The Beauty Of Public Signage: Photo Contest Results

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Graphics, Showcases, Typography, Events, Contests, Signs
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Vitaly Friedman loves beautiful content and doesn’t like to give in easily. When he is not writing, he’s most probably running front-end & UX … More about Vitaly ↬

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In August, we announced the World Of Signage Photo Contest, in which we encouraged designers, artists and photographers to go out with their cameras, shoot attractive typography and public signage and send us the results. The more obvious subjects we received were street signs, building facades, highway markers and road signs, as well as wayfinding graphics (i.e. directional signage) in public venues, subway signs, hotel and office signs and signs in shops, too.

And The Winner Is…

Suicide signage [ large preview ] “Photo taken in the tube in Paris.” Photo taken by Julian Salaun from France.

The winner of the digital SLR camera, the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS (EOS 1000D) is Julian Salaun for his photo “Suicide Signage”, taken in the underground tube in Paris. That’s a sign you wouldn’t normally notice; the unconventional perspective is attention-grabbing and makes the photo stand out with its almost ironic placement. Very unique, very original shot. Congratulations to you! (You should have been contacted by now.)

2,500+ submissions, 51 categories

We received almost everything one could think of. The response was overwhelming and truly smashing: overall, we received over 2,500 photos, some of which, though, didn’t pass our automated processing or didn’t fit our guidelines.

Overall, almost 1,500 photos are presented in 51 galleries below. With so many emails from so many people across the world, sorting the submissions manually was a daunting task. But that’s what we had to do. It took a lot of time, even with every member of our team spending a significant amount of time reviewing and grouping the photos. Interestingly, the most popular kinds of photos were road and street signs and warning and danger signs, followed by train and airport signs, venue signs and, of course, WC (restroom) signs. We noticed that some photographers shot the same places at different times — what curious coincidences those were!

Showcase

Now, finally, the results are online. Initially, we planned to add personal comments to each one, but that would have taken months. Out of sympathy for our media servers, we have split the submissions across several pages, all linked below. Please check out the pages and comment on the photos you like best. We also hope we have achieved the goal of the contest: to provide our readers with useful and creative ideas on how designers worldwide combine type, visual design and pictograms in public signage.

Showcase Of Most Interesting Submissions

Some of the most interesting, creative and original submissions are presented below. Please note: each photo comes with a license, noted in the description of the photo. Before using the images for personal or commercial projects, make sure the license allows you to do so. Also, you can click on the photos for larger versions.

Station Shop

Station Shop [ large preview ] “Please use other door - Station Shop.” Created by John Kilpatrick from United Kingdom.

Subway Scratch Off

Subway Scratch Off [ large preview ] “Subway sign for center city Philly @ Market East Station.” Created by Carissa Katz from USA.

Beware of Falling Coconuts

Beware of Falling Coconuts [ large preview ] “Heard about ‘Beware of dogs but coconuts?’.” Created by Kisan Bhat from India.

From here you can go anywhere

From here you can go anywhere [ large preview ] “Should i see Skadarlija, Skopje, Moscow, maybe Moon? I think I’ll go for a drink at “Sesir Moj 2”.” License: CC BY-NC-ND. Created by Marko Rosic from Serbia.

Don’t even think of parking here

Don’t even think of parking here [ large preview ] “The picture was taken in NYC in 2009.” Designed by Stefan Vogel from Germany.

Chinatown San Fran

Chinatown San Fran [ large preview ] “The main street that runs through Chinatown in San Francisco is Grant Street. Here the local color can be seen in the background of the sign.” Created by Jen Mabe from USA.

Caixa Forum Pictograms

Caixa Forum Pictograms [ large preview ] “Signage from Caixa Forum museum in Barcelona, minimalistic & neat: Pictograms.” Created by Ivana Vasilj from Croatia.

Name temple signage

Name temple signage [ large preview ] “Name of temple.” Photo taken by Bob Soo Kar Shun from Singapore.

Train

Train [ large preview ] “Train Signs.” Designed by Anselm Christophersen from Denmark.

Skövde Central Station Sign

Skövde Central Station Sign [ large preview ] “A really beautiful, accessible and easy to understand sign on a Central Station in Skövde. The sign illustrates bus station, taxi and train platforms. Note that everything is also written in Braille code.” Designed by Igor Jovic from Sweden.

FLine Up

Line Up [ large preview ] “Lining up at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.” Licensed: Copyright. Designed by Aurus Sy from Philippines.

Number 2 Is Open

Number 2 Is Open [ large preview ] “These are personal FedEx Kinkos Booths open to the public. Notice how the signs are slightly angled so they attract attention from down the hall instead of being flat on the surface of the doors… and aren’t the colors just wonderful.” Licensed: All Rights Reserved. Designed by Stephanie King from USA.

