GDE720 GeoType Wall by Falmouth Flexible

May & Wade

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 18:29:15 UTC

This sign on the side of the ‘Eagle Warehouse’ on French street was painted around the time that the building opened (circa 1903).

The hand painted letterforms are characteristic of the period and reflect the humble beginnings of typography as an applied physical skill. The letters change their shape and style on each new line suggesting that at this point in history uniformity of form was less important than the ability the letterforms had to convey the desired message. Despite being applied directly onto brick the sign was clearly well made and has survived very well for over a century.

Peacock Farm Pub & Restaurant

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:16:11 UTC

Peacock Farm is a pub located where one of the old structures used to be before it was turned into a housing estate. It has some beautiful golden letters affixed to it spelling out Peacock Farm; the pub is named after the area it once was, sticking to its history.

By revamping an older structure it preserves the history of the location while adding a sense of class. There are also bigger, hand-painted letters that spell out Peacock Farm. This is a lot larger than other signage because the idea was that drivers needed to see it from the road.

More images available on my blog post.

Peacock Farm Location

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:23:37 UTC

The Peacock Farm, Peacock Lane, Bracknell , RG12 8SS

John Nike Leisure Centre

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:24:11 UTC

John Nike Leisure Centre has been located here since 1979, I can remember coming here as a child. Only recently have I noticed the huge block letters on the side of the building that says 'The Country's First Olympic and International Size Ice Rink'.

Everyone who lives in Bracknell knows that there is an ice rink here, although people who travel here may not know that this was the UK’s first Olympic sized rink. That’s a big deal, and something to hang on to for historic purposes and value to the owners if it were ever sold to another company.

John Nike Leisure Centre Location

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:25:02 UTC

John Nike Leisuresport, John Nike Way, Amen Corner, Binfield, Bracknell, RG12 8TN

Bracknell Post Office

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:26:21 UTC

The town centre in Bracknell was built initially in the 60s, then regenerated gradually as bigger businesses started to come in, and then a full revamp in 2017 with the introduction of The Lexicon.

The post office was located in a pretty building, and you can tell that there were plans to have it stay there for a long time because the exterior design included the words ‘Post Office’ carved into the stone surround of the door. Even though the post office was relocated after the regeneration, the stone doorway remains there until someone else decides to take residence there.

More images available on my blog post.

Bracknell Post Office Location

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:27:36 UTC

5 High Street, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1DH

Arlington Square

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:28:27 UTC

Arlington Square is a small complex of buildings that house multiple businesses in one place. On the infamous Twin Bridges roundabout in Bracknell, there is a sign with a small water feature behind it with chrome lettering spelling out Arlington Square.

Some would say that the sign is dated and old, but everyone knows what the Arlington Square sign is because it’s been there long enough to be recognisable and is supported with a water feature to make it more memorable. If it were ever to be removed, some people would be upset as it is part of Bracknell's history.

Arlington Square Location

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:28:53 UTC

A329, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1NU

Bracknell Town Centre Underpass Murals

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:30:19 UTC

The typography in this example isn’t overly noticeable and you have to stop and look for it to see it. This particular underpass in Bracknell gets a lot of traffic daily and every time I go through I try to find something that I recognise.

The murals have been there a long time and they are re-touched now and then when parts have faded away or there has been a graffiti attack on it. These are part of the town centre’s history which is why they have not been removed even after the opening of the newly designed town centre.

More images available on my blog post.

Bracknell Town Centre Underpass Location

RachelWise — 2020-01-27 19:31:11 UTC

High Street, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1DR

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:45:09 UTC

The Canute

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:45:34 UTC

Highly unusual decorative characters adorn the side of this mid 19th century building near the Southampton waterfront.

The top and bottom of each letter curls outward, in some places forming a kind of volute anchoring the text to the decorative border. The ornate and intricate stonework would have been intended to suggest luxury and comfort to potential patrons passing by.

The building itself, has seen better days and the complicated letterforms have now become a trap for dirt produced by nearby cars and cruise ships – something that would not have been a consideration when the building was first erected.

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:48:44 UTC

Black Label

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:49:10 UTC

Hung on the side of an inconspicuous building in a forgotten corner of Southampton's city centre, this sign's solid rounded letterforms tell a story about the area's history.

Black Label was the original name given to Carling beer when it was first introduced to the UK in the 1950s, the name stuck for many years but the branding was eventually updated in 1997.

Although it's slowly flaking away the battered sign reveals that the residential building it adorns was likely once a pub - probably frequented back then by dock workers and those working on the nearby industrial estate.

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:53:07 UTC

High & Mighty

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:53:32 UTC

Barely visible against an off-white facade, the remnants of this shop sign could easily escape your gaze as you walk along Queensway in Southampton's city centre.

Many of the shops along this promenade are long since closed, unable to compete with larger stores and rising rent in this area. The only shop that remains open is an off-license; High & Mighty themselves now only exist as an online venture.

Made in a time before modern sign fabrication techniques were available; the spectre of these letterforms are pock-marked -revealing the places where the individually made characters would have originally been attached.

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:54:30 UTC

JUNKHAUS

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:55:02 UTC

These posters were hung in an underpass that runs below the Itchen Bridge. At first they appear to be posters for a club night or event but a thorough search reveals it to be a local street artist's work.

The use of thick, textured letterforms on the posters creates a rich patterned surface which is complimented by the repetitive way that they're applied to the wall. The bloated sans-serif text is roughly analogous of many nearby graffiti texts which is likely an intentional homage.

https://www.instagram.com/junk.haus/

cgwstewart — 2020-01-27 20:57:36 UTC

Town Moor Boundary Stone

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 21:58:24 UTC

This ‘bounder’ or boundary stone is a Grade II listed building and is part of a set of sandstone markers that surrounded the Town Moor in Newcastle upon Tyne. The stone dates from the late 18^th century and has clearly suffered due to weather however, the No. 44 on the top panel is still remarkably clear suggesting the craftsmanship involved. A classical, serif font has been hand carved into the stone which reflects the Roman heritage of the North East. The formal nature of the font indicates the stone's authoritative function and will have been replicated across the set of markers.

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:02:07 UTC

Haymarket Metro Station

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:02:36 UTC

The ‘Calvert’ typeface of the Tyne and Wear Metro can be seen across the North East. It is unusual for a transportation company as it is a slab serif typeface, yet the simple colour palette and boldness of the font makes it easy to read, no matter how it is displayed across the network. This example is from the 2009 rebrand and features machine cut lettering, the black and white is in keeping with the original visual identity of the Metro but the ‘strike through’ appearance gives a modern twist. One could argue that it has a solid, reliable appearance which provides passengers with reassurance.

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:05:15 UTC

Dex Garage

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:06:04 UTC

This example of architectural type is relief carved into the stone and is laid out vertically, reflecting the role of the building. The carpark opened in 1931, initially for chauffeured cars and the type shows characteristics of the Art Deco period in its clarity, elegance and in its placement within panels. At first glance the type looks square however, on looking closer the G, D and R are slightly curved and I like how the top arm on the G is cut off diagonally. Understandably due to the open location, there is some signs of weathering around the edges of the letters.

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:08:40 UTC

PSB Grill

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:14:26 UTC

These letterforms are bold, shiny and set at an oblique angle indicating the ‘fast’ nature of the food. Machine cut to look handwritten, it is already showing signs of wear with parts being broken off and a few of the letters have also twisted, resulting in some interesting kerning. I would suggest that this wear and tear is down to human influence rather than the weather given its location within the city. Raised from the background, the type has a naturally occurring shadow which varies depending on the available light. This feels like an accurate reflection of Newcastle’s ‘night life’ reputation.

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:27:40 UTC

John Hamilton, Boot Maker

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:30:06 UTC

I was going to crop this image but decided that there were too many interesting details. The way the descender of the A wraps around the M, the crossbars on the H, A and N all display a level of intricacy without obscuring the overall message of the sign, which was used to signify a business. The type is painted onto a shop window using gold leaf suggesting a sense of craft and luxury which is reflected not only in its surroundings, but it would also have been evident in the shop’s clientele. Interestingly the typography has outlasted the business by many years.

ha242774 — 2020-01-27 22:34:56 UTC

Static Water

ah239623 — 2020-01-28 17:11:30 UTC

This 'Fire Service static water < 18 yards' sign is hand painted on the side of a Housing Aid establishment's side brick wall. It looks to be white spray-painted using a stencil; and is purely informational for servicemen in time of emergency; hence the quick and easy application process. It is by design intentionally discreet, as the intended audience will be seemingly informed of signs of this nature. I have no idea of the age of the paint, and it remains in relatively good condition.

ah239623 — 2020-01-28 17:21:33 UTC

John Bonham Tribute

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 16:51:04 UTC

One of my favourite finds this week – a tribute to John Bonham, best known as the drummer from Led Zeppelin, who I this week discovered was born in Redditch! On 31 May 2018, on what would have been his 70th birthday, this bronze statue was unveiled in the town centre. It was created by sculptor Mark Richards, and weighs over 5000 lbs.

I just love the texture/layers to it – not sure how well this comes across on the photo but there’s something about this added depth that made me stop and study it, it feels like it has so much more character than had the writing been across one flat surface.

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 16:54:58 UTC

Little Malvern Tollhouse

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:00:46 UTC

Over the weekend I visited Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings which is just down the road from where I live. Avoncroft is an open-air museum of rescued buildings, and home to thousands of objects which reflect life and work in the Midlands. It seemed like a great starting point for this challenge 😊

This is one of the examples I photographed – the sign on the tollhouse, which was built in Little Malvern in 1822. The tollboard is a reconstruction based on examples of other tollhouses from around the same time. The reconstruction took place in 1985, I’d love to find some old photographs of the tollhouse to compare the sign to but I’m struggling to find anything!

