Category: Signage

Animated Water

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 has to be one of the coolest clocks to ever… Read more »

First a Sign; then Streetscape Icon; Now Art

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 Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, sharing the stage with… Read more »

Historic Building Marker – Shanghai-style

This elaborate bronze casting identifies and celebrates a historic building in Shanghai’s Jingan neighborhood. Quite a contrast with the simple rectangular markers seen on historic structures in the US.

No Sign for Stimulus

The Ohio State Senate has passed a measure banning signs that tout federal stimulus spending. Construction signs promoting public realm improvements, and their politician sponsors, are common around the US, but apparently not in Ohio if the federal government is involved.

Type on the Go

In this era of digital printing and dynamic messaging, the simple picket sign still manages to attract attention and deliver eye-catching content. Made from inexpensive materials, the signs can be produced quickly and scaled to fit any message. The objective is to deliver a message that will not be eclipsed… Read more »

Sticker Shock

Graffiti is bad and deservedly gets its share of public shame, and, hopefully, legal penalties, but what about those awful stickers? The self-adhesive promotional stickers handed out at clubs, skateboard shops and music stores have become a new kind of urban blight. Ironically, the slacker kids that stick them on… Read more »

Designer’s Inspiration #1

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 and sculpture, but this one stands out because of its… Read more »