Signs With Design Errors

[US71]

I think most of the problem with the sign above is that the numbers are too thin. I see no reason why they couldn't use Series D, especially because those appear to be 3-digit shields.

Is this better? 

[plain]

I think most of the problem with the sign above is that the numbers are too thin. I see no reason why they couldn't use Series D, especially because those appear to be 3-digit shields.

Is this better? 

Please tell me that's Photoshop!!!   

[US71]

I think most of the problem with the sign above is that the numbers are too thin. I see no reason why they couldn't use Series D, especially because those appear to be 3-digit shields.

Is this better? 

Please tell me that's Photoshop!!!   

No. It's legit. Only one to my knowledge.

[cjk374]

I think most of the problem with the sign above is that the numbers are too thin. I see no reason why they couldn't use Series D, especially because those appear to be 3-digit shields.

Is this better? 

Please tell me that's Photoshop!!!   

No. It's legit. Only one to my knowledge.

I like it because it solves the problem of digits fitting inside the state shield. Plus it looks kinda retro. 

[jakeroot]

I really like it, though I wish the state ouline were slightly thicker.

Bigger issue is when you try to cram a two or three digit number in. Obviously the circle would have to become an oval or rounded rectangle, and then it wouldn't be as cool-looking.

[Quillz]

Can't get a good pic of it right now, but on CA-1 just beyond the California Incline, is a sign featuring a white miner spade. Not only have these not been used since 1964, but this particular stretch of CA-1 wasn't even signed as such until after 1964/white miner spade era.

[Quillz]

Just noticed this; really not a fan of Oklahoma's state highway marker. I wish they'd do it Florida style, and remove the area of the state outline around the numbers. The panhandle gives away which state it is without the bottom edge of the outline.

If they're going to use the style they're using, then the state outline really shouldn't be black. It's too distracting and makes it hard to read the numbers. Maybe do what South Dakota does, where the non-numerical elements are in green, but the numbers are black.

[ErmineNotyours]

Can't get a good pic of it right now, but on CA-1 just beyond the California Incline, is a sign featuring a white miner spade. Not only have these not been used since 1964, but this particular stretch of CA-1 wasn't even signed as such until after 1964/white miner spade era.

You mean this?

[jbnv]

Just noticed this; really not a fan of Oklahoma's state highway marker. I wish they'd do it Florida style, and remove the area of the state outline around the numbers. The panhandle gives away which state it is without the bottom edge of the outline.

They could do something like this (my concept):


Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

[hotdogPi]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

[jeffandnicole]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is smaller than the space devoted to the state outline.

[jbnv]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is smaller than the space devoted to the state outline.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is the only thing that's clearly legible at that size. Geez, it's impossible to please some of you people.

[SectorZ]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is smaller than the space devoted to the state outline.

I take back everything I say about Massachusetts, Maine, and others with their boring shields. Convey the necessary info. That's the job.

[paulthemapguy]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is smaller than the space devoted to the state outline.

I take back everything I say about Massachusetts, Maine, and others with their boring shields. Convey the necessary info. That's the job.

I like Minnesota's highway marker the best--The state shape is there, but small and in the corner because it's not important.  The colors are interesting, the state name is there, and the route number is clear as it takes up most of the space.  Aesthetically pleasing AND it gets the job done.

[Eth]

Oklahoma State Highway Shield Mock by Jay Bienvenu, on Flickr

This is a 30×30 resize. Notice how it's almost impossible to see the state name.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is smaller than the space devoted to the state outline.

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is the only thing that's clearly legible at that size. Geez, it's impossible to please some of you people.

Proportion-wise, this really doesn't look that different from the current Colorado marker.

[MNHighwayMan]

I like Minnesota's highway marker the best--The state shape is there, but small and in the corner because it's not important.  The colors are interesting, the state name is there, and the route number is clear as it takes up most of the space.  Aesthetically pleasing AND it gets the job done.

This is why I use them as wall décor.

[jbnv]

And the most important part of the sign - the numbers - is the only thing that's clearly legible at that size. Geez, it's impossible to please some of you people.

Proportion-wise, this really doesn't look that different from the current Colorado marker.

Thank you. I was thinking of the Colorado marker as I was posting that. (Consider also the current Idaho marker, which inspired my design.)

[jakeroot]

I like Minnesota's highway marker the best--The state shape is there, but small and in the corner because it's not important.  The colors are interesting, the state name is there, and the route number is clear as it takes up most of the space.  Aesthetically pleasing AND it gets the job done.

This is why I use them as wall décor.

I also really like them, but I really wish they'd change the colors of them. From a distance, I couldn't tell the Interstate and State Highway markers apart from one another. Obviously up close it was a no-brainer, but from a distance...not so much.

Maybe a white-on-black design if snow contrast is an issue?

[MNHighwayMan]

I like Minnesota's highway marker the best--The state shape is there, but small and in the corner because it's not important.  The colors are interesting, the state name is there, and the route number is clear as it takes up most of the space.  Aesthetically pleasing AND it gets the job done.

This is why I use them as wall décor.

I also really like them, but I really wish they'd change the colors of them. From a distance, I couldn't tell the Interstate and State Highway markers apart from one another. Obviously up close it was a no-brainer, but from a distance...not so much.

Maybe a white-on-black design if snow contrast is an issue?