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:01:48 UTC

WOSP

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:05:54 UTC

I spotted this sticker down a little side street in the town centre, and had to Google a translation. I then learnt that this is a sticker for the Great Orchestra Of Christmas Charity, a huge charity that was founded in Poland over 25 years ago but now has a global following.

I wanted to include this example in my final five as the town’s Polish community is an important part of our identity. Music is of course a big part of the annual event, and I love that even here in Redditch the bands perform in both English and Polish.

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:08:12 UTC

STREETLIFE

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:11:24 UTC

During Module 1 I spent some time exploring the history of Redditch town centre, and learnt that the town is very much divided by those who grew up in 'Old Redditch' and those who only remember 'New Redditch'. There is a lot of resentment from the generation who grew up in Redditch before the town centre was redeveloped, and who feel that the town has never been the same since.

During one of my walks this week, I stumbled across this on one of the plantpots in town. At the time I didn't know what it meant but I just really liked the fact that it was stencilled/cut-out, rather than just printed on. It was only when I looked into it later on that I discovered that Streetlife are a company who design and make benches, tree grilles, bollards etc. This felt significant given what I now know about Redditch and its history, as I was now able to identify exactly which parts of the open spaces in the town centre were part of 'New Redditch'. That's why I feel that this example is important to include as part of our identity - whether all the residents like it or not, this literally represents the physical parts of 'New Redditch' and our current town centre, which is our hub. During Module 1 I spent some time exploring the history of Redditch town centre, and learnt that the town is very much divided by those who grew up in 'Old Redditch' and those who only remember 'New Redditch'. There is a lot of resentment from the generation who grew up in Redditch before the town centre was redeveloped, and who feel that the town has never been the same since.

LittleA92 — 2020-01-29 17:15:23 UTC

Caution Cable Below

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 18:41:59 UTC

This random pole covered in 'Caution cable below' wrapping has been like this for over 3 years now. Interestingly the font chosen is a lovely narrow display font. Seemingly narrow to fit an increased amount of words within a short loop to maximise the coverage of the message.

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 18:44:35 UTC

Robert's Gentlemen's Hairdressers

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 18:45:48 UTC

This sign is at the side of a newsagents on a fairly busy Victorian street. It seems like a redundant hand painted mural-like sign for a previous institution. From the faded words, I think it reads "Robert's Gentlemen's Hairdressers" and is in a wonderfully characterful yet traditional script typeface.

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 18:51:54 UTC

No Parking

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 18:56:31 UTC

This 'No Parking' sign is painted on the outside of a church building in my local area. What I find most interesting about it is that most 'No parking' signs in the UK are printed on plague like signs; whereas this sign is hand-_painted and bold in appearance. The characters are uneven and it appears un-stencilled; so the writer was likely a semi-skilled signwriter. It's also clear that the area isn't particularly sensitive to uncontrolled painting on brickwork.

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 19:01:21 UTC

Masonry lettering

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 19:02:08 UTC

Nottingham is a relatively historic market town, and as such many old masonry engravings can be found dotted around the city on many Victorian and Georgian buildings. This particular image shows a stone block at the footing of a large building with what appears to be the building merchant's name engraved on to it. The text is now so worn and distorted it is hard to make out the exact lettering, but it appears to be a full caps serif typeface. Trustworthy, traditional, educated, informed.

ah239623 — 2020-01-29 19:10:42 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:47:24 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:51:59 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:52:24 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:54:10 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:54:44 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:55:29 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:56:01 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:58:54 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 19:59:36 UTC

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 20:03:26 UTC

A load of Cock and Bull

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 20:12:20 UTC

Stony Stratford is known for its pubs. In the late 18th, early 19th century it was a stop off point for mail and passenger coaches from London to the North. The saying, a cock and bull story is believed to have derived from the stories told between The Cock inn and the The Bull inn next door. The large hand painted serif font is weathered, you can start to see the texture of the wood emerging in the areas out of the shelter of the guttering. The text is hand painted in the same way the sign would of been painted to keep the same historical feel.

Keeping History Alive

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 20:14:48 UTC

The Liverpool & London & Globe fire and life insurance company plaque still sits in the alley way just off the High Street in between an old-style sweet shop and a cafe. With the company being established in 1836, the plague is over well over 100 years old. The once bold text which would have advertised which fire service to use is now extremely worn and softened with some areas scratched and marked from the years of being on display. Around the plaque the walls are freshly painted displaying how important it is to keep Stony Stratford's history known.

Walk of History

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-29 20:39:12 UTC

Stony Stratford is very proud of its history and its link with Royalty. These Plaques are dotted around Stony Stratford on certain buildings with historical significance as a marker, similar to the blue plaques from English Heritage. The previous plaque written in old English font has now been updated with a clear and clean raised sans serif font to ensure they stand out on the buildings they are displayed on. I would be interested to see how they would work placed on the floor like the Hollywood walk of fame, the Stony Stratford walk of History.

SHOP LOCAL AND REPEAT

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-29 20:52:50 UTC

Mr and Mrs Deli migrated to dreary Newtown in 2015 and brought with them a passion for environmentally and economically friendly resourced food. Sourcing in food grafted and home grown from local farmers, wineries, vegetable gardens and ale distilleries. Their contemporary lettering works in conjunction with their equally crisp establishment, keeping an air of familiarity and friendliness. Pursue local suppliers, stay healthy and keep it simple.

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-29 20:56:53 UTC

Unknown Type Artist

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:01:50 UTC

I noticed this handwritten typeface just under the main sign of bar. This was a message that all pubs used to display. If you look closely you can see the ruled lines above and below the words which means the writer took real care in getting the words balanced. There seems to have been considered care taken to create the typeface also. I wonder was the writer a local designer or type artist or maybe just someone with an artistic talent. I love this typeface, It's quirky with a lot of character. It almost has a 1960's look to it but it doesn't feels 60's and is unique to this bar and the town. It ads subtle character to the town. I really appreciate the care taken to produce a unique typeface for such a nondescript message.

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:04:11 UTC

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:04:44 UTC

Graffiti Hotel

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 21:07:21 UTC

This is a panoramic photo of what used to be a hotel pool. From the numerous graffiti in this pool as well as the rest of the building, it is obvious that since the hotel closure 13 years ago, the area had been trespassed by virtually everyone. Personally, whilst walking there is brought back some bittersweet memories, however, from an artistic perspective, it has become somewhat of a showcase of street art and graffiti. The pieces shown in the photo are very diverse, yet all equally expressive in their own way, and they seem to complement one another and make up a very unusual typographic collage. Some pieces are made up of fluid letterforms, whilst others are rigid and polygonal. A very interesting juxtaposition indeed.

Type on The River

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:13:33 UTC

My hometown - Carrick-on-Shannon is built on the longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon. In it's early days it would have been a very important town for transporting goods and in later years hugely popular with boating tourists and fishermen. I took a walk along the quays and began to notice the type on the boats. While mostly cursive, this one stood out to me. It looks like an old German typeface. I’ve always found this kind of typeface to be very ‘stabby’, angular and fairly unapproachable. It does tell the story of tourists who’ve flocked to the town for years. I wondered if the owner was trying to elevate his boats status among all the others with their carefree script typefaces.

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:14:28 UTC

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 21:15:34 UTC

Wayfinding History

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:16:26 UTC

These signposts are dotted all around my hometown. They are used to direct people to mostly historically significant locations around the town such as the 'Old Gaol' (jail), The old Market Yard. The town has a history of stories from the famine - with old workhouses and jail where people suffered unimaginable cruelty. There is something respectably elegant about the signs with the use of the serif font and the Irish (Gaeilge) translation of the location. The typeface is slightly imperfect and has an 'Irish' look and feel to it. There is an emotional resonance that I immediately detect when I see these signs.

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:24:14 UTC

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:29:48 UTC

Weather shaped type

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:35:26 UTC

This is Ireland, there's lots of rain and lots of wind, especially on the river. If you are going to use vinyl to letter your message in the outdoors, the weather will get you. This was part of a No Parking sign on a gate. I like what time and the weather has done to this type, it has turned it into a new typeface. The peeling at the edges and the transformation into a different typeface, the gritty look and feel does suggest a town that has faced tough times, in the last decade or so, where smaller shops have struggled to stay open. You can see the ghost of the lettering underneath the peeling. The type is clinging on though, it's resilient and that does reflect this towns identity. "Even when the 'sign' is an accident of nature... the human is there in the recording eye..The images require us to dwell on time past and our collective place in it'" - Edward Fella.

dairet — 2020-01-29 21:38:11 UTC

Boho Logos and Type

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 21:58:29 UTC

Bongo Nyah is a bar and restaurant located along the promenade of Marsaskala. Just as the name suggests, its design is a bohemian themed restaurant. In the photo, one can see the organic typefaces used on the A-board and sign as one enters the restaurant. The bold lettering used for the logo alongside the hand-drawn type balances out the design on the board, making it eye-catching yet easy to read. I also liked this design as hierarchy is also applied. The logo and tagline of the restaurant sit at the top, then the three key elements that make up the brand persona of the restaurants are in block letters, making them more prominent whilst any additional details are placed accordingly.

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 22:06:31 UTC

Mejd wit lavv!

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 22:26:36 UTC

Whilst walking along the promenade, I am across this make-shift menu board, listing various food items and pricelists. Whilst one can appreciate the effort behind this masterpiece, the placement is slightly questionable… it is placed opposite two adjacent snack bars… and there is no name on the board. Some may laugh at the way whoever made this clearly does not give a care in the world about presentation, let alone principles of typography, but we can all admit that the it serves its purpose. It is also worth noting that if you look closely, prior to the taped sheets of paper, the menu was stencilled on the actual board. I cannot make much of it, except for the word ħobż meaning bread. It is the item and the price, what else is needed. And in case you missed it, the ricotta cannoli are special!

