I just landed my biggest job ever. It's a bunch of directional signs for the township that I grew up in. They are pretty plain...and their chosen typeface is Arial. I just saw in a sign mag, whether it was SignBusiness, SignCraft,SignBuilder, or SOT I can't recall... but there was an example of a street sign showing three different fonts, and one was clearly more visible. I remember that the lower case "i" had a bit of a rounded tail. But the font was sans serif and very similar to the lettering on traffic signs I've seen in the UK. Any idea what it is? I also plan to recommend using Chesham Sans. I have to do a 3D mockup. Thanks! Love...Jill
Posted by Kelsey Dum (Member # 6101) on :
[ August 15, 2006, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
A couple of suggestions for you, Jill.
1. Since these signs are purely "functional" eg: Meant to communicate to the public-at-large just what the street name is, the font selected should be one that has superior readability, more so than "style".
2. Determine which names that you'll be dealing with are the longest. That'll greatly influence the letterstyle selected. A condensed style may be necessary to accomodate the longer names, but should be one that won't look "lost" when a short name is required. Try setting the letterstyle within the given format and make your selection based upon which one communicates the essential information the best.
Personally, I'd recommend a letterstyle like Univers 67
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Checkers
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Just my two cents Jill.
If "their chosen typeface" is Ariel, don't try to change their minds. Do em in Ariel and collect the money.
This is the kind of job that is a moneymaking no-brainer. Boring yes, but lucrative too.
It could also lead to other work for the township and you don't want to give them the impression that you want to do things "your way". Give them the impression that you are quite willing to do things the way they want and in a timely manner.
Congratulations on landing the job!
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Jill I have to agree with Mr. Grundy and do it the way they want. Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Checkers, that is what I was looking for. Zowie but it's expensive! The guy who chose the font was open to a more legible font. If I can't provide him with one, I'm sure he will stick with Arial...no problemo for either of us. I've been doing much of their signs for 10 years or more, not trying to make an art piece. I just remembered that article and was wondering where I could get the font....now I know! Thanks folks. Love....jill PS Thanks Kelsey! That one will work too!
[ August 15, 2006, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Jill Marie Welsh ]
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Jill, I've done quite a few street and traffic signs the font that matches very close to the font our state uses is Blue Highway. It is very close to the Clearview typeface.
You can check it out at Dafont... here: Blue Highway
Edited to add: SORRY... I should have read the other replies... that's already been recommended.
[ August 15, 2006, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
damn their clearview must rock! who in the hell pays this for fonts when it all over the place for free. now I see why the state of alabama is throwing away so much money.
now that i think of it I wonder if they want to buy other fonts, I could just sell them for $100.00 per font...its cheaper
Posted by Arthur Vanson (Member # 2855) on :
Hi Jill, Had a look at Clearview and thought maybe Frutiger might do? (Humanist777 in Bitstream Corel fonts.) Stone Sans might also be quite useful and don't overlook 'Transport' in the Gerber fonts, if the job doesn't justify Clearview.
Posted by Mike O'Neill (Member # 470) on :
Was searching for info today and I not only found this thread, but this site
that provides fonts used in highway signs for many countries and includes both (b) and (w) clearview font families
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
We've been using Frutiger a lot for some wayfinding projects in California. SF Bart stations, San Jose Airport, UC Davis all use that font. People seem to like it. It was specifically designed for wayfinding and site directional signs and has a contemporary look.
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
Jill Blue Highway is your best bet.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I have worked on quite a few city systems myself.... At least here in California, what font, colors and size you use depends on who is funding the project, and if the sign is going on a state highway. You will probably get away with using another typeface than Clearview, but you might be required to adhere to type size and tracking to speed of traffic and viewing distance.
The new MUTCD has a new section on custom wayfinding signage and allows some variation from the standards. I would read up on if this applied to this project before getting too far.
Posted by Bill Wood (Member # 6543) on :
Jill, I operated the sign shop here in Winston-Salem in 1969 and the most common font we used was Corporate Black
Posted by Bill Wood (Member # 6543) on :
Jill,not my sign shop.I worked in traffic engineering for the city here and I ran the cities sign shop.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Nice find Mike. I like that they have different fonts for light and dark backgrounds and different situations.
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
Jill, remember the new law on the copy and the background. All states will have to be up to code by 2018.
Posted by Gary Boros (Member # 8487) on :
Jill, one other important thing to research is whether or not your signs require reflective lettering. I'll see if I can find a reference for you but it's likely that they do.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
...man this is an old thread. If memory serves, they went with Arial. The job took me over 6 months to complete, and the township installed the signs. They still look good, except for the ones they cut in half horizontally then re-mounted for some reason.
Posted by stein Saether (Member # 430) on :
if its only one line pr sign do them in all versals, look better, saves space
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