This gallery presents the collection of photos submitted for the World Of Signange Photo Contest by the readers of Smashing Magazine. We received over 2,500+ photos from our readers across the globe, and present a selection of the most interesting photos in the overview below.
The topic of this gallery is Forbidden signs, i.e. signs that detail all manner of do´s and don´ts and advise against various activities using numerous interesting depictions. Please notice: each photo has a certain license, provided in the description of the photo. Before using the images for private or commercial projects, make sure that the license allows you to do so. Also, you can click on the photos for a larger preview.
Please feel free to take a look at other submissions as well (links to other galleries are listed in the end of this gallery).
“Something is forbidden” signs
Just Don’t Bring Your Dog
Just Don’t Bring Your Dog [ large preview ]
“Sign from a public park.” Photo taken by Dawn Camp from USA.
Do NOT Cross Barrier
Do NOT Cross Barrier [ large preview ]
“From the House floor of the Georgia State Capitol building.” Photo taken by Dawn Camp from USA.
Plakate Verboten Sign
Plakate Verboten Sign [ large preview ]
“Nice stencil typographic sign in Berlin.” License: License CC. Photo taken by Janez Cadez from Slovenia.
Forbidden to place bikes
Forbidden to place bikes [ large preview ]
“Polaroid taken of a sign is in Dutch saying “Forbidden to place bikes on grounds of article 4.2.” License: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs Creative Commons. Photo taken by Jeroen Panjer from The Netherlands.
Rarana Manao Maloto Eto
Rarana Manao Maloto Eto [ large preview ]
“These little signs are common in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. Translated literally from the native Malagasy, “Forbidden to make it dirty here.” You get the idea.” License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Photo taken by Devin Sandberg from USA.
Not a Patient Area
Not a Patient Area [ large preview ]
“Back door of hospital’s long-shuttered nursing school dorm.” Photo taken by David J. Jones from USA.
Pink mmda signage
Pink mmda signage [ large preview ]
”“Bawal ang tao dito” translates to “peole banned here” pink signs like this are posted on busy streets in manila, this was shot near Baclaran Church.” Photo taken by Mercedes Feliciano from Philippines.
NOT Intended for Adult Use
NOT Intended for Adult Use [ large preview ]
“Sign on playground in a public park.” Photo taken by Dawn Camp from USA.
Ausfahrt Einfahrt freihalten
Ausfahrt Einfahrt freihalten [ large preview ]
“Classic sign, garage entry on one door, exit on the other door.” License: Jan Gudiksen. Photo taken by Jan Gudiksen from Denmark.
Free zone
Free zone [ large preview ]
“Free zone sign on a beach in Kiten, Bulgaria.” Photo taken by Michael Komm from Czech republic.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica [ large preview ]
“Before entering the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, you must adhere to the dress code.” Photo taken by Melissa Henry from USA.
A Sign from God
A Sign from God [ large preview ]
“The picture speaks for itself.” Photo taken by Candice Manier from USA.
Ghost man sign
Ghost man sign [ large preview ]
“A workfield sighnage.” Licensed: Royalty Free. Photo taken by Miljkovic Milos from Greece.
Interdit de gratter
Interdit de gratter [ large preview ]
“Prohibited to scratch.” Photo taken by Mahen Nowzadick from Mauritius.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam [ large preview ]
“A particular prohibition.” Photo taken by Vasovic from France.
Mind the notice
Mind the notice [ large preview ]
“Mind-the-notice Photo was taken at China public road.” Photo taken by Novianti from Indonesia.
One stop standing
One stop standing [ large preview ]
“The one-stop-standing.jpg photo was taken at one of the most bigest mall in Southeast Asia, Grand Indonesia Mall.” Photo taken by Novianti from Indonesia.
Forbidden fruit
Forbidden fruit [ large preview ]
“Door inside a Moscow mall.” Photo taken by Marina Nozyer from Russia.
Proibido jogar bitucas de cigarro
Proibido jogar bitucas de cigarro [ large preview ]
“A signage telling people not to throw cigarretes away on the garden.” Photo taken by Dinara Lima from Brazil.
Do not rest your foot on the wall
Do not rest your foot on the wall [ large preview ]
“My foot.” Photo taken by Kisan Bhat from India.
Don’t even think sign
Don’t even think sign [ large preview ]
“A sign was posted to an entrance to a courtyard behind a terraced house in Aarhus.” Photo taken by Lars Roed from Denmark.
Exclusive Use Firemen
Exclusive Use Firemen [ large preview ]
“Old firemen signal in a bus station.” Photo taken by Carla Tomé from Spain.
Ski Piste
Ski Piste [ large preview ]
“Sign on a ski piste.” Photo taken by Alexander Willkomn from Germany.