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 22:29:40 UTC

On the Road

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 23:02:30 UTC

This is a photo of the signage recently installed at the re-built Marsa Junction. As lanes and flyovers were added in this junction, proper signage was imperative. Just like any proper way-finding system, there is no room for aesthetics, but rather clarity of information should be prioritised in such cases. This way-finding system is no exception. One can see that the names of various towns are listed accordingly, accompanied with matching iconography indicating various premises one finds should the commuter be taking that direction. As some may be aware, in recent years, road signs are replacing the Helvetica typeface with a more humanist font – Highway Gothic. In Malta, old signs using Helvetica are still around, however they are slowly being replaced.

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 23:04:58 UTC

Throwback to 1999

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 23:25:01 UTC

Chapters was the place to be for the afterparty if you lived in the mid-90s and 00s. This has been closed down for a long time, but the outdoor sign and adjacent noticeboard stand tall till this very day. Considering how cringe-worthy graphic design tended to be during that time, I would say that whoever designed the logo did a pretty decent job. Simple yet bold font, a rare case where the Arial typeface is justified, white on a black background, that would of course light up at night. With that said, it is also worth noting the fact that the ‘S’ is upside-down and I only noticed it three days ago whilst going around taking pictures for this task. I will say that is was meant to be like that, although I have my doubts.

Lindsay92 — 2020-01-29 23:26:39 UTC

Room with a view

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 01:09:29 UTC

1851 Garvey Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803

There is definitely no migrating wildebeests to be seen here, no hanging gardens of Babylon. Maybe a view of a freeway.

I'm not sure if this is uniquely representative of Los Angeles, technically, it is Monterey Park, but it has a feeling of old West-coast Americana, Mid-century hopefulness, the soft script alluding to the Pacific ocean, with the bold sans serif, the large, confident, optimistic arrow. However, now it shows not the vintage patina of a classic, but a sombre, mournful dilapidation of a dream soured, its neon tube torn from its now empty sockets, it lights extinguished like the dream of a whole generation.

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 01:15:48 UTC

Pearly Gates

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 01:33:57 UTC

Las Perlas
107 East 6th Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90014

This sign is outside a mezcal bar called Las Perlas, its handcrafted, Mexican, Día-de-Muertos look leads to the belief that one has stumbled upon an authentic, traditional, Mexican cantina.

Of course this is not true at all, it is one of many bars owned by a corporation owned by a guy called Cedd, who while definitely not an old Mexican Cantina owner, might be an incredibly nice guy. And Las Perlas as a bar is fine, even good, unless you are transgender

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 01:48:39 UTC

Hooray for Hollywood

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 01:49:30 UTC

Mt Lee Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90068

This is a picture of the Hollywood sign. Honestly, it is, you can see it in the left-hand, lower corner, I drew a little arrow on the image to point it out. It must rank as one of the most famous pieces of typography, but as powerful an image that is to outsiders, its value in conveying the identity or culture of Los Angeles is smaller than its representation in this image.

Itis a former advertisement for racist real estate, and initially it read 'Hollywoodland. as it fell into disrepair, the 'land' slid of the hill, and the whole sign was nearly destroyed, until some rih Angelenos came to its rescue, so I guess it does, or did, mean something to locals.

The view of freeway signs, however, that is definitely something very Los Angeles.

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 02:21:28 UTC

Neon

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 02:27:55 UTC

Cranes Bar
810 S Spring St,
Los Angeles, CA 90014

I'm interested in how the look of a location, city, place, space changes based on night vs day, dark vs night. Crane's Bar is a small, divey bar literally built in a former bank vault. During the day the sign is not exactly unnoticeable, but it looks more like infrastructure than signage or typography. After dark, when the bar opens, the large metal contraption becomes invisible, and the name becomes a beacon. The animated steps add a lovely kitsch touch as well.

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 02:40:28 UTC

Stucco boxes

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 02:42:33 UTC

1519 Stoner Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90025

These, again, are not unique to Los Angeles, they can be found throughout the warmer parts of the United States, but they are somewhat iconic of Los Angeles. Typically, affordable apartment buildings with only a few units situated above a carport.

They are called dingbats for typographic reasons, these buildings would often have aspirational names such as 'Seabreeze Apartments' or 'Ocean View' even when miles from any breeze or ocean, they would also frequently have feature sunbursts or decorative elements, reminiscent of dingbats, which is how they got their name. (via Rayner Banham, I believe)

This particular building doesn't have any decorative elements, but I just enjoy the utter lack of originality of its name. It is also located on the street, of which it is said that it has the most street signs stolen every year.

jnotjay — 2020-01-30 02:53:23 UTC

Markings on the mooring posts at Penryn riverside wharf

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 12:24:20 UTC

Penryn River Users Association.
This is a stencilled lettering marked onto all of the mooring posts by the riverside wharf area of Penryn River. There are approx. 78 of these posts all showing varying degrees of weathering. The posts closer to the river mouth are obviously more weathered, as are the letters P and R on all posts as they orientate more seaward. Each post has the same initials, but with a different number, indicating the mooring number. It is clearly a stencil application due to the obvious breaks in the letterforms. It has a weighty chunk to it, which allows for a larger amount of paint to be applied, presumably to increase longevity.

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 12:46:24 UTC

Waratah House

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 12:52:26 UTC

This is lettering found painted on a sky light above the front door of a non-descript mid terrace house on a dull and busy road skirting Penryn. The lettering is a Blackletter Gothic style font in a dark green/black pallet. It looks old and forgotten. However the SS Waratah was a mysterious passenger ship built in 1908 for the UK Australia route. In 1909, on only its second voyage it vanished with 211 passengers and crew aboard. No trace of the ship has ever been found. Penryn by its nature has a long association with the sea and in its heyday was one of the most important ports for Cornish fishing, tin and copper. Traces of this wealth have all vanished now. As has the link this small terrace house has with the SS Waratah.

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 13:09:12 UTC

TATTOO EMOVAL AVA LABEL

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 13:14:06 UTC

Gavin Steele’s tattoo and body piercing studio is iconic in Newtown. The representation of tattooing is often looked down upon, classified as dirty yet whilst the rest of the street is closing down, this shop remains thriving. The bold typeface coloured in red, highlighted in black is brazen against the old tudor house. The circular print in the window is reminiscent of an old Ramones t-shirt I have at home, cited for defining the punk rock sound it’s uniqueness is evocative of this stand alone shop.

Kings Arms

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 14:03:30 UTC

Hand painted signage for the Kings Arm pub, down town, Broad Street Penryn. The colour palette certainly indicates the kind of establishment it is! In a rather grey one street town, this colouring unfortunately stands out quite a lot. Hand painted lettering in that old world, traditional style is particularly at odds with the jazzy ‘Thank you!’. The lettering is quite accurate, and I would imagine whoever painted it took quite some pride in their work.

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 14:11:16 UTC

Old Bank Studios

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 14:13:10 UTC

Old Bank Studios is home to contemporary jewellery designer Hannah Batstone. This signage represents a tiny element within the high street attempting to drag the shopfront aesthetic away from serifed tradition. This is lettering and signage on the shop front it clean and obviously seeks to convey modernity and minimalism. Hannah is fighting a tough war here. All capitals and not a serif in sight, she is almost shouting that she is not of the Penryn of old, she represents the new and the now. I appreciate her efforts.

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 14:18:07 UTC

PB

mail_ashleigh — 2020-01-30 14:19:00 UTC

The loveliness of masonry lettering. Public Bridleway marking posts, at the entrance to the Penryn to Flushing coastal path. This post are familiar to most and though they wear, are meaningful even in their appearance, even without the engraved lettering. As with lettering hewn into granite often the shadow cast provide the depth and legibility, but this also has some help extra green lichen growing inside the letters.

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 18:51:41 UTC

Bear House

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 18:51:56 UTC

Presently used and referred to as Bear lanes Shopping Centre, it was previously a Tudor style pub that was frequented by many of the locals. The newly designed sign uses classic font type whilst, being placed in a circular form. The creator is unknown and the date in which it was erected is also a mystery, if I hadn’t been searching for unique forms of typography it would remain unnoticed. Much like the original Bear House, it is only remembered by a few and viewed as something that has always been there.

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 18:53:11 UTC

Key Cutting

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 19:18:00 UTC

This sign is located on the highstreet but quite pointedly reflects the state of the town currently. It was a hybrid shop that consisted of an older gentleman cobbling shoes and cutting keys, until the beginning of this year. It’s faded bright colours are fitting in contrast to it’s torn edges and burnt effected pattern appearing in the outer corner. Considering it has been placed in the door window for years it seems allmost out of place with a town that consists of metal, iron and wooden typography signs.

