Fonts can play a powerful role in shaping the aesthetic identity of a city – and some places wishing to update their image turn to typeface design as a revitalising tool. The Dutch city of Eindhoven did just that.
Whether it’s Helvetica on New York’s subway system or Gill Sans on the London Underground, certain typefaces can be instantly evocative of place. We asked you to share pictures of your favourite fonts in cities – and here’s a collection of some of the best.
Bridge names Amsterdam
Most of the 2.000 bridges in A'dam have this lettering designed by Anton Kurvers in or 1930. They are still cast when needed.
Reduced headroom
Old fashioned lettering on a roadside sign in a tunnel below the railway
Johnston
There is absolutely nothing that sums up London and all its rich history than Edward Johnston's finest creation. His 1916 font is still in use and the little diamonds bring a smile to my face whenever I use the Tube. A 20th Century masterpiece!
Not just in NYC
Helvetica gets everywhere. This was on a sign in Leeds Station
Brighton & Hove
I've always liked the street signs around Brighton and Hove. This one points towards Hove Museum.
Motocycle Shop Front
A found sign in Nafplio, Greece. I love the faded colours and tones
French Grocery Font
Love the old hand painted shop signs, this was in a hidden corner of Narbonne
Phonebox door
A great font on the door of the traditional red phonebox
Street signs in Bratislava
This typeface isn't specific to Bratislava, it can be seen almost everywhere in Slovakia with minor variations. It exists in two styles, normal and narrow, and can differ in how rounded corners are.
