Developing the Socially Charged Road Sign

Here is a fascinating article on designing the arguably Un-PC Road sign in San Diego. When I first viewed this sign I thought it to be a bad prank, this article discusses the signs need at that time and how its design came about. Plus the transformation into a social commentary in pop culture.

Here is a snippet from the article:

"It doesn't just mean they are running across the freeway," Hood said. "It means they are running from something else as well. I think it's a struggle for a lot of things, for opportunities, for freedom."

The first signs were unveiled in September 1990 at Camp Pendleton. Almost immediately, reaction came from all sides. Some Latinos felt insulted by the faceless silhouettes, which they found reminiscent of animal-crossing signs. Anti-illegal immigration advocates were angry that a state agency would be trying to protect people who had broken the law. Some people feared the signs would be misread as indicating safe places to cross."

check it out at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050410/news_1n10signs.html