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During one of his trips to Japan, Thierry couldn’t help but admire the casual and friendly tone of wayfinding systems found around construction sites. Comparing the design of public communication was one way for him to try to begin to grasp the nuances of a new city and culture.
In Switzerland, construction signage is designed with stark geometric shapes. The red, black, and white signs focus on warning the passersby of potential danger ahead.
Japanese construction signage sometimes takes on a personality of its own. Plain metal poles are replaced with joyful animal characters and cartoons adorn signs. The choreography of bright colors and faces-in-places creates an atmosphere that seems more welcoming. Who knew construction material could be both efficient and friendly?
This simple observation sparked an interest in designing a typeface that could communicate in a casual yet functional manner. To achieve that, Thierry combined these two very different sources of inspiration.
Many signs in Japan are still painted by brush. The letters often showcase rounded terminals and a natural flow that is specific to sign painting.
In Switzerland, it’s rare to spot hand-painted signs. Instead, most signs are printed in austere sans serifs.
