Public Typography: Housing Signage

HOME PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY IS WHERE THE TYPE IS

HOME IS WHERE THE TYPE IS PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY AMBER PEEBLES

01 THE RESERVE

02 RAINTREE

03 SANTA BARBARA

INTRODUCTION This book is an investigation of the public typography found all over Olathe, KS. Driving or walking into housing developments, typography for the majority starts appearing right from the entrance. As you get into the neighborhood more type shows up on street signage, handmade signs by homeowners, on the actual houses and even in driveways and yards. Whether it is a difference between san serif and serif or if the letters are painted or engraved, or even if the type is a set font or handwritten, there are multiple variations. Signage that is supposed to send out the same message, such as a home being for sale, can change in different neighborhoods. It is essential to realize that certain factors contribute to this specific kind of typography. As you look at the differences in typography, you will find a change in the price, size, and type of homes in that development. If the neighborhood is upper, middle or lower class this plays a role in the abundant amount of public type we see everyday where we live or where we pass.

WELCOME TO THE RESERVE Typography found in the suburbs, specifically The Reserve in Olathe, KS. A navigation through the neighborhood from the entrance to the houses.

When city transportation improved, the development of suburbs began. In the 1950’s when urban roads were being made and more families started having cars, people wanted to live close to their city job. However, even though the housing developments were built near cities, they were put further away from other developments. The suburbs were an escape from the noise and bustle.

THE START OF States population wanted that same privacy. THE SUBURBS By the year 2000, about half of the United

Suburbs became extremely popular and it was difficult not to pass by one on daily travel. Today that still holds true, even more so, especially for Olathe, Kansas. Olathe has over 100 suburbs or housing developments, which vary in size, price, and types of homes. The Reserve, is included in that number and falls under upper class housing that is luxurious, with golf courses and clubhouses to enjoy.

LIVING IN LUXURY

The Reserve, Olathe, KS Many upscale neighborhood entrance signs can be found on stone or rock, with the type engraved and with a serif style created by the housing development. The typeface is therefore more permanent and luxurious for those who pass by it to go to their homes everyday.

The Reserve, Olathe, KS Upscale neighborhood entrance signs lead to homes that cost anywhere from $300,000 to a few million.

Mansions can be found on the same road. The fancy script typography matches the expensive mansions and their stone work can be almost identical, using the same stone, rock ,or color.

“ It’s not only about the type but also

what the type is placed on. It’s important for it to last long, but this isn’t of high importance in all neighborhoods.

”

— Phil Baines

Interview with Resident of The Reserve: Eric Haskins

Q: What differences do you see in your suburb’s main entrance sign and others around Olathe, KS?

A: The size for sure and the one here seems to match the surrounding area.

There are rocks and nature all around it so why not make the sign out of rock to match?

Q: How many signs would you say are up on the average month?

A: Well if you count permanent and temporary, I’d say at least 20. I see a lot around the golf courses actually when I golf with buddies some Sundays.

The Reserve, Olathe, KS Upscale Neighborhood mailboxes tend to have san serif set typefaces that are very clear and readable to anyone. The mailbox itself is usually made out of stone and metal for elegant appearance for an ordinary object in a neighborhood.

Mailboxes come in so many different shapes, sizes, materials, etc. However, within neighborhoods, the mailbox is a symbol for social class. For

MAIL CALL: the mail to match the rest of the style of UPPER CLASS upscale neighborhoods, it is essential for

the development. This could mean adding stone, clear very legible letters and numbers. Also there is usually a font that is elegant like the surroundings.

SELLING AN IMAGE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Upscale, Clean, Luxurious, New

WELCOME TO

THE RAINTREE Typography found in subdivisions, specifically The Raintree in Olathe, KS. Wayfinding for people to notice typography all over from entering to leaving.

The introduction of the first middle class housing development began after 1944 when the GI Bill was introduced. This provided millions of young to old veterans and their families’ enough money to go towards home mortgages. Many did take that advantage and by 1950 over 1 and a half million new homes were built for those average income families.

BUILDING THE The majority of middle aged Americans are FOUNDATIONS History has made an impact for today as well.

homeowners within middle class subdivisions as of 2013.

Even though a lot of Olathe, KS seems to be taken up by upscale suburbs, there are some middle income subdivisions as well. Middle class housing varies from multi family, single family houses, town homes, and even larger apartments. Raintree and its single family homes is just one of the subdivisions included in the history.

IN THE MIDDLE

Raintree, Olathe, KS A lot of Middle Class neighborhoods tend to have woods and metals as material for the entrance signs. The type starts to look more handwritten and doesn’t have the elegancy of upper class entrance signs.

