posted
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
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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[ August 15, 2006, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: Kelsey Dum ]
-------------------- Kelsey Dum Dum Designs Sherwood, AR 72120 501.765.2166 kelsey@dumdesigns.com Posts: 827 | From: Sherwood, AR | Registered: Oct 2005
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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
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2684 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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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!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
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 ]
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
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 ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
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
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
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.
-------------------- Arthur Vanson Bucks Signs Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England arthur@buckssigns.co.uk -------------------- Posts: 805 | From: Chesham, Bucks, England | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
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.
-------------------- Len Mort Signmaker1.com 11 Juniper Drive Millbury, MA 508-865-2382 "A Good Business Sign, is A Sign of Good Business"(1957) Posts: 811 | From: Millbury, Ma | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
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.
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
Nice find Mike. I like that they have different fonts for light and dark backgrounds and different situations.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Jill, remember the new law on the copy and the background. All states will have to be up to code by 2018.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
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.
-------------------- Gary Boros SIGNWORKS STUDIOS LLC Monroe, Connecticut, USA Posts: 264 | From: Monroe, Connecticut, USA | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
...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.
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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