Wyatt’s Confusion

Wyatt’s Confusion [ large preview ] “SCCC 2010 graphic design student, Wyatt stands amongst many directional signs, slightly puzzled.” Photo taken by Chelsey Scheffe from USA.

Architect’s Gateway

Architect’s Gateway [ large preview ] “3 doors from the side of a building with signage of what an Architect does.” Licensed: Royalty Free (RF) images. Designed by Ellson Yap from Singapore.

Beware, polar bears !

Beware, polar bears ! [ large preview ] “Photo taken near Longyearbyen in Svalbard (or Spitzbergen), Norway, in October 2009. This photo shows the non attention paid to the sign, as the lady runs towards the land, where the bears are, as the sign says to beware of polar bears “In the entire Svalbard”.” Created by Brian MathÈ from France.

Vacancy

Vacancy [ large preview ] “Lake Wales - roadside signs: Permanent Vacancy.” Created by Angela Wilson from USA.

1833 Salamanca

1833 Salamanca [ large preview ] “Metal shelled sign filled with original convict mined sandstone blocks.” Licensed: Copyright Steven Clark with permission granted to Smashing Magazine to use in relation to this competition. Designed by Steven Clark from Australia.

Udderly Tall

Udderly Tall [ large preview ] “Best place in town for sweet iced tea & your weekly 2%.” Created by Carissa Katz from USA.

Mixed Signals

Mixed Signals [ large preview ] “Open, closed, I’m there…?” Photo taken by Kent Downer from USA.

Welcome to Salt Lake City

Welcome to Salt Lake City [ large preview ] “A sign that pretty much sums of living in the city of salt.” Created by Shauna Ehninger from USA.

Up the 101

Up the 101 [ large preview ] “This photo was taken at the famous Taipei 101 building. What amazed me is that each floor you went they would write the height of the building. Clear fonts with an inviting graphics.” Photo taken by Michelle Pei Ting Huang from Brazil.

Magic numbers

Magic numbers [ large preview ] “House numbers in brass in the evening.” Photo taken by Jaina from UK.

The Room Number

The Room Number [ large preview ] “A Picture of a hostel room in thailand.” License: Creative Common Attribution License. Created by Robert Hoppe from Germany.

Zetland House Type

Zetland House Type [ large preview ] “My work is in this building with really great giant type for the floor markings.” Photo taken by Rachel Lipsitz from UK.

High voltage

High voltage [ large preview ] “A warning sign in an Indian train.” Created by Harald Krefting from United Kingdom.

Steep Hahnenkamm

Steep Hahnenkamm [ large preview ] “Hahnenkamm Ski Slope in Kitzbuhel, Austria.” Photo taken by Gary Toriello from USA.

Dangerman

Dangerman [ large preview ] “This is a danger sign found on truck carrying inflammable material in Mumbai. Danger comes in all sizes and flavors :).” Designed by Charvi Mohan Sarfare from India.

End

End [ large preview ] “A nice looking warning in Hong Kong about the end of a pedestrian zone.” Licensed: Free use, just give me credit. Designed by John Mertens from USA.

Monsoon Morning

Monsoon Morning [ large preview ] “Taken today around 8am from tube station.” Licensed: Free. Designed by Yatrik Vyas from United Kingdom.

No jumping be careful the safe

No jumping be careful the safe [ large preview ] “Picture taken during my trip to Huashan Mountain in China in 2007.” License: Free. Created by Yann Lorber from The Netherlands.

The Exclusion Zone

The Exclusion Zone [ large preview ] “The Exclusion Zone of Novosibirsk Hydropower Station.” Photo taken by Maria Demina from Russia.

Tehran metro exit

Tehran metro exit [ large preview ] “Tehran Metro Bi-Language Exit Sign.” Designed by Arash Haji Vaziri from Iran.

Handrail signage for blind person [ large preview ] “Staircases’ handrails provide information label for blind people in one of the Nagoya’s (Japan) underground. As easy to notice there are braille characters on the left side of the handrail.” Licensed: Photo was taken by myself. Designed by Piotr Domowicz from Poland.

Vienna Subway Map

Vienna Subway Map [ large preview ] “Vienna Subway Map. I really love the use of Helvetica” Created by Alex Buga from Romania.

Waiting at Gate #3

Waiting at Gate #3 [ large preview ] “Photo was taken while waiting for a flight connection to Brazil in Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay.” Licensed: Attribution-ShareAlike License. Designed by Fernando Maclen from Argentina.