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 19:19:34 UTC

The Black Boy

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 19:24:38 UTC

The Black Boy Pub has been a constant in Newtonian life, being a social gathering for most over the years. The classic, slightly slanted styled sign was the subject of a lot of controversy when it was proposed to change the name. Instead due to it being a listed building and notoriously haunted Wetherspoons overtook the franchise, modernising the inside of the building whilst keeping the local feel to the establishment.

charlottemeddins — 2020-01-30 19:25:30 UTC

Glass Lettering

dairet — 2020-01-30 20:53:13 UTC

Molly Woodward said, “Vernacular lettering and other forms of urban communication have a way of creating and preserving a sense of place and local culture, and serve as a marker of regional identity. They become symbols of our heritage and when these symbols disappear, our sense of place and who we are is diminished.” When I was growing up around town I used to see a quite a bit of this type of glass lettering on pubs and shops around the town. Its quite intricate and involves a craftsmanship that appears to be dying out as the town becomes swamped with depressing fascia typography installed by traders who know their lease may not last long due to a lack of business. These letterforms add a sense of place that others just cannot. The craftsmanship and the bespoke design speaks to a desire to keep the signage grounded in a local visual context. The lines connecting the type evoke a sense of community, pride, belonging and connection. I definitely think that this type of lettering and my first example above, subtly, even subconsciously, feed us information about the town that instills a unique sense of place.

dairet — 2020-01-30 20:54:44 UTC

different by design

michellelbrooks — 2020-01-30 22:01:51 UTC

This sign sits just off the High Street, a complete juxtaposition to the historical typography and calligraphy seen all around Stony Stratford. With dates in Stony Straftord going back to 1194 it has a different feel to the typography used for Milton Keynes having recently celebrated its 50^th birthday. I feel they have tried to mimic this with the playful font and bright colours for MK along with the lack of capital letters for Milton Keynes. The rest of the font is clean and clear for road visibility with the addition of circles, representing the many roundabouts of Milton Keynes.

Date stamp at The Blue Bell!

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:33:31 UTC

I have used this example to showcases the potential age of Bolsover. The characters and numbers are chiseled into the stone and I love the simplicity of it. Bolsover (from records), is first mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086. Origins of the town being a settlement date to 11th century when William Peverel was Lord of the Manor.

There are a few buildings in Bolsover with date stamps from the 17th century. This was the oldest one I could find. The sign doesn’t communicate Bolsover, but definitely gives a sense of an age/era. The limestone blocks it is fixed into are what the majority of buildings around Bolsover are made from. To me they shout Medieval town.

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:35:37 UTC

Show me the way to the Castle!

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:36:55 UTC

The signage used for the castle is very clear and functional, ‘it does what it says on the tin!’. Nice bold headings to define the way or place, with subtle subheadings to hint at what you might find. All the signs are done in this way. This makes them easy to find and the colours aren’t garish and blend with their surroundings.

I don’t think it communicates the castle or its age because it was built in the 14th century. Like most historical buildings they are owned and maintained by the English Heritage. The font choice/signage will fall under their brand guidelines. The sign is made from a coated metal, giving it longevity and making it easy to clean. This makes sure the info is never hidden or lost.

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:37:34 UTC

Keep the home fires burning with Coalite.

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:38:23 UTC

Bolsover is an old mining town. The use of red and yellow on this logo example is a clear representation of fire. The mining industry in Bolsover quadrupled the population between 1897 and 1901. The Coalite opened in April 1937 and was the largest works of its type in the world at the time. They produced smokeless fuel to combat smog around cities.

The site is nothing more than rubble now as there are plans to redevelop where it once stood. This bag along with a few derelict buildings are all that is left of a once booming site. The bag is made from plastic to keep the blocks inside dry. This along with the industry it once served is a dying thing and a sign of changing times.

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:40:37 UTC

Buildings! Buildings! And more Buildings!

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:40:53 UTC

Another example of typography which will be pre-determined by brand guidelines. Yellow sign with black text communicates a new building area. NOt just in Bolsover but also in the UK. All the signs remain the same to find and follow to the exact location.

Metal with vinyl overlay to stay clean and clear for the whole development to finish. This means they will not need to change or renew the signs. This sign signifies what is going to be a huge makeover for Bolsover. In the coming years, there are an estimated 2,000-4,000 new homes being built in and around Bolsover. The Hedgerows is one company planning new developments.

It literally is, ‘the sign of things to come!’

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:41:40 UTC

Come in it’s all handmade!

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:42:06 UTC

I absolutely love this example. I think the sign clearly communicates exactly what the business does. The name also works for what they do. The sign is also crafted from reclaimed wood using a stencil to hand paint the letters, perfect!

The area the business sits is called Old Bolsover Yard! There is a collection of small businesses in this old butchers yard. Bolsover is a big tourist location due to the castle. This means there are lots of cafes, food places, small pubs and little crafty shops like this one. Perfect for tourists to pick up something handmade in the area as a memory.

I spoke with the owner Damien. He said that they are doing an archaeological dig soon in an empty area next to his workshop. This is to try and uncover more evidence that Bolsover was also once a Roman settlement.

jsnarski80 — 2020-01-31 13:43:16 UTC

Hydrant

robin_schmich — 2020-01-31 21:00:04 UTC

This fire hydrant is in front of the National Theater Mannheim. It must have been around for several years. The weather causes the paint to flake off, resulting in a dramatic picture. Fitting to the theatre which is right next door. As my research has shown, the hydrant model is from the "Vereinigte Amaturen Gesmbh Mannheim" and can be dated back to 1938 (only the hydrant model). The type is very narrow and must have been designed for its use.

robin_schmich — 2020-01-31 21:10:37 UTC

Kurfürst Karl Theodore

robin_schmich — 2020-01-31 21:10:41 UTC

In typography, " Script Fonts" is a collective term for decorative printed matter and screen fonts whose design is based on calligraphic or handwriting. This examples dates back to 1736 and it is engraved into stone in front of the Jesuitenkirche St. Ignatius und Franz Xaver. The terminals have been replacement with long decorative swashes in the capital letters. This calligraphical example is full of swashes of all kinds; at the beginning, at the end and even in the middle, extending from ascenders. I believe the intention was to emphazise the the message that Elector Karl Theodore is the "Finisher of this house of God". To display his power and to boast of the outstanding achievement of completing this structure.

Mell Square

LittleA92 — 2020-02-01 20:41:40 UTC

In this final image, of the Mell Square sign just off Solihull High Street, there’s something about the contrast of the REPAIRS text hiding in the corner of the photo that I liked. It represents my local area very well, a mismatch of identities and old/new.

LittleA92 — 2020-02-01 20:45:04 UTC

TTC Typeface

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:27:30 UTC

It's clear and even though it is simple, it stands out against all of the other signage and graffiti throughout the city. It's the city's type grid. Hands down, this is Toronto's type.
Everywhere you go around Toronto, you can find this type. Typefaces are consistent and the main interface and navigation of the city itself.
This particular example is at Queen St. and University Ave., Downtown Toronto.

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:28:28 UTC

Graffiti Alley

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:29:29 UTC

Toronto is locally defined by its artisan community. Everyone is interested in the "local" movement. Even graffiti is now a local talent and if you're really into it, you'll search for the artists by their "tag" (graffiti name) and you can sometimes find them on instagram documenting their work and placement of it. Graffiti alley is just one main area of graffiti condensed. This stuff is all over the city.
Graffiti photos are from Graffiti Alley, Queen St. West, Toronto

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:31:46 UTC

Chalk Signs

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:32:47 UTC

Hand written is important here and does define the smaller local establishments. I feel it does define their business as original as well as handmade and they have a piece of the market in Toronto. An important factor in the city's culture.
Cafe photos are from: Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie Toronto, Tank House Lane, Toronto

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:34:15 UTC

Toronto Heritage

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:34:48 UTC

Whenever Toronto wants to represent its heritage, it stamped onto a metal plaque and uses a serif typeface. I searched for information, but there's not much out there, probably because most of the serif faces are not 100% consistent.
They're similar enough to retain a consistency to an untrained eye, and because of this, they are effective. It's not only the typeface, but also the design and layout itself. The plaques are always a golden text on a darker background with a coat of arms at the top and a gold border, always metal. The shape doesn't matter, as these features make them recognizable everywhere.

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:37:01 UTC

Overlooked Stencil Type

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:37:07 UTC

I have noticed stencil type all over the city in my type search, but had always thought of it as unimportant - maybe because I wasn't looking for it, maybe because I've lived here all my life and never noticed. Either way, After taking hundreds of photos, I realized I only had one stencil type example, Black Market. This place is arguably a landmark. It's a "head shop" - basically a second hand (mostly) store for clothes, vintage clothes and accessories and the odd new items. There's even a barber in here. Low ceilings and an old musty smell, it's like taking a trip back in time, a time before I was born maybe. I see stuff right from 1980 and some from the 70's, it's amazing. I remember shopping here as a teen for cheap clothes, everyone did.

jazzishere — 2020-02-02 02:38:27 UTC

2020-02-02 09:30:27 UTC

Aging Bills of HK

2020-02-02 09:33:14 UTC

The bills advertising businesses is a common find on the streets of Hong Kong. The format of these bills originated from when it was common to post ads on newspapers, being exactly the same layout they are adapted in to street posting bills. The interesting thing is most of these layouts have been left un-altered since these businesses have came to be around the 70s, 80s.

These bills appear on walls and lamp posts, services boxes and gates of shops that ran out of business, usually advertising services such as plumbing, repairs and more. Old ones get removed and new ones get posted on top at locations where the "surface" is not so well tended to.

There is potential that these ads might disappear soon with more effective ways of advertising and the aging business owners that still advertiser by posting bills. A reflection of the industrial, community based colonial tight packed Hong Kong of the past.

Waste

annie_bowers1 — 2020-02-02 12:16:22 UTC

This decorative lettering seemed at odds with the utilitarian surroundings, and it’s location on the side of a large metal waste paper container. Windsor is known for being used on the Whole Earth Catalogue, and as a title typeface in some of Woody Allen’s films. It’s quite whimsical and has a clear Art Nouveau influence which you can see in the organic forms. I see this as representative of the natural elements in a relatively inhospitable area- there are lots of plants sprouting out of gutters and cracks in the pavements.
9 Kynoch Rd, London N18 3DB

Shipping Container

annie_bowers1 — 2020-02-02 12:27:49 UTC

This lettering really interested me because it seemed to be designed to work on corrugations. It is legible from multiple angles- you can read it from straight on, but a ‘condensed’ version appears when you view it from an angle. The lettering itself is bold and clearly designed to have an impact from a distance. This is as effective when the shipping container is on a street as it is when it’s stacked up with hundreds of others on a ship. There are no flourishes or decorative elements, and the letters are quite square, which echoes the container itself.