Eww. Nothing other than blue and gold is acceptable to me.

I also don't get how so many people confuse them for Interstate shields. The colors aren't even that close, never mind the shape.

[jakeroot]

I like Minnesota's highway marker the best--The state shape is there, but small and in the corner because it's not important.  The colors are interesting, the state name is there, and the route number is clear as it takes up most of the space.  Aesthetically pleasing AND it gets the job done.

This is why I use them as wall décor.

I also really like them, but I really wish they'd change the colors of them. From a distance, I couldn't tell the Interstate and State Highway markers apart from one another. Obviously up close it was a no-brainer, but from a distance...not so much.

Maybe a white-on-black design if snow contrast is an issue?

Eww. Nothing other than blue and gold is acceptable to me.

I also don't get how so many people confuse them for Interstate shields. They're not even close to the same shape, never mind the colors.

If you blur your eyes, it's just two blue shapes. From a distance, they're not easily distinguishable: https://goo.gl/sw1dcM

This is something that I noticed in person. I was in Minneapolis in December 2016. Normally my opinions are based on my observations from afar, but this is one of the few that I formulated in-person.

The design? Top notch. Just not a giant fan of the colors. You probably like them because you like Minnesota. Which is fair (though I hate WA's bust as our highway shield), but perhaps a bit biased. Aren't there any other colors that could be used?

[MNHighwayMan]

The design? Top notch. Just not a giant fan of the colors. You probably like them because you like Minnesota. Which is fair (though I hate WA's bust as our highway shield), but perhaps a bit biased. Aren't there any other colors that could be used?

I'm sure there are, and MnDOT's been rumored to consider switching to purely blue and white because the gold color has a terrible habit of fading. (I'll be the first to tell anyone that I'd hate any change to the design, fading be damned.)

I'm guessing that the colors originally came from the state flag, which is a blue background with the state seal, which has a gold circle outline.

[jakeroot]

The design? Top notch. Just not a giant fan of the colors. You probably like them because you like Minnesota. Which is fair (though I hate WA's bust as our highway shield), but perhaps a bit biased. Aren't there any other colors that could be used?

I'm sure there are, and MnDOT's been rumored to consider switching to purely blue and white because the gold color has a terrible habit of fading. (I'll be the first to tell anyone that I'd hate any change to the design, fading be damned.)

I'm guessing that the colors originally came from the state flag, which is a blue background with the state seal, which has a gold circle outline.

I think that might be it. Gotta draw inspiration from somewhere.

Not sure white-on-blue is the best option. That's kind of already taken by a certain other shield. How about, blue on white? Reminiscent of South Carolina, a bit (which undoubtedly drew inspiration from MN's current design).

[MNHighwayMan]

Personally I've been of the opinion that, if they absolutely have to change the color, MnDOT should just switch from using a custom gold color to using the regular yellow warning/advisory sign color. I'm actually fairly certain I've seen some contractor-made shields using that color and while they certainly looked off to my eye (by comparison to the normal color), they didn't look horrible, and they shouldn't have the same fading problem.

[paulthemapguy]

I also really like them, but I really wish they'd change the colors of them. From a distance, I couldn't tell the Interstate and State Highway markers apart from one another. Obviously up close it was a no-brainer, but from a distance...not so much.

Maybe a white-on-black design if snow contrast is an issue?

WAT.  I am filled to the brim with WAT.  About to burst at the seams with WAT.

If you want to contrast with snow, don't use white even as a color for the legend.
And how can you confuse Interstate and state markers?  They don't look remotely similar.  And that should only be an issue when a state highway and Interstate cross that both have the same number, which hopefully doesn't happen in the state of Minnesota.  I like the MN state highway markers because they use color, they prioritize information correctly, they communicate the route number clearly, and they communicate a uniqueness to the state of Minnesota.

[jakeroot]

I also really like them, but I really wish they'd change the colors of them. From a distance, I couldn't tell the Interstate and State Highway markers apart from one another. Obviously up close it was a no-brainer, but from a distance...not so much.

Maybe a white-on-black design if snow contrast is an issue?

WAT.  I am filled to the brim with WAT.  About to burst at the seams with WAT.

If you want to contrast with snow, don't use white even as a color for the legend.

Fair enough. Though minimal white wouldn't be as big of an issue than if the entire background were white, with black letters. At least in my opinion

How does Illinois' shield stick out in snow? The last shields I designed for snow resembled the color scheme of the fluorescent yellow-green warning signs.

And how can you confuse Interstate and state markers?  They don't look remotely similar.  And that should only be an issue when a state highway and Interstate cross that both have the same number, which hopefully doesn't happen in the state of Minnesota.  I like the MN state highway markers because they use color, they prioritize information correctly, they communicate the route number clearly, and they communicate a uniqueness to the state of Minnesota.

Oh for God's sake. I said I like the design. I think it's brilliant. I just don't see why the colors they've chosen are necessary (even if they resemble the flag). There are a multitude of other color combinations they could have chosen, but instead they chose one that resembles an interstate.

I don't disagree that the number is ultimately more important, but my understanding has always been that the Interstate shield was to be uniquely-recognisable. I don't think the MN highway shield is different enough from the Interstate shield to meet this goal.

FWIW, I'm not the only one to consider this as an issue. Someone else has raised it before; of course I can't remember exactly who at this point.