Signage dock E zurich 1

Signage dock E zurich 1 [ large preview ] “Zurich Airport Dock E, main walls in the (Sky) Metro station.” Licensed: Sascha Török - Wirksame Gestaltung. Designed by Sascha Török from Switzerland.

Pit Stop

Pit Stop [ large preview ] “Photo was taken while waiting for a flight connection to Brazil in Carrasco International Airport, Montevideo, Uruguay.” Licensed: Attribution-ShareAlike License. Designed by Fernando Maclen from Argentina.

Texturized wall

Texturized wall [ large preview ] “A wall in Hamburg airport, literally texturize with text.” Designed by Pitipat Srichairat from Thailand.

Cphan Look Right Hongkong

Cphan Look Right Hongkong [ large preview ] “The sign in Air Asia Airplane that I shot during my travel.” Designed by Christina Phan from Indonesia.

Filling The White Space

Filling The White Space [ large preview ] “Landing Site on Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong.” Licensed: cc by-nc. Designed by Andrea Surwillo from France.

Indian Railway reservation chart table

Indian Railway reservation chart table [ large preview ] “Indian’s Railway reservation chart table.” License: Copyrighted. Created by Sroan Sergei Graovac from Croatia.

Airport Security Check

Airport Security Check [ large preview ] “Security at airport.” Created by balajee from India.

Bike sign

Bike sign [ large preview ] “Bike Sign.” Photo taken by Anselm Christophersen from Denmark.

Three Signs In A Row

Three Signs In A Row [ large preview ] “I liked the three layers of the signs. One on the glas window, one behind on the wall, and the reflection of one sign on the oppsite side of the glas window..” Designed by Andris Linz from Switzerland.

Port Sign Boote

Port Sign Boote [ large preview ] “Simple port sign photo in Austria.” Designed by Olariu Ionel from Romania.

Steep Hahnenkamm

Steep Hahnenkamm [ large preview ] “Hahnenkamm Ski Slope in Kitzbuhel, Austria.” Photo taken by Gary Toriello from USA.

Dangerman

Dangerman [ large preview ] “This is a danger sign found on truck carrying inflammable material in Mumbai. Danger comes in all sizes and flavors :).” Designed by Charvi Mohan Sarfare from India.

End

End [ large preview ] “A nice looking warning in Hong Kong about the end of a pedestrian zone.” Licensed: Free use, just give me credit. Designed by John Mertens from USA.

Monsoon Morning

Monsoon Morning [ large preview ] “Taken today around 8am from tube station.” Licensed: Free. Designed by Yatrik Vyas from United Kingdom.

No jumping be careful the safe

No jumping be careful the safe [ large preview ] “Picture taken during my trip to Huashan Mountain in China in 2007.” License: Free. Created by Yann Lorber from The Netherlands.

The Exclusion Zone

The Exclusion Zone [ large preview ] “The Exclusion Zone of Novosibirsk Hydropower Station.” Photo taken by Maria Demina from Russia.

Tehran metro exit

Tehran metro exit [ large preview ] “Tehran Metro Bi-Language Exit Sign.” Designed by Arash Haji Vaziri from Iran.

Vienna Subway Map

Vienna Subway Map [ large preview ] “Vienna Subway Map. I really love the use of Helvetica” Created by Alex Buga from Romania.

Waiting at Gate #3

Signage dock E zurich 1

Pit Stop

Texturized wall

Texturized wall [ large preview ] “A wall in Hamburg airport, literally texturize with text.” Designed by Pitipat Srichairat from Thailand.

Cphan Look Right Hongkong

Cphan Look Right Hongkong [ large preview ] “The sign in Air Asia Airplane that I shot during my travel.” Designed by Christina Phan from Indonesia.

Filling The White Space

Filling The White Space [ large preview ] “Landing Site on Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong.” Licensed: cc by-nc. Designed by Andrea Surwillo from France.

Indian Railway reservation chart table

Indian Railway reservation chart table [ large preview ] “Indian’s Railway reservation chart table.” License: Copyrighted. Created by Sroan Sergei Graovac from Croatia.

Airport Security Check

Airport Security Check [ large preview ] “Security at airport.” Created by balajee from India.

Bike sign

Bike sign [ large preview ] “Bike Sign.” Photo taken by Anselm Christophersen from Denmark.

Three Signs In A Row

Port Sign Boote

Port Sign Boote [ large preview ] “Simple port sign photo in Austria.” Designed by Olariu Ionel from Romania.

Everywhichway

Everywhichway [ large preview ] “California Science Center.” Designed by Enrico Santana from USA.

Valley of the kings

Valley of the kings [ large preview ] “Valley of the kings tombs Egypt.” Designed by Kristina Ivandic from Croatia.