However the degradation of the letters reduces legibility and softens the overall look, which helps it to fit in with the surroundings.

Unit 12

annie_bowers1 — 2020-02-02 12:46:55 UTC

I photographed a lot of signage that used Helvetica Bold, a typeface that is ubiquitous in British workplaces and industrial environments (I wonder if this will change post-Brexit?). Helvetica was created to be neutral and have no personality, which lends itself well to official signage, but the adaptation of this sign gives it a unique personality. Either they put the wrong sign up and didn’t want to take it down again, or they printed the wrong one. It seems to have originally said ‘UNIT 2’ but someone helpfully added a ‘1’ to correct it. To me this is indicative of the functionality of it being far more important than any concept of branding or consistency. I found a few similar examples but this one was the most interesting to me since the ‘1’ is larger than the rest of the text. The painter has made some effort to compensate by adding some height to the ‘2’ which has totally thrown off the carefully considered shapes of the original font.

2 Advent Way, London N18 3AH

The Canterbury Tales

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 19:53:06 UTC

Lastly, in terms of the text itself, Chaucer chose to write the prose in 'Middle English' which was an unusual choice given that many of the aristocracy still spoke French at court, (following the Norman invasion in 1066), and it was the poorer common folk who mostly spoke Middle English. This is reflective of the social change that happened towards the end of the 1400s, with increased migration of 'Middle English' speaking citizens into London, which ultimately lead to the adoption of this as the main language and the gradual abandoning of French.
I chose this as my first example, as I feel that it represents Canterbury's historic past. Following the murder of Thomas Beckett's in 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral and Beckett's subsequent canonisation, Canterbury became one of the most important places to visit for pilgrims in the UK.

This pilgrimage inspired Geoffrey Chaucer to write The Canterbury Tales; a collection of 24 stories written from the perspective of 24 different characters all on a pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury.

Although no original drafts exist in Chaucer's own hand, there are many copies produced in the 1500s, approx 100 years after the original was published. This shows that the stories must have been popular! The Ellesmere Manuscript is one such copy. It is an example of an 'illuminated manuscript', where text is decorated with borders, small illustrations and ornate lettering - such as with the W above. The font is an example of Blackletter or Gothic Script. I would say that the sub-category of font used is a combination of Rotunda and Textur.

So what can this text tell us about Canterbury itself? Firstly, it was only the Church or the wealthy patron that would publish and consume written literature, as much of the general population was illiterate. Illumination was a respected craft and Illuminators usually belonged to a painter’s or book publishing guild. So we know that the production of these stories had time, money and skill put into them.

As previously mentioned, we know that Canterbury would have been a well known location due to the murder of Thomas Beckett. Nowadays, although not everyone has heard of Thomas Beckett, most pole have heard of The Canterbury Tales, giving greater notoriety to the town. There is even a Canterbury Tales museum.

Lastly, in terms of the text itself, Chaucer chose to write the prose in 'Middle English' which was an unusual choice given that many of the aristocracy still spoke French at court, (following the Norman invasion in 1066), and it was the poorer common folk who mostly spoke Middle English. This is reflective of the social change that happened towards the end of the 1400s, with increased migration of 'Middle English' speaking citizens into London, which ultimately lead to the adoption of this as the main language and the gradual abandoning of French.

The Canterbury Tales

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:00:39 UTC

St Margaret's St, Canterbury CT1 2TG

The Shakespeare - part of the Shepherd Neame Brewery

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:02:08 UTC

The Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham is the oldest brewery in Britain, and dates back to 1698. Today the brewery owns 330 pubs, mostly in Kent. Three of the most prominent examples of Shepherd Neame pubs in Canterbury are the Bishop's Finger, The Shakespeare and The Cricketers, all of which are located down or near the main shopping district.

The pubs all incorporate a two-tone colour scheme for the 'Shepeard Neame' painted signs, with one colour for the top layer of text and a coloured shadow layer underneath, which gives the text depth. In this particular example, the name and the font used gives the pub a historic feel, which is helped by the fact that it is a stones throw away from the cathedral.

The blue and white colour scheme combined with the historic font manages to give the pub a modern quality, whilst also appearing clean, welcoming and inviting. By managing to appear both traditional and modern at the same time, the pub can appeal to a wider audience. I think that this reflects Canterbury's past as a historic city, but also it's current state as a youthful, vibrant town with lots of pubs and nightlife.

The Shakespeare

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:03:43 UTC

5 Butchery Ln, Canterbury CT1 2JR

The Sun Fire Office

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:04:44 UTC

The Sun Fire Office was a fire-insurance business originally established by Charles Povey in 1708 as the 'Exchange House Fire Office'. It was then taken over in 1710 by the Company of London Insurers and was then known as the Sun Fire Office. Although the concept of 'insurance' had existed for some time, the Great Fire of London saw the subsequent establishing of many fire brigade business and Fire insurance companies.

Although most insurance companies covered London, The Sun Fire Office also covered the South-East and by the end of the 18th century, insurance became normal for most businesses.

The use of the simple font on the sign is clear, distinctive and easy to read. The use of the Sun logo also helped people to recongnise the business, and was a good piece of branding.

As the Sun Insurance plaques were displayed on the outside of buildings, they had to be easily recognisable and aesthetically pleasing to look at. Each plaque displayed the sun logo followed by the insurance number.

This example showed that Canterbury was a prosperous city at this time, with booming businesses that were worth insuring. The fact that the sign still remains to this day is testament of how protective the local council is about preserving Canterbury's history.

The Sun Fire Office

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:07:02 UTC

3, The parade, Parade, Canterbury CT1 2JL

Biggleston Ironmongers

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:08:27 UTC

H M Biggleston & Sons (trading earlier as Drury & Co, then Drury and Biggleston) were a historic iron works foundry and shop, operating in Canterbury from 1835 until the final closure of the foundry in 1963. There are still examples of their railings and lampposts around the town to this day.

These railings are examples of Canterbury's industrial past and changing modern landscape. It makes you realise how little of Canterbury's industrial culture remains visible in the city. Currently there is a building development planned in the centre of the shopping district, near the former site of the Biggleston foundry. The new development will be called Biggleston Yard and will be 'a high-quality retail and leisure-led destination with a focus on food and drink'. Other than the name, the development does little to teach residents and visitors about this historic company.

'Drury & Co' Railings

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:09:25 UTC

41b, 43 High St, Canterbury CT1 2RY

Boho Cafe

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:11:28 UTC

Despite changing ownership several times, the Boho cafe is one of the longer-serving modern cafes in Canterbury, operating since 2005.

The decorative font is similar to Arnold Böcklin typeface which has become synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement. This bold, rich red and gold colour scheme is emphatic of the decadent 1920s and creates a feeling that the cafe is opulent, creative and bohemian.

This example is representative of Canterbury's creative underbelly as well as the wide variety of quirky, independent businesses. Independent cafes like this that offer something aesthetically exiting and one of a kind appeal to both the mature creative communities who appreciate the opulence of the decor as well as students looking for something pretty to Instagram.

The Boho Cafe

ld239700 — 2020-02-02 20:12:31 UTC

27 High St, Canterbury CT1 2AZ

Southport Coat of Arms, Tapestry – Hesketh Park Observatory

2020-02-02 21:01:01 UTC

This image has been selected for its material and historical significance. The coat of arms can be found in many places, throughout the town it's placed in pub signs and traditional buildings such as the college and the park observatory. Salus Populi the slogan from the coat of arms translates to safety of the people. Southport is a coastal town as suggested by the ship on the water in the shield. You can not really read the title Southport due to degraded threading in the yellow banner, this coat of arms has history and elements that relate to the location. Furthermore the coat is surrounded by a wave pattern, waves tend to feature throughout typography and signage around the town.

2020-02-02 21:05:32 UTC

Roundabout Billboard – The Plough, Crossens, Southport

2020-02-02 21:06:10 UTC

The billboard features the an advertisement for Southport’s arcades, shops and boulevards. The type features the wave pattern suggesting the coast and the sea. It has connectedness throughout the san serif letterforms of the header text, however, the body text is serif, all lowercase and much more traditional. The two fonts share a rounded aesthetic in their appearance and whilst the header has a modern flair to its bold and blocky structure, the body text on the other-hand (similar to Times New Roman) has a more classic appeal and perhaps signals toward the town’s Victorian architecture and origin. Similar to many places, Southport is updating constantly and I think that the modern header type style for the advertisement, reflects the modernisation of the town.

2020-02-02 21:07:57 UTC

Pleasureland, Southport

2020-02-02 21:08:15 UTC

Pleasureland is a fairground made of amusements, small roller coasters and food stalls. This is just one of the park’s signs. I think this is a great example of tradition being modernised because it features a scripted font alongside a futuristic fixed width font. The tittle promotes the roller-coaster attractions and is yet still reminiscent of a wave, featured in many of the towns identities. The specific colours of red and blue are also used around Pleasureland for signage and clearer communication. This sign is fun and invites people into the park with its appealing demeanour.

2020-02-02 21:14:22 UTC

2020-02-02 21:15:01 UTC

Ocean Plaza

2020-02-02 21:15:31 UTC

Unlike the previous examples this sign does not include a wave pattern although, OCEAN is featured directly within the wording of the signage. The letterforms are bold, the A in ocean has been constructed with the icon of the Marine Bridge a major feature in the landscape at Southport. The word Plaza, has oversized and quite dramatic serifs similar to the Victorian styled lamp posts, iron works and features dotted around the town. Again, I think that this particular sign speaks to the modernisation of the town and its constant strive to be up to date, current and popular.

