendale CA, not far from Hunt Design. The simple structure is a 24-foot tall, stacked address number, in Helvetica Bold, and painted lime green. There are many address numbers that blur the line between signage … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Outdoor, Placemaking, Resources, Signage, Typography, Urban | Leave a comment

Adaptive Re-use A+

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Hunt Design

Creative and profitable re-use of underutilized commercial property is all the rage these days, but seldom do you see examples as literal and successful as this gas station-now-taco stand in Pasadena. The design is smart and minimal – just add … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Destinations, Outdoor, Placemaking, Signage, Urban | 1 Comment

Chuck & Ruth’s Delly

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Hunt Design

A dozen top theme park art directors could not come up with a place like this beloved and wacky restaurant. Festooned wall to wall and front to back with posters, photos, historic objects, menu suggestions and colorful objects, the ‘delly’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Destinations, Placemaking, Urban | 1 Comment

Color in the Marina

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Hunt Design

Small bits of animated color add much to any environment. Color provides depth, definition and drama to otherwise neutral vistas. Color is counterpoint and contrast. Take out color and the resulting monochrome scene is just not the same.

Posted in Branding, Outdoor, Placemaking, Wayfinding | Leave a comment

Something Happened Here

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Hunt Design

They’re everywhere. On walls, in the sidewalk, on bridges, in parks and on statues. Bronze plaques commemorating somebody or something are familiar and friendly elements of the streetscape. Easy to overlook, and sometimes boring to read, these cast metal panels … Continue reading →

Posted in Architectural, Branding, Destinations, Placemaking, Typography, Urban | 1 Comment

Oracle Bones

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Hunt Design

Oracle Bones By Peter Hessler (Harper Perennial) If you want to understand what’s happening in China – the single greatest urban migration and most massive urban development in history – this book is for you. In this rich first-person account … Continue reading →

Posted in Destinations, Placemaking, Resources | Leave a comment