Hey there graphic designers! Let’s chat about something that’s been on my mind lately … signs! You know, those little pieces of art we often overlook in our daily lives.
So, I finally treated myself to a coastal vacation recent and let me tell you, it was a feast for the eyes! Sure, I indulged in plenty of aperitifs and ice cream, but what really caught my attention were the signs everywhere. I’m talking about everything from fancy wrought iron pharmacy signs to hand-painted Looney Toons characters. It was like a treasure hunt, finding beautiful calligraphy in corner stores and hilariously bad clip art in antique stores. I loved it all!
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Another designer obsessed with signs? How cliché!” And you’re not wrong. But hear me out. As designers, we can’t help but get excited when we spot graphic design in the wild. It’s like a little reminder that our craft exists beyond our computer screens. Plus, signs are like a crash course in branding. They’ve got to convey a message in a limited space with a distinct look. It’s Branding 101, right there on the street!
Consider the foreign signs I saw in an antique store. There’s something extra special about signs in a language you don’t understand. Without the distraction of trying to read the message, you can really appreciate the design. But here’s the thing – we don’t need to travel far to find interesting signs. They’re all around us, even in our own neighborhoods. The trick is to look at them with fresh eyes, like a tourist in your own town. I remember a friend from France who moved visited my boring Kansas town. Yes, I’m from Kansas originally. She took photos of our local ice cream joint like it was a work of art. It made me see my familiar surroundings in a whole new light.
You know what’s really cool about “folk” signs (that’s designer-speak for signs made by non-professionals)? They’re often quirky, direct, and full of personality. If a store sells bagels, you bet there’s going to be a giant bagel on the sign! As professional designers, we sometimes get caught up in being clever or abstract. But these amateur signs remind us that sometimes, the most effective design is the most straightforward. So, next time you’re out and about, take a moment to really look at the signs around you. Who knows? You might find unexpected beauty and inspiration right in your own backyard. And hey, if you spot a particularly awesome (or awesomely bad) sign, snap a pic and share it with your fellow design nerds. We’re all in this sign-spotting adventure together!
Thanks for reading!
David
(Cali Dingo)