2020-02-02 21:16:37 UTC

The Marine Way Bridge

2020-02-02 21:16:54 UTC

The bridge towers above many buildings in Southport and features in the town’s landscape, from many areas it is visible. Being one of the largest structures it is part of the local identity and features in iconography around the town. The font is Machined metal and a serif type style, its robust look echoes that of the bridges design, sturdy and strong. The placement of the type in an apex of a triangle adds to a powerful display, the photograph had been taken on a rainy evening and takes away from the aesthetic as it looks degraded and damp in those conditions. There's no extra decoration other than the serif style. The font spacing, kerning and size feel very precise and determined, lending from the aesthetic of the bridge.

2020-02-02 21:19:03 UTC

San Francisco Sidewalk Stamps

KrisMiller — 2020-02-02 23:40:31 UTC

The all caps, sans serif typographic sidewalk stamps used on every corner in San Francisco is clean, accessible, and informational – literally making its mark. San Francisco is among the few cities to systematically engrave street names on every corner. As for how this unique custom of engraving street names first started, some theorists believe the tradition began after the devastating 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of the city and made it difficult for resident to recognize where they were. However, the original ordinance that started the practice was actually placed into effect on Nov. 6, 1905. The result is not only useful, but also historically nostalgic in its origins.

KrisMiller — 2020-02-02 23:52:59 UTC

Knowledge Is Golden Mural

KrisMiller — 2020-02-02 23:53:53 UTC

California is the Golden State. This mural, painted atop a ghost sign in San Francisco's SOMA district reflects the personality of the city through its grit, textured, and layered appearance. The juxtaposition of script and a bold serif is inviting, strong, and prophetic. For “Knowledge is Golden” the inspiration was specific to the area which the mural was done. Dan Pan, one of the mural artists, said, "San Francisco is seeing its second gold rush with information and knowledge being the currency of today, with technology leading the transformation." Pick axes and gold pans have been replaced by Google buses, startups, and big data. While seemingly a reminiscent piece it is actually a beautiful commentary on the present and future of San Francisco.

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:04:57 UTC

Summer of Love Haight-Ashbury Mural

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:05:09 UTC

Quintessential San Francisco 1960s "Summer of Love" mural in the infamous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood could very well be seen as cliche. But psychedelic typography was born and raised in San Francisco. Many artists, most famously Wes Wilson, Victor Moscoso and Bonnie MacLean, were headquartered here, and received a great number of commissions for poster designs from local rock ‘n roll concert venues like The Fillmore and the Bill Graham auditoriums. And remember, these were all drawn by hand, no computer. The psychedelic typography of San Francisco is experimental, curious, and it doesn't care if you can read it. Ya dig?

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:15:38 UTC

Elite Cafe / Mudpie

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:17:25 UTC

A hat tip to the pioneers of the Gold Rush which created a massive migration to California, especially San Francisco. It's polish comes from the fine details of the serifs which also nods to the posh Art Deco era of the 1900s-1930s. Elite Cafe was a stalwart member of the Fillmore District for nearly a half century having recently closed its doors. Mudpie furthers the contemporary softened serif that harkens to the slabs of the pioneer typographic poster of the 1800s West. This version includes a unique foiled background and detailed drop shadows.

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:29:35 UTC

The Muni Worm

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:29:47 UTC

Created for the San Francisco Municipal Authority and to be adorned on cable cars, buses, underground rails and above ground lightrails in the 1970s by industrial designer, Walter Landor the founder of globally recognized Landor agency, and the designer behind the Coca-Cola script and Levis logo (another native San Francisco brand). The Muni "worm" connects native California and Mexican roots to (at the time) modern day San Francisco. The letterforms are connected in a way that is funky and uniquely San Francisco with a convergence of Opt Art and psychedelia. In 1997, there was city-wide outrage when the head of the SFMTA recruited students of the Academy of Art to create a new mark for MUNI claiming lack of funds to hire a proper firm to do the work. Needless to stay outside of a slight facelift in 2015, the Muni "worm" remains intact today and likely for some time to come.

KrisMiller — 2020-02-03 00:42:19 UTC

1. English Bridge, Shrewsbury

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:27:34 UTC

This bronze plaque on the bridge tells of the history of the English Bridge. Originally completed in 1774, it was ‘taken down and completely rebvilt’ flatter and wider in 1925-7 with ‘every sovnd stone in the original strvcture revsed’. What I like about it is that the first ‘U’ letter, shaped as a ‘V’ in ‘BUILD’ is worn to a sheen and has none of the other patination because of people touching it as they point out as the ‘wrong’ letter.

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:34:28 UTC

2. Velocette Ghost Sign, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:35:44 UTC

This is by far the best Ghost Sign in the town. It looks like two sets of information for the same cycle shop, the second being painted over the first. The top layer has faded to reveal parts of the original. Two brand names are visible: Velocette and Lington Cyclecars.

This one of the main entrances to the town and so would have been a good location for billboards and hoardings to advertise. 100 yards from the sign is a run-down shop ‘FW Thornton & Son’, founded in 1922 and opened it’s premises here in 1939 selling engine parts, perhaps a supplier to the motorcycle builders on the ghost sign. It closed in 2012.

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:39:05 UTC

3. Side Door, Shrewsbury Abbey

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:40:23 UTC

Heavy wooden side door to Shrewsbury Abbey showing the date 1640. The Abbey was founded in 1083, so in those terms it’s quite a modern addition. This part of the Abbey was demolished in 1540 and further damaged during town fortifications for the English Civil War. Repairs where carried out by the Parliamentarians in the 1640’s – there’s the new door – the style of the carved type is contemporary for the 16th & 17th centuries.

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:41:20 UTC

4. Brass Plaque, Tanners Wine Merchant, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:41:54 UTC

Tanners Wine Merchants was founded in 1842 and moved to these current premises during WWII. Their brass plaque by the entrance shows lettering all but worn away from years of polishing, I had to wait for someone to pass before taking the image so that more of the detail would show when the reflection distorted as there is hardly any detail left. The shapes change as you move past and the light catches a different ridge or curve.
The fact that the type is so worn shows the pride in the company, making sure they look the best they can, polishing the plaque over and over again.

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:43:43 UTC

5. The Private Shop, 40 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:44:09 UTC

One of a kind in Shrewsbury, the elephant in the room; NOBODY talks about it.
The thing I like about this shopfront is its dilemma: should it stand out or should it step back? It feels like it’s trying to do both at the same time and its run-down state makes it more so: give it a refresh and it might draw too much attention to itself.
Someone at sometime has tried to give the frontage a degree of sophistication by using the ‘gold’ lettering… and there’s still a trace of the previous sign’s weathered edges.

tonyclarkson — 2020-02-03 19:45:58 UTC

Bordeaux Cité du Vin

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:30:39 UTC

On the right side of the river to the historic city centre there is a green economy hub called Darwin. The Urban Farm is a section of Darwin that has been created to promote self-sustainability, the importance of eating locally and the importance of community projects and re-education. I chose this typography because I like the contrast between the modern sign and the wild undergrowth surrounding it. It almost feel like the sign, which has been designed digitally in blocky modern capitals, is being swallowed up and drawn back into nature, the weathering in the upper black section and the arrow shape ‘pointing’ to the responsible surroundings, serving to highlight and underline this process.
87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:42:00 UTC

Magazin Général

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:42:49 UTC

Also found in the Darwin ecosystem, is the ‘Magazin General’, which caught my eye as the white typography painted onto corrugated iron panels reminds me of where my grandparents live in Texas. The rustic materials and textures and the hand-drawn or crudely stencilled type convey the ambience of an old western film set or the sensation of being in the middle of the Texas hill country. The use of a crude, outmoded typeface to add personality to an old military barracks might seem somewhat bizarre. However, noticing again the arrow motif crowning the typography (and the Cherokee headdresses at the side), there is a strange continuum there – albeit the arrow is associated with primitive, ‘natural’ defence systems and the barracks with more ‘advanced’, organised campaigns.

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:45:12 UTC

Cité du Vin: David SELOR

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:51:32 UTC

What was previously known as the ‘dodgy’ part of town is now a hub of huge tech companies and smaller creative design studios in ultra modern buildings adjacent to a magnificent new carafe- shaped wine museum. Amongst this novelty are remnants of buildings that used to surround the docks that historically transported wine out of the city. I chose to photograph a piece of work by David Selor – one of many street artists exhibiting in these parts - because it is a clever play on words: J’aime CENT conditions (‘I love with one hundred conditions’) is pronounced J’aime SANS conditions (‘I love with no conditions’). The play on words is reflected in the playful hand sprayed type and the ambiguity of meaning in the indescribable figure who appears to occupy a window frame on an abandoned building viewable from the the tram.

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:54:26 UTC

Darwin Ecosystem Protests

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:55:19 UTC

A giant gorilla towers over an abandoned barracks within the Darwin Eco System. The gorilla was originally created by a group of protesters

to bolster their fight against global warming, providing a backdrop to a demonstration about ocean pollution. The chosen typography helps to reinforce the irony inherent in an ape – seemingly in the process of breaking free itself from human capture - reminding humans that their disregard for ocean life will lead to their own extinction: the large scale of the font on the ape’s chest, framed in ‘broken ironwork’, is highly impactful, the apparent stencilling lending credence to the suggestion the words are those of the ape itself. The sense of menace is extended to the lettering of ‘sea shepherd’ on the handmade banner, crowned by the jarring combination of crook, trident and skull.

