This gallery presents the collection of photos submitted for the World Of Signage 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 Graffiti and Hand-Written signs, i.e. signs that incorporates unique, individual artistic expression to communicate the meaning and the purpose of the sign. 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).
Graffiti and Hand-Written Signs
Enter the Cafe
Enter the Cafe [ large preview ]
“Cute hand made sign pointing to the entrance of a cosy cute cafe in Melbourne.” Licensed: Copyright Mary Pho 2010. Photo taken by Mary Pho from Australia.
Grunge Numbers
Grunge Numbers [ large preview ]
“Weathered poster showcasing numbers in various sizes and fonts, Seattle, WA.” Photo taken by Derek Hollister from USA.
68, Zibo, Shandong, China
68, Zibo, Shandong, China [ large preview ]
“The number 68 painted on the side of a building in China.” Photo taken by Shelby Karns from Mexico.
Bar wall showing offers
Bar wall showing offers [ large preview ]
“Instead of putting a floor display up in front of the Icelandic cafe, it decided to paint its own wall.” Photo taken by Caroline Baumann from Germany.
EL CHE
EL CHE [ large preview ]
”“EL CHE” ama su pose-ESPERA-Que lo pase no bien más bien VIP.” Photo taken by Dulce Mariana Ayala Bárcenas from Querétaro, México.
Scaffolders
Scaffolders [ large preview ]
“Dali Street China.” Photo taken by Nama Saya Manu from France.
Jailed if caught urinating
Jailed if caught urinating [ large preview ]
“I took this photo of a sign just outside a mall in Iloilo. The sign also says that only dogs urinate there.” Photo taken by Febrina Tanghal from Philippines.
Lucky paint
Lucky paint [ large preview ]
“An advert for a painter called Lucky.” License: All rights reserved. Photo taken by Gareth Shapiro from England.
Basura
Basura [ large preview ]
“Hand-painted littering sign at Chicano Park (San Diego).” Photo taken by Eduardo Garcia from USA.
Be an ASSFOAMer now!
Be an ASSFOAMer now! [ large preview ]
“Mattress-reseller’s building facade in Ghana.” Licensed: Creative Commons (by-nc-nd 3.0). Photo taken by Olli Toivonen from Finland.
Leave Lane Alane
Leave Lane Alane [ large preview ]
“Say no to development on Ottago lane.” Photo taken by Shalmali Patkar from United Kingdom.
Tacos on a Hot Day
Tacos on a Hot Day [ large preview ]
“Texture is too often an unconsidered element in typography. The was a great sign that had character, as well as characterized the atmosphere of the tacoria.” Licensed: © Tatsuma Watson. Photo taken by Tatsuma Watson from USA.
The heart
The heart [ large preview ]
“Photo taken in The Exclusion Zone of Novosibirsk Hydropower Station.” Photo taken by Maria Demina from Russia.
Excellent question
Excellent question [ large preview ]
“Taken in quincy illinois on a january morning.” Photo taken by kymberlie birkenkamp from USA.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy [ large preview ]
“My mom had this sign made of my Vietnamese name at the Lunar New Year festival.” Photo taken by Diane Hua from USA.
I’m on Vacation
I’m on Vacation [ large preview ]
“Notice to everyone on the beach that I was on vacation.” Photo taken by Kat Harris from USA.
Lasciare Libero Il Wendeplatz
Lasciare Libero Il Wendeplatz [ large preview ]
“A funny picture shot near Imperia, Italy.” License: GPL. Photo taken by Christoph Martens from Germany.
AllBathers
AllBathers [ large preview ]
“A 40+ year old hand painted sign in the change room at our pool. Perfectly crafted and executed.” Photo taken by Clint Turcotte from Canada.
Opposing Type
Opposing Type [ large preview ]
"A rare opportunity where I found a juxtaposition of tranquil typography and exciting graffiti." Licensed: ©Tatsuma Watson. Photo taken by Tatsuma Watsonfrom USA.
Pear danish street sticker
Pear danish street sticker [ large preview ]
“The text in the picