In every corner, on every street, pedestrians are confronted with a plethora of signs. Words graphically adhered to weatherproofed surfaces dispersed in the surround, vying for attention. These micro messaging reminders are to keep you in the know of what is appropro or how you are to get somewhere correctly.
No surface is untouched Poles, fences, lawns, building fronts, etc. are all utilized in the spill of words, icons, descriptive texts and numbers. The stacking is intentional - each sign to be trumped by another in the optic invitation.
Kinda fultile though, as it all becomes a blur in the city constructs of multi use spaces. Often, I feel like I am looking at a captcha security puzzle...which one, or how many signs contain a bridge? I always get them wrong.
Unfortunately, signs have become synonymous with a prohibiting intent. I mean, can you remember the last sign that gave you good vibes? For me, it goes back to mid seventies entering SeaWorld in Florida where large white letters and carved dolphins informed me it was going to be magical if I followed inside.
What gets redundant, in the plethora, are signs that point out other signs in case you miss the first. It's a store flashing a large logo on its exterior front but also feeling it's necessary to add the tent sign on lawn reminding us of same. Signs are vital but they are often overused and fill space unnecessarily . On occasion, I have seen up to four signs letting you know that a certain business is residing there.
I 'm an urban trekker. Walking through the city offers constant stimulation, the sights and sounds are alive and immediate. Of course, as a word entusiast, I am drawn to words and fonts, how they are used, and I ponder questions like " what is the sign actually saying?" Too many signs in one place and the artist in me gets lost in the juxtaposition of colors, letters and symbols. To stop and read is also an opportunity to be yelled at by folk sharing your path. Better to find your information quickly to avoid blocking a pedestrian route. It can turn into confrontation from walkers behind you.
On another city stroll, I passed by a sign that said "no graffiti please, new business coming". This is an example of the tomfoolery of sign posting. The request was obviously ignored as bold tagging was sprayed not only on the building entrance but on the sign itself!
Signs ignore a sight impaired audience. Icons or schemas, universal symbols are used, but are limiting. Bus seating exemplifies who can sit in certain seats based on visual cues. I am a seeing person so I cannot imagine the barriers of non sight folk trying to get around safely and find their way. Signs are mostly made for the seeing. It's improving but in slow measure.
The other day, going to a worksite, I stopped on route for coffee. Getting back to the bus terminal, I looked for directions, seeking a sign. I could have googled but my hands were full. I looked up and among a sign cluster was a simple one word declaritive that said "subway". It stood out because it was to the point. It seemed suspended in air because it spoke to me...and actually got my attention.
It was a validating urban moment...
I saw the sign.
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