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:59:00 UTC

Tradition and Politics

an237332 — 2020-02-04 15:59:31 UTC

The historic city centre is signposted with the traditional blue metallic plaques enamelled with white lettering. They are informative, proud and, for me, a classic trademark of my hometown. I chose to photograph La rue de l’Hotel de Ville because of the sheer amount of times the road name has been changed – for mainly political reasons - and the enduring evidence of this in the traditional yellow coloured stone. The same road has been Rue du Département (named after the home of the Archbishop of Bordeaux, which is now the town hall, 1971), rue de l’Arbre Chéri (with the French revolution came new ideas and emblems, the name meaning equality, brotherhood and freedom!) and rue du Palais-Royal (in 1800, after Waterloo, the white flag was raised on the royal palace of Bordeaux and so the name was changed). Now the name of the street is rue de l’Hotel du Ville because the Palace of Rohan became the town hall of Bordeaux in 1835. The street name was updated in 1857.

an237332 — 2020-02-04 16:01:28 UTC

Technical and Science School

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:16:39 UTC

Macclesfield’s Technical School which occupied this building in 1900 is now home to the local Wetherspoons pub close to the centre of Macclesfield.
The old style serif typeface here is typical of the town with a lot of the signs I have photographed having similar fonts to this, mostly used in their capital form to allow for maximum readability. I love the unusual design of this typeface, I imagine it to have been designed by hand as there are many flourishes which give this text personality and charm. I particularly like the imperfect ‘and’ sign, which seems to be disproportionate on the right hand side. Wetherspoons have mirrored this typeface with their pub name ‘Society Rooms’ which is placed above the original door which ties in nicely the new with the old.

Old Drill Hall

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:18:02 UTC

A sign made from stone, placed so high up on the old drill hall in the centre of Macclesfield that I have never noticed this before in my life. The building was designed as the headquarters of the 8^th Cheshire Rifle Volunteers and opened in 1871. Following this it became the meeting point of the 4^th and 7^th Battalion, before being decommissioned and recently converted into apartments.
Underneath Macclesfield’s coat of arms can be read the Latin words ‘NEC VIRTUS NEC COPIA DESUNT’ which translates to ‘Neither virtue nor plenty are lacking’. Set in heavy capitalised typeface to maximise readability from street level, the simple lettering is used in stark contrast to the more decorative swirls of the shield in which the words are set.

School of Art/Silk Museum

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:19:35 UTC

Macclesfield became a centre of the Silk Industry during the Industrial Revolution, a past which is well known and celebrated by Maxonians daily, I love that buildings such as this remain and are reused for museums such as this one to showcase the towns history. Once known as Macclesfield School of Art which opened in 1877 to train designers for the silk trade, this beautiful building is now home to the Silk Museum which showcases old machinery and silk pieces which were created in this historic town. The embellishments seen around the capitialised letters V and R reflect the artistic talent that was found in Macclesfield in the 1800’s.
This particular typography reminds me of the Macclesfield Alphabet book which I found in my research this week. The ornate design draws the viewers attention upwards from street level and highlights the wealth of the town during its peak time of producing silk all those years ago.

Three Pigeons Pub

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:20:15 UTC

The Three Pigeons was an important nineteenth century coaching inn, and still has stables attached. It has been disused for several years.
This sign is still hung on the derelict building and is showing signs of their history and the need for much love and attention.
The sign is showing less deterioration compared to the sign seen on the other side of the building due to its more sheltered location.
This sign shows its history through the red paint fading to reveal the original painting underneath. The style of lettering used is typical for Macclesfield. A capitalised font with serifs and the occasional embellishment to showcase the towns wealth. Derelict pubs and building are a common sight in Macclesfield today after many businesses closing down during the recession. Unfortunately the night life isn't great here with Manchester being on our doorstep.

King Edward Street Chapel

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:23:37 UTC

This sign is discreetly placed on the corner of King Edward Street in Macclesfield's town centre to direct worshippers to the hidden chapel which was built in 1690. Initially an independent chapel, it became Unitarian during the ministry of John Palmer between 1764 and 1780. In the early 19th century a number of Gothic features were introduced to the interior. I don't know how long this sign has stood for since the change of the chapel's name from Back Street Chapel in 1825, but it looks very worn out and the use of Gothic typeface leads me to believe that it has been stood for some time. This chapel is unique for it accepts any religious view, a chapel in which both my parents and older sister have held their weddings over the previous 2 decades. I wonder if the use of wood nailed to brick was intentional to make it temporary or movable, rather than announcing its presence in the longer lasting technique of engraving stone for instance, could this be because it was frowned upon by certain people for not being devoted to one religion?
The use of gold paint makes for an elegant sign, whereas the handwritten letters make this sign less formal and more inviting. I like the way in which the author has used larger letters to write the name of the chapel, and letters equally as large to tell the public that all are welcome.

Backstage (Daneside Theatre)

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:24:34 UTC

This photo wasn't taken with my original batch of photographs whilst exploring Macclesfield. Instead, this was taken backstage of the Daneside theatre in my neighbouring town of Congleton. This image struck me as unusual as I liked the contrast between the printed, bold and bright word 'STAGE' compared to the hand written and ornate calligraphy, therefore I found myself taking a photograph! I particularly like the politeness of the bottom sign, even though if this instruction is not followed it will cause issues during the live performance (as light and sound would travel from backstage), so whilst breaking this rule is not without consequence, it has been written in lowercase letters with pretty detail in which someone has clearly taken their time to write. Would it be the fact that this sign is written so nicely that people would follow this rule rather than being shouted at? Or is it that there was no need to write this in capital sharp letters as the rules were being followed anyway?

Technical and science school

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:28:18 UTC

Old Drill Hall

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:29:10 UTC

School of Art/Silk Museum

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:30:26 UTC

Three Pigeons Pub

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:31:12 UTC

King Edward Street Chapel

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:31:58 UTC

Backstage (Daneside Theatre)

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:32:27 UTC

beccaclulow — 2020-02-05 17:32:49 UTC

War Memorial

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:14:53 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:16:00 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:17:22 UTC

Here we can see how Type has been used in the construction of a war memorial. The brass plate is secured to a tree that was brought from the battlefields of Verdun during the 1914-1918 war.

The tree stands adjacent to the towns war memorials, the Priory Church, and a children’s play park. In my view, this gives the placing of the object a more profound presence and signifies a relationship between all three locations. This is evident in the choice of font, which aligns itself with the tone of the subject in question.

The typography takes on a greater meaning when viewed in-situ, and communicates a firm connection between the memorial and the adjacent priory. It tells the viewer that the landscape in which the memorial is located possesses an almost divine quality, which in-turn contributes to the elevation of the message itself.

The materials too, are indicative of the narrative that is being conveyed to us. The weathering of the brass and the cosmetic damage that is present on the surface of the structure denoting the destructive nature of mechanical warfare.

In response to the tone of the message therein, which is arguably one of loss and forlorn hope, we must once again refer to the placing of the signage. Adjacent to this sign is the children’s play park, and for me this geographic relationship establishes both a literal and philosophical dialogue between life and death. The children’s play area evoking a sense of rebirth and new life, free of the burdens of war.

Youth Hostel

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:18:10 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:18:49 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:20:44 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:21:28 UTC

The interplay between modernity and the history of the town is ever transient, and here we can observe an example of how a previous attempt at modernising the signage in the town has been dismissed by the passage of time.

The typography resigned to the besieging gestures of the natural processes that have occurred, within the environment.
This example possesses a visually stimulating assemblage of organic matter and man-made materials, and as a consequence of this juxtaposition of materials, we can view the signage as a metaphor for the overall narrative of the towns history.

The Grange

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:22:36 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:24:00 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:25:11 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:29:50 UTC

The second major building in Leominster is The Grange, a Tudor building that is regarded as the finest surviving example of a timber-framed building, from that period. The structure was designed and built by the Kings’ carpenter, who is believed to have been a native to the town.
Today, the building is located in a large open parkland in the centre of the town and is used for a multitude of purposes, including: The hosting of cultural events and private functions.
This interplay between contemporary life and legacy is evident in the choice of font and in the application of the materials, which instils the letterforms with a sense of dignity and elegance. Together, the combination of polished metal and traditional typography directs the reader once again to the past, however, here we are also informed of the buildings intention to endure and transcend the changes taking place within the modern age.

ALL

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:30:51 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:31:46 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:33:38 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:34:20 UTC

What can we say about a seemingly nondescript example, of contemporary way-finding?
For me, this application of low-cost paint on a poorly maintained tarmac road is allegorical in nature and indicative of the economic state of many of the rural communities around the UK.
Often starved of funding and dismissed in favour of more commercially viable towns and cities, the traditional market town is often reliant of low-cost materials and is seldom prioritised in the awarding of funding or in the provision of vital resources. This visual is a damning statement on the failing infrastructure, that is on display all across the UK.

Swan Brewery

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:35:01 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:36:20 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:37:20 UTC

johnprincebranding — 2020-02-06 13:37:44 UTC

Here we have an example of how, by referencing a more traditional aesthetic, the local proprietors are continuing to retain a connection with the history of the town.
Once again, the choice of materials has value and contributes to our understanding of the messaging. It is this application of the chosen materials that provides the viewer with a visual prompt and establishes an emotional connection between the brand-message and the members of the public.
What do we take from this outcome? Our attention is directed towards the past, of an idealised interpretation of history, which may in-turn evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for our own past.