New York Tourism

New York Tourism [ large preview ] “A directional sign located in Battery Park, New York, USA.” Photo taken by Tracey L. Warner from USA.

Rock and roll is here

Rock and roll is here [ large preview ] “Just ran into an interesting scene, which is about a sign of a livehouse in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan.” Photo taken by Terry Lai from Taiwan.

Life at cross roads

Life at cross roads [ large preview ] “Shot at Tamilnadu, India.” Created by Subinkrishna Gopi from India.

Signs to far destinations

Signs to far destinations [ large preview ] “Signs to destinations all over the world in Gran Canaria.” License: Creative Commons by-nc. Created by Misel Radosavac from Germany.

Right Way

Right Way [ large preview ] “Boracay island Philippines alleyway.” Created by David Coates from UK.

ParkInside

ParkInside [ large preview ] “Beautiful vintage, grunge sign found in St. Louis. Taken with iPhone.” Photo taken by Phil Franks from USA.

Main road signage

Main road signage [ large preview ] “Hand painted on a block of a pointed shaped stone indicating that this road is the 1st main road.” Photo taken by Heya Basu from India.

Look

Look [ large preview ] “Whimsical, typographic message with a hint of pictogram via the small dots in the O’s, creating a subtle pair of eyes.” Photo taken by Jason Bequette from USA.

Exnersvej

Exnersvej [ large preview ] “My street sign.” Created by Achille Marotta from Denmark.

Bump

Bump [ large preview ] “Sometime a little bump on the road can save you.” Designed by Md. Zabir Hasan from Bangladesh.

Play with size

Play with size [ large preview ] “Design Center in Copenhagen, brilliantly played with sizing.” Photo taken by Pitipat Srichairat from Thailand.

Choosing the right way

Choosing the right way [ large preview ] “First photo of a short story. You have to choose your way to the divinity.” Licensed: Creative Commons Attribution. Designed by Ester Liquori from Italy.

Bike parking sign

Bike parking sign [ large preview ] “A bike parking sign in the city of Heraklion, watch for the city’s sign up and left.” Licensed: Royalty Free. Designed by Miljkovic Milos from Greece.

Cryptic writings

Cryptic writings [ large preview ] “Letters in a parking garace in Helsinki. Not very informative.” Created by Erkki Punttila from Finland.

No parking

No parking [ large preview ] “Hand painted sign.” Designed by Travers Smyth from UK.

Which Way

Which Way [ large preview ] “The traffic light tree (London) here could repesent the confusion we face in our lives deciding which way to go.” Designed by Hazem Lashin from UK.

Corner in Primary

Corner in Primary [ large preview ] “A highway billboard in New Mexico getting a fresh coat of primary colors.” Licensed: Copyright. Designed by Gavin Todes from USA.

Don’t go right

Don’t go right [ large preview ] “Signs on a freeway in Lima Peru.” Photo taken by Rodrigo Apolaya from Peru.

Tandem signage

Tandem signage [ large preview ] “Strange tandem signage in Spain.” Photo taken by Jonas Ginter from Germany.

Ballyvaughan

Ballyvaughan [ large preview ] “Ballyvaughan, Ireland.” Created by Mary Lemcke from USA.

Wayfinding and Typographic Signs - ballyvaughan

Ecuador Sign, Ecuador

Ecuador Sign, Ecuador [ large preview ] “This photo shows both the coordinates of the location, as well as the actual line passing below the sign to mark the equator, or “The Middle of the World” as they call it in Ecuador.” Photo taken by Tessa K. Marmion from USA.

Mount Maido’s direction

Mount Maido’s direction [ large preview ] “Mount Maïdo’s handwriting direction on a rock.” Created by Cédric Albrecht from France.

Berlin Street Signs

Berlin Street Signs [ large preview ] “Street signs in Berlin-Kreuzberg, with the characteristic German ‘eszett’ and several ‘tz’ ligatures.” License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. Created by Florian Hardwig from Germany.

Last Click

Good Morning Sunshine

Good Morning Sunshine [ large preview ] “One of the morning sun shines in Glasgow at Tchai Ovna.” Photo taken by Shalmali Patkar from United Kingdom.

Alborzmountain

Alborzmountain [ large preview ] “A part of Alborz Mountain with above 4100m height.” Licensed: © Payam Hamzei. Designed by Payam Hamzei from Iran.

Thanks!

Thanks to all participants for taking the time to prepare and submit their photos for this contest and for contributing to the unique and diverse gallery presented here. We truly appreciate and respect your effort and time, folks. And please stay tuned for our next contest! Let us know what kind of contest you would like it to be; we look forward to your comments in this post!

Further Galleries

You may want to take a look at other contest galleries, too:

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