Signs: Lettering in the Environment

by Phil Baines

This book focuses on the letterforms and typography in public places, from road signs to building names, that help us to navigate cities and countryside and contribute to a sense of place.

Featuring examples from around the world, the book discusses the function and execution of signage. Visually led, Signs contains 700 color images grouped together thematically and described in extended captions, showing the best current examples alongside historical material.

Part resource, part celebration, the book forms an exciting visual compendium.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mycala · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I searched for lettering at the library, I was thinking more along the lines of typography and letters as an art form. While this book wasn't what I was expecting when it came in on my holds shelf, I enjoyed it immensely, probably not surprising with my graphic design background. It starts with mile markers from the 1700s and other methods of signage including instructional, directional, and warning. One of my personal favorites is the red circle around the dog and a steaming pile of with a red "X" through it. Gets the message across quite well, and it looks to me after my recent trip to our nation's capital area that they could use some of those signs, too. Seriously, after walks through the neighborhood in which I stayed, if I'd gotten paid by the pile I could have come home loaded. (Ba-doom. I'm here all week, folks. Tip your waiter.)

While there were some really beautiful alphabets here and there in the book, the emphasis was more on signage as a whole.

[eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. It was extremely technical, and a lot of effort was palced on trying to explain the intricacies of lettering and typography that it lost me quite a few times.

In terms of example, I felt South America and Asia were severely under-represented while England and Barcelona were present in every page (or at least it felt like it)

Some interested comments here and there are what gives this book the second star of the rating.