Issue No. 01
SIGNS
LOCAL
Various types of signs exist. Signage is important because it leads the audience with relevant information such as directions, maps and instructions. A sign identifies a service and directs the audience to the right location. They also give warnings or safety instructions such as safety hazard signs and traffic signs. Sometimes signage is targeted to a particular audience. Signs are used externally as part of a way finding system to find a building or internally to find a particular place inside the building.
To the left one can see images of rectangular signs that portray general information to the public.
Signs come in different shapes and sizes. These shapes send messages to the audience and form a set of rules they have to follow. For instance a circular sign, is an instruction that has to be followed. The rectangular sign portrays information to the general audience. These are most likely seen in public providing information where something is or what something is such as the public convenience. The triangle sign is a warning sign that usually comes with a red border or sometimes a yellow background. It quickly grabs attention to the eye to advise the audience to be careful.
“Whosoever shall brew ale in the town with intention of selling it must hang out a sign, otherwise he shall forfeit his ale.� - King Richard II of England
Vintage signage found in Malta & Gozo. Photos on the left and right are courtesy of http://www.maltatype.com More old signage in the next page which I happened to meet with when I was wondering about.
To the right is an illuminous signage that is serving as an advert.
INTERNATIONAL
In this section we can see some international signage where it varies from local signage amongst of which include some minimal and modern designs.
To the left are different types of rectangular street signage that can be easily changed. To the right is a neon lit sign which are not so common nowadays.
Two images on the left are portraying three dimensional signage found in America, which are old and unappealing. However the rest are appropriate signage associated with their country that blend well in place they are placed in.
SIGN SYSTEM I chose to study the sign system of the Underground Car Park of Smart Supermarket.
I chose to study the sign system of the Underground Car Park of Smart Supermarket. From the main parking outside, there is a clear sign of where the underground parking is. It greets the client with a sign to the Underground Car Park.
When one looks back from the Smart Car Park Entrance, the client can see a no entrance sign since cars can only go down from that entrance. Other exits are available.
On the left side there is a wide space for parking spaces and before exiting this space, the client can see directions to the way out of the parking. A sign is stuck on each side so that it is clearly visible.
As the client approaches towards the exit, he can see a clear white sign to the way out. If the client would like to make his shopping, there is a bigger sign to the right pointing to where the entrance of the Smart Shopping Centre is. However beneath that there is a red sign marking Entrance. This is a little confusing to where the Entrance is referring to. Is it saying that towards the left there is the Entrance of the Smart Shopping Centre or is it saying that the green lift leads to the Entrance of the Smart Shopping Centre?
As one is waiting for the lift to come down, the client can notice stickers that advise the person that push chairs, dogs and bags are not allowed. This is all to avoid stealing from the shop. However rules are made to broken so there is another sign stating that the management has the right to search the bags.
The parking continues and indicates the driver with two signs that more parking spaces are available to the left. There is also a one way sign because that area is another entrance of the car park. Hence the cars seen parked in the picture have come down from this mentioned entrance. One can also notice fixed lighting and a mirror for better visibility. There are yellow directional signs drawn on the ground and a sleeping police for cars to drive with caution when meeting at the same corner.
The same Smart Shopping Centre and Way Out signs are stuck. There is an additional Exit sign fixed to the wall. The car park is very well equipped with fluorescent markings. The columns are painted yellow with red to bring attention to the driver.
As the client keeps walking further on, he approaches towards the entrance of the Smart Shopping Centre. The sign points to the right.
This is the entrance to the Smart Shopping Centre where one can find several shops amongst the supermarket. It has a white background so it can be seen in the dark.
When the client looks back from the entrance, he can see a No Exit sign along with two no entry signs meaning the parked cars cannot turn back but have to keep going further on to exit.
This is how the Smart Shopping Centre sign looks like from the back. Left me wondering why the design was not kept consistent.
To the left of the photo there are more parking spaces available. However if the driver wishes to exit, he will follow the constant Way Out sign.
Before exiting, there are two road signs stating that the driver cannot turn to the right when exiting but can only turn to the left.
However, if previously the driver did not choose to exit but instead has turned to the left for more parking spaces, this is how the parking is terminated. The area on the right is a private parking, whilst the area on the left is the space from where the cars come out and then exit from the previously shown exit. There are three no entry signs making sure that drivers do not enter that side.
A sign with a new layout is stuck on top of the entrance indicating that there are parking spaces. A clean and minimal approach is taken here.
These are some constant signage that are stuck throughout the whole cark park.
This sign is repeatedly stuck on the way out of the car park, since pedestrians pass from there as well. Standard road sign is being used.
A clean minimal sign stuck outside the exit of the car park indicating that the exit is also an entrance for pedestrians.
A parking space reserved for disabled persons. Standard road sign is being used.
A sign stuck throught the underground car park to remind the driver to switch on the lights for easier visibility. Standard road sign is being used.
Kimberly Micallef BA Hons. in Graphic Design & Interactive Media