(No) Parking

sm227805 — 2020-02-07 15:53:11 UTC

The tranquil village town that is Guildford is stuck in the juxtaposition of the aged historical type that illustrates the towns deep history and the postmodern which sees the city centre shopping culture expressed through jarring type such as this one buried between the two. This painted letterform that sits on a wall alongside a small street just off the hustle and bustle of the town centre lacks major footfall. When noticing this type that has the essence of graffiti from its humourous new meaning after the fading of the first two letters, I couldn't help but find this type one that sums up the abandoned view of Guildford.
3 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, UK

Keep Off The Grass

sm227805 — 2020-02-07 15:56:12 UTC

Guildford Castle grounds are a touch of quiet and a reminder of the history of this city centre town. However, even within this sacred area of untouched history, we find postmodern type that has aged and weathered even after a few years. This metallic font that has such contrast with the dirt and rust wearing away around it stands out like a sore thumb. For me, this type represents the ageing of the town, the attempt and lack of care for such a historically rich and green town.
Guildford Castle, Guildford, UK

Library

sm227805 — 2020-02-07 15:57:34 UTC

The Guildford Library stands out along the high street with its aggressive council style type that emerges from what looks like a concrete prison along the high street. The lack of modern renovation throughout the town leaves a lot to be desired. The combination of attractive historic type and cheap attempt of modern improvement has left the town looking like it needs a facelift. This letterform really does express this need for more creative and artistic design to be put into its public buildings.
77 North St, Guildford, UK

Quakers' Acre

sm227805 — 2020-02-07 15:58:49 UTC

Throughout Guildford, there are signs dotted around that are made from metal (like most other signs around the town), that tell us about the history of its location. They all have the same design, letterform, and colours. They aren't too large, they sit on walls at eye height, and subtly grab your attention by blending in with its surroundings. This closeup of one at Quakers' Acre shows its age from weathering of these sign. More importantly, we can see the letterform in detail. The serif type attempts to mimic the rich history of the town, having these dotted around in the endeavour of reminding the residents and visitors of this.
Quakers' Acre, North St, Guildford, UK

Slow Down, Turn Left...

sm227805 — 2020-02-07 16:00:09 UTC

This is one of a few ancient relics that remind us of the town that once was. This sign is one I walk past daily but it isn't preserved or celebrated the way it should be. With the town being so rich in history you would want type such as this defended. It reads "slow down, turn left, halt before, turn right for Guildford, most... Good food.." If you can read the rest I would be intrigued by what it did say, as it speaks about a town that once was. A completely different way of life and time to be alive. A little reminder of the many ways things have changed over the last few hundred years or so.
66 Quarry St, Guildford, UK

The Old Town Hall

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:11:45 UTC

The Old Town Hall was originally built as a chapel in 1715, and in the 18th century used as the Court House and Town Hall. 'The Old Town Hall' sits above the central doorway, in an arch in a medieval typeface. You can see this is very worn down and they have re-touched it with a metallic gold which gives it a very handmade / shabby look. The gold takes away some of the black outline, making it less bold, but gives it that importance which this building deserves giving it it's history. (In 1884, the crew of the Mignonette stood trial here for murder and cannibalism.) I really like how the shadow of the type is reflected in the glass underneath. The Old Town Hall is now surrounded by antique shops, pubs and bars and has been turned into an art gallery so I quite enjoy the contrast of the Old English type and the finish of it, I feel it fits well with the surroundings.

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:21:08 UTC

The Packet Walkway

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:27:21 UTC

The Packet Walkway was sponsored by The Falmouth Packet, the local newspaper which was named after the ship that transported the oversea's post. The type is the exact same on the newspaper and represents the ship used for transportation. These plaques are placed all over Falmouth town. It is only until now I have realised they are placed at historical points over Falmouth where people can follow information through the town which explains the historical references and how the town has changed over time. What a brilliant edition that I have never noticed, so small that I have walked over it for so many years. It keeps the history alive through today's current town.

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:29:30 UTC

The Royal British Legion, Garden of Remembrance

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:30:11 UTC

The Garden of Remembrance is a small garden located outside of Falmouth's Library. It has the signage for The Royal British Legion and behind are silhouette's of figures at war. On these figures are hand written messages, this specific one being 'In God We Trust'. The hand written contrast of the black and white really stood out in comparison to the garden foliage surrounding it and the signage from the Remembrance. The message being hand written makes it a lot more personal, where people will relate to it. The running of the chalk and the wearing away of the type goes hand in hand with the wearing down of war itself.

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:34:07 UTC

Bygone Days Trading Co Vintage & Retro

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:35:44 UTC

The signage for this retro store in Falmouth is so bold. I really like how weathered each letter has become. At first glance I thought they could be letters for print but infect is just weathered signage. The type is strong, with the curved letting such as the 'C' and 'O' having the very bottom's cut off, but the 'B' and 'D's being fully rounded. I love that it has that quirkiness to it. It summerises everything the shop is about. It's weathered look goes hand in hand with the retro and antique items it is selling.

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:39:20 UTC

The Chintz

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:39:47 UTC

The Chintz is situated in the Old Brewery Yard on The Old High Street in Falmouth. It's in a thriving courtyard where students and locals are attracted to. The Chintz has done a brilliant job in creating a bar based on the Alice in Wonderland theme with hidden rooms and a ceiling full of hidden treasures. The typography here fits their theme perfectly. They have used a type which I would usually match with a circus theme. Pointed edges with different levelled letters which are at a slant. The metallic golden brings the glam and glitz of the fantasised world, with the deep red bringing the drama and whimsical swirls of Alice in Wonderland. If anyone saw this sign in Falmouth they would recognise it as the Chintz bar straight away.

EllaBrett — 2020-02-07 21:43:50 UTC

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 13:53:14 UTC

Awesomestow

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 13:58:37 UTC

Heart of Awesomestow is a piece of artwork by local artist Chris Bracey. He continued his father’s business, illuminating Soho and creating for films. Now, his work focuses on commissions, moving with neon’s reputation from Soho alley to high art.

Mixed typefaces and colours embody the melting pot of Walthamstow. There are serif and sans serif; high and low contrast strokes; rounded ends and slab serif.

This is placed within the Mall, a shopping centre that is a huge contrast to the locally-run shops on the High Street. The homogenisation of Walthamstow echoes the upward move of neon from seedy to high art.

This way

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:10:15 UTC

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:11:23 UTC

Ghosts of Signs Past

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:18:44 UTC

The opening of St James Street station at the end of the High Street developed it into a bustling shopping centre. In 2017, £2.9 million was spent on shop fronts, building restoration and environmental improvements. The unification of shop fronts was deemed “driven by a total misunderstanding of what makes London interesting” by local residents.

For this original sign, the first and third lines span the width of the painted display, with the kerning and horizontal width of the third line condensed to allow for all the letters. The second line is shorter and has a wider kerning to take up more space with fewer letters.

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:19:40 UTC

robin_schmich — 2020-02-08 14:26:26 UTC

"Mall Monster"

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:40:36 UTC

Contrasting to the neon image, The Mall monster is the Mall mentioned, which wants to expand into green space, cutting down mature trees marking a path. The Mall’s large shops profit from the community without the same return of the independent local shops along the High Street. The development would include homes which are unaffordable for Walthamstow's citizens.
This is an unofficial poster following the grassroots campaign to save the trees. Designed in Word, the designer used a yellow background to draw attention, with black-outlined text in Arial. The black ink separated, the blue component streaks across the yellow, despite the weather-proofing lamination. The designer knows how to draw attention, using caps and increased kerning to emphasise HELP and TREES.
We might lament the ability for everyone to create typography, however, it enables people's voices and dissent to be heard against powerful lobbies.

ar237330 — 2020-02-08 14:46:12 UTC

Just Love Letters

robin_schmich — 2020-02-08 16:12:39 UTC

A powerful message. "Just Love Letter" under the slot of a mailbox is as smart as it is beautiful. The font is bold and has a graffiti look. It is also a kind of contemporary handwriting and could be seen as an update of the script font above. For these reasons, I would like to describe this graffiti-like type as a youth cultural variation of typeface design that is visually comparable to typographic design. While typography always depends on its medial usability and thus on media-specific criteria of readability, graffiti is to be understood as a more media-independent artistic-creative form of expression and communication. Here, however, it is not the word semantic level as the main component of the construction of meaning that must be in the foreground, but the visuality of the letter sequence including graffiti form conventions, proportions, compositions, choice of colour, background, contrasts and most importantly the local context. In the case of text graffiti, here with a felt-tip pen, the graffiti can also be understood as a multi-modal text, which in its overall meaning forms a synthesis of the various attributions of meaning of the realised sub-modalities.

robin_schmich — 2020-02-08 16:17:52 UTC

Dispensing Type

michellelbrooks — 2020-03-03 19:37:36 UTC

This light which is in keeping with the historic feel of Stony Stratford sits outside Cox and Robinson Pharmacy where the company was originally founded. Even though the light looks as if it was originally part of the chemist, it is not seen in images from 1971 so would have been added after for aesthetics. The glass is painted green other than the text masking out the words 'dispensing chemist' in an all capital serif font. The text is curved to sit within the space in the glass and mimics the brands font seen on the signage below.

Food for Everyone

ar237330 — 2020-04-08 14:27:08 UTC

Walthamstow is very multicultural and the High Street is lined with shops with cuisines from around the world. Many people are Muslim and eat Halal food, and shops advertise that they sell products adhering to this cultural practice.

This sign is an example of the bilingual stickers in English and Arabic found in windows and positioned away from notices so that it stands out to passersby.

This Way

ar237330 — 2020-04-08 14:34:55 UTC

The main transport system takes people into the economic and commercial centre of Walthamstow, with visitor attractions such as the William Morris and Town Hall further away.

When Waltham Forest was the Borough of Culture in 2019, wayfinding signs such as this were painted on walls to help visitors navigate. They are high up on walls and very visible as Hoe Street twists and turns to reveal them.

The grey type is outline in black to enhance visibility, and uses icons of a walking man and arrow as designed by Margaret Calvert to emphasise their use as wayfinding signs.