Rubbish bin signal
Rubbish bin signal [ large preview ]
“Rubbish should be in the bin. If you don’t throw the rubbish in the bin, you will become no head!!!” Licensed: © Vickieabby. All right reserved. Photo taken by Vickie Abby from Macau,China.
Don’t smoke
Don’t smoke [ large preview ]
“You can’t smoke in flight.” Photo taken by Carlos Prioglio from Argentina.
Acceso con precaucion
Acceso con precaucion [ large preview ]
“Entrando al Hogar, pero con precaucion/alto.” Licensed: Attribution. Photo taken by Jose Carlos Juarez from Guatemala.
Forbidden Temple Entrance, Korea
Forbidden Temple Entrance, Korea [ large preview ]
“While many of the temples are open to the public in Korea, the guardians of this particular entrance made it clear that entrance was impossible.” Photo taken by Tessa K. Marmion from USA.
Let’s Start the Fire
Let’s Start the Fire [ large preview ]
“This photo was taken on our client’s wedding.” Photo taken by Lexer Win D.C Alinsod from Philippines.
Rarana Manao Maloto Eto
Rarana Manao Maloto Eto [ large preview ]
“These little signs are common in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. Translated literally from the native Malagasy, “Forbidden to make it dirty here.” You get the idea.” License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Photo taken by Devin Sandberg from USA.
Do not rest your foot on the wall
Do not rest your foot on the wall [ large preview ]
“My foot.” Photo taken by Kisan Bhat from India.
Fence Distance
Fence Distance [ large preview ]
“Notice to leave space around the electrical box.” Licensed: public domain. Photo taken by Jess Bernstein from USA.
Dont Litre
Dont Litre [ large preview ]
“Taken at Nepal.” Photo taken by Hayavadhan from India.
3 year Alcohol Ban
3 year Alcohol Ban [ large preview ]
“Alcohol Ban in Sydney, Australia for 3 years.” Photo taken by Frederick Lontok from Philippines.
No Night Swimming
No Night Swimming [ large preview ]
“This photo was taken at the Bohol Beach Club, a prestigious resort located at Bohol, Philippines.” Photo taken by Leslie Anne S. Cuneta from Philippines.
No smoking gibson desert
No smoking gibson desert [ large preview ]
“Hooded traffic sign with ducktape.” Photo taken by Derk Peter de Rijk from Dutch.
Spitting Prohibited
Spitting Prohibited [ large preview ]
“Street sign in the moutain town of in Shimla, India.” Licensed: Rights granted for use on Smashing Magazine website as part of “The World of Signage Photo Contest”. Photo taken by Doug Going from USA.
Thank you!
Thanks to all participants for taking their time for preparing and sending submissions for the contest and creating a unique and diversified gallery presented above. We truly appreciate and respect your efforts and your time, folks!
Further Galleries
You may want to take a look at other contest galleries, too:
- Abstract and Weird Signs 1
- Abstract and Weird Signs 2
- Advertising and Promotional Signs 1
- Advertising and Promotional Signs 2
- Corporate Logos and Branding Signs
- “Forbidden” Signs 1
- “Forbidden” Signs 2
- Funny, Clever and Original Signs 1
- Funny, Clever and Original Signs 2
- Funny, Clever and Original Signs 3
- Graffiti and Hand-Written Signs 1
- Graffiti and Hand-Written Signs 2
- Hotel, Restaurant and Diner Signs 1
- Hotel, Restaurant and Diner Signs 2
- Hotel, Restaurant and Diner Signs 3
- Information and Instructional Signs 1
- Information and Instructional Signs 2
- Library Signs
- Monument and Memorial Signs
- Museum Signs 1
- Museum Signs 2
- Public and State Building Signs 1
- Public and State Building Signs 2
- Road and Street Signs 1
- Road and Street Signs 2
- Road and Street Signs 3
- Road and Street Signs 4
- Road and Street Signs 5
- School and Park Signs
- Shop and Store Signs 1
- Shop and Store Signs 2
- Shop and Store Signs 3
- Street Wayfinding Signs 1
- Street Wayfinding Signs 2
- Street Wayfinding Signs 3
- Street Wayfinding Signs 4
- Train and Airport Signs 1
- Train and Airport Signs 2
- Underground and Metro Signs
- Warning and Danger Signs 1
- Warning and Danger Signs 2
- Warning and Danger Signs 3
- Warning and Danger Signs 4
- Warning and Danger Signs 5
- Wayfinding in Buildings Signs 1
- Wayfinding in Buildings Signs 2
- WC and Restroom Signs 1
- WC and Restroom Signs 2
- Welcome Signs
- Other photos 1
- Other photos 2