What if all signs were designed for everyone to read?

I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think there’s a bit of value in letting signs have some personality - even if it means not every sign is 100% optimized for legibility. I mean, sure, you want the main stuff (like street names or emergency exits) to be crystal clear, but when it comes to storefronts or community spaces, sometimes a quirky sign makes the place feel more inviting or memorable. I’ve seen neighborhoods where the creative signage actually becomes part of the local vibe. Maybe it’s about picking your battles - some spots need to be universal, others can get away with a little more character.

I totally get the appeal of quirky signs - there’s something about a hand-painted “Open” sign or a chalkboard menu with doodles that just makes a place feel more alive. When I built my backyard workshop, I actually made my own sign out of reclaimed wood and old house numbers. It’s not the easiest thing to read from the street, but it fits the vibe, and folks always comment on it when they come by.

But here’s the thing: when I did the signage for my driveway and the house number, I went super clear and bold. I used high-contrast paint and big numbers, because I wanted deliveries, emergency services, and guests to find us without any confusion. There’s definitely a balance to strike.

If you’re thinking about making your own signs, here’s how I usually decide:

1. Figure out who needs to read it. If it’s for everyone - like directions, addresses, or safety stuff - go for legibility first. Big letters, simple fonts, high contrast.
2. For spaces where personality matters more than universal clarity (like a garden gate or a shed), let your creativity run wild. Play with colors, shapes, or even materials.
3. Test it out. I sometimes prop up a new sign at different times of day to see how it looks in changing light. You’d be surprised how much glare or shadow can mess with readability.
4. Ask a friend or neighbor to take a look from a distance. If they can’t read it easily and it’s supposed to be functional, maybe dial back the flair a bit.

Honestly, some of my favorite neighborhoods are the ones where you see both - a super clear street sign right next to a coffee shop with a hand-lettered chalkboard out front. It feels like the best of both worlds. Not every sign has to be a work of art, but not every sign has to be boring either... depends on what you need it to do.

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I get the logic behind making everything super legible, but honestly, I think we’d lose a lot if every sign was designed for maximum readability. There’s something about a quirky, hard-to-read sign that gives a place character. Not every space needs to scream “function first.” Sometimes you want a little mystery or personality - like those tiny handwritten notes in boutique shops or the weirdly shaped signs at old diners. They’re memorable because they *don’t* look like everything else.

I’ve worked with clients who wanted their house numbers to be “art pieces,” and yeah, the mailman had to squint, but it made their entryway feel unique. If every sign followed the same rules, neighborhoods would start looking sterile. Sure, safety and wayfinding need clarity, but for everything else? I say let people get creative, even if it means you have to slow down and actually look around. Isn’t that part of the fun?

WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?

I totally get where you’re coming from. There’s this little bakery I worked on last year, and the owner insisted on painting her own chalkboard menus. The handwriting was a bit wild - some letters were huge, others tiny, and she’d doodle little croissants in the margins. Technically, it wasn’t the easiest thing to read, but people loved it. It felt like you were stepping into her world for a minute, not just grabbing a pastry.

I do think there’s a line, though. Like, I’ve seen some house numbers that are basically abstract art, and even I had to double-check the address. That’s fun for a front porch, but if every street sign or emergency exit looked like that, it’d be chaos. There’s a reason airports and hospitals stick to the basics - sometimes you just need to get where you’re going without a puzzle.

But for everything else? I’m all for letting people get weird with it. Those little quirks are what make a neighborhood feel alive. If every sign was Helvetica on a white background, I’d probably lose my mind. There’s something about a hand-painted “OPEN” sign or a neon squiggle above a bar that just makes you want to poke your head in.

I guess it’s about balance. Let the important stuff be clear, but leave room for personality everywhere else. Otherwise, we’d all be living in the world’s most boring IKEA showroom.

There’s something about a hand-painted “OPEN” sign or a neon squiggle above a bar that just makes you want to poke your head in.

Totally agree with this. Those little details are what give a place its soul. I’ve worked on spaces where the client wanted everything super uniform, and honestly, it just felt sterile. But I do think there’s a sweet spot - like, you can have personality without sacrificing legibility. I love when someone finds a way to make even the “Restroom” sign feel unique but still obvious. It’s not about making everything look the same, but making sure people don’t get lost trying to find the exit, you know?