No translations needed here. A red hexagon at an intersection means the same thing in dozens of countries.
Shape and color communicate in any language.
Category: Urban
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 »
Garage Sale Wayfinding Program
These homemade signs demonstrate many of the principles of effective wayfinding: simple wording, large clear font choice, strong use of color, repetition and consistency of design elements. And shaping each sign as the directional arrow is brilliant.
But, what if I want a blue man, or even a purple one?
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.
City Musicscape
Norwegian director, André Chocron, installed a number of cameras across a small Oslo hamlet, filming the city’s architecture throughout the night until the early dawn. The video captures residents going about their lives, turning lights on and off in their apartments. What makes this video special is the post-production editing… Read more »
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 »
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 »
Pay Phones – a Lonely Remnant
Another vanishing piece of the streetscape is the pay phone. Over thirty years or so we’ve gone from Superman-style phone booths to compact aluminum phone boxes to, well, nothing. The mobile phone has finally killed off this formerly friendly and reliable form of street furniture. The few remaining pay phones… Read more »
Which way to the Metro?
Avoiding ambiguity is an obligation of good wayfinding. These mismatched and haphazard signs not only exhibit a lack of clarity, but also don’t do a lot for the Metro image.