Back in the day, this charming jewelry store would be wrapped in neon. But, alas, LED illumination has taken over nearly everywhere, even here, in Macau, China. Chinese characters that once were expressed in classic single-stroke exposed neon tubes are now drawn with flat soul-less miniature LED units. Yes, such… Read more »
While we like creative plantings in the urban streetscape, a pot should be in scale with its plant. It will be years until this modest palm can hold its own in this huge planter.
Period typography and decorative lines combine to make this otherwise generic car repair building special. Unlike contemporary applied signage, these elegant ‘cast-in’ letters with ‘paint fill’ color lend both a sense of permanence and purpose. The entire building is a well-composed graphic design. Note how the forms of the E… Read more »
Early merchant signs, especially in Europe, often featured objects or icons hung over the walkway. These ‘picture’ signs had few if any words, depending instead on images of the goods or service being offered to attract customers. The principle still works today as seen in this handsome optometrist sign in… Read more »
Wayfinding designers often employ color-coding to help organize information. But usually, such colors have no intrinsic meaning, only learned associations, i.e., the colors differentiating levels in a parking garage. Other colors have strong associations with expected or desired behaviors. Here we have both the learned meaning blue, for accessible parking… Read more »
In the ever-increasing world of virtual information, web sites and apps, it’s nice to see and experience actual posted notices, flyers, ads posters, and other ephemera. And the color and slightly chaotic appearance adds much to the streetscape. Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Bike racks come in all shapes and sizes, but this one is a call-to-action sign. The elegant READ BOOKS letters mounted in the plaza at Salt Lake City’s new library not only function as bicycle racks and invite you to read, but also form an engaging civic sculpture.
It’s always good to present interpretive panels in protective and flattering enclosures, but this overbuilt structure in Oregon could house a family of four. Over 280 (!) linear feet of 12×12 timber, raftered roof system on a decorative concrete plaza – all to bring the visitor eight modest and monochrome… Read more »
Here’s a 3,000 sq.ft. two-store retail building in exclusive Newport Beach, California. We can’t even count all the signs degrading the humble structure — and the neighborhood. How many of the signs are strictly legal? Probably the freestanding pylon and two or three on the building. Another example of declining… Read more »
In a mere 200 ft. down river this seemingly tranquil stream becomes the raging Salt Creek Falls, the second biggest waterfall in Oregon. We assume you just have to know about it – this humble warning sign, nearly hidden in the shade, doesn’t exactly shout out Danger!