Raintree, Olathe, KS Average Neighborhood Entrance Signs lead to homes that cost anywhere from $90,000 to $225,000.

One story, ranch style homes can be found in the housing area as a typical thing.

The almost handmade but constructed type matches the every day houses and their hand painted siding/porches are similiar to the painted look of entrance signs.

“ In addition to directing and

instructing us in our wayfinding, public lettering can contribute to the way we identify, and to some degree, respond to the places and spaces we visit.

”

— Catherine Dixon

Interview with Resident of Raintree: David Lowry

Q: What do you notice looking at your neighborhood entrance sign?

A: It’s pretty small and there isn’t a lot of extra decoration. But I do like what ever font was used. And the wood matches the name, the nature theme I guess.

Q: Are you able to notice any differences in the fonts used on different signs here?

A: The entrance sign has the most rough around the edges letters. My mailbox has really clean cut letters for my last name.

And the private drive signs are very flat, with no personality but I can read them.

Raintree, Olathe, KS Average Neighborhood mailboxes tend to have serif set typefaces on removeable sheets of paper if any at all.

Numbers are usually tiny if they exist. The mailbox itself is usually made out of wood and metal like the entrance sign of Raintree.

It is pretty unlikely for mailboxes to look the same in different areas. Within these specific areas, the mailbox is a symbol for social class. For middle class

neighborhoods,

the

boxes

still

MAIL CALL: being MIDDLE CLASS

match the surroundings, such as the entrance sign. However, it starts

less about letters and numbers and more about just mail. Type or numbers are found less often to help identify each resident’s mailbox and their own mail.

SELLING AN IMAGE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Everyday American, Approachable, Stable

WELCOME TO

SANTA BARBARA Typography found in the suburbs, specifically Santa Barbara in Olathe, KS. A call out to type, good or ugly, found from the entrance to the outskirts.

For the working/lower class, housing was never really specially built at any time in history. Lower income individuals and/or families would live where they could and pay what they had. The government seemed to stray away from the struggles of this class until around the 1930’s when the depression hit and everything here became more clear. Even

THE DOWN LOW in ON HOUSING

though some living in poverty today are unfortunately homeless, others remain

homes of all types. Instead of worrying about a mortgage they worry about rent each month in their house, apartment, duplex, trailer, etc. Within the U.S. there are those neighborhoods that are outside of the suburbs and on outskirts of cities that provide lower rent options. A development like this in Olathe includes Santa Barbara.

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Santa Barbara, Olathe, KS The Lower Class neighborhood entrance signs are usually found on wood that decays faster. The type and background is painted with no engraving. Concrete is used instead of expensive stones. The concrete is even painted roughly and rarely.

Santa Barbara, Olathe, KS Most Lower Income neighborhood entrance signs lead to homes that can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000.

Trailer homes can be found on these streets.

The rough and rudged type matches the trailers that can need work and attention. The color and the rough paint jobs match the materials and siding on these homes.

“ The search for ugliness triggers a certain voyeuristic curiosity.

From the designer’s perspective there is simply a lot more space to explore. Now it is rare to find examples of deliberate ugliness in type design.

”

— Peter Bilak

Interview with Resident of Santa Barbara: Mary Swiner

Q: Do you pass by any signage traveling to and from your home?

A: I notice the entrance sign when I leave and come back. That’s how I know when to turn to get home.

Q: Have you ever seen signs being replaced since you’ve lived here?

A: Nope and probably never will be.

Some signs might need a new paint job.

It’s hard to read them from far away.

Others look kinda nice though, for this place at least, ya know.

Santa Barbara, Olathe, KS The typical Working Class Neighborhood mailboxes tend to have graffitti or some kind of type that doesn’t belong to it. The indicators, such as stickers to see it’s mail, usually wear down and become harder to read and even recognize for residents.

Neighborhood mailboxes can be transformed in any public domain. But with that being said, the mailbox is a symbol for social class. For lower class

MAIL CALL: part. They are often vandalized by residents WORKING CLASS neighborhoods, the mailboxes play less of a

or others. There is little type except for numbers and type that once wasn’t there when the box was built.

SELLING AN IMAGE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Simple, Afforable, Relatable

CREDITS Sources for Text: www.ilovetypography.com www.publiclettering.org Signs: Lettering the Environment: Baines and Dixon about.com/urbaneconomicgeographysuburbs time.com/time/nation/article wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_class Book Typefaces: Helvetica Helvetica Neue Adobe Caslon Cameras Used: Sony Cypershot Nikon Coolpix L110 GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition Thanks you to those who allowed me to interview you.

Another thanks to Debra Ryan and family for showing me around unfamiliar parts of Olathe for photo opportunities.

Designer as Author, Patrick Dooley, Fall 2013, The University of Kansas