19 May 2009

Pointers

Back in Madison, Wisco, I one day had the idea of building a fun directional sign as a folly for the bike path behind our house. After some hours of construction in the garage and a secret midnight installation, the sign stands (and still does 5 years later). It points to local landmarks, but also weird places, like the middle of the earth. Other people have since added their own directional pointers. This, I like.



Now, here in Austin, we had a lonely old post in our backyard leftover from the POs that I decided to use to support the grape vine (also left by the POs). Then, it became the perfect place for my native bee box. And then, John and I were brainstorming various ways we could art-it-up a bit, and he came up with reusing the sign idea.



Only this time, it's just us and visitors to the backyard that will see it. Our family and friends are scattered all over this beloved Earth, and it points to those people and places that we love. As a bonus, it serves as a compass, showing us north, south, east and west.


I went for a bit more of a mod design on this version, using Helvetica for the letters and numbers. I tell ya, I really got to understand the construction and design of Helvetica when painting those in. I think I understand every curve, proportion and angle on that font.

7 comments:

Iris said...

Love your signs!! A few months ago, I stumbled across a documentary--History channel?--solely devoted to everything Helvetica. I was impressed yet slightly amused at the same time.

Pam/Digging said...

I love your sentimental sign that reminds you of friends and family, Lee. Great idea! It looks really well-executed too.

TexasDeb said...

I harbor a soft spot for such signposts - pointing to all sorts of destinations, some real, some emotional. What a great idea and how typically well designed and executed. Good work!

One question - UT colors are intentional?

Unknown said...

i love the signs! great idea and they look so cool..:) so glad i found your blog..:)

Michael - Plano Prairie Garden said...

Great signs! Have you done a post on your native bee box? I want to buy or make one. In early summer, I have small black bees that collect pollen all day long. In the evening they all cluster on plant stems and knock all the pollen off their legs. Then they start all over the next day. Maybe if they have a home, they will have a purpose for collecting pollen. I think they are mason bees. I would love to hear about your experiences with the bees.

Meredith said...

What a great idea -- I might try to put a sign post in our yard, too, up here in northwest Austin. It will be hard to choose where all to point to!

travis said...

I saw this nearly every day for a year on my path to work. I had no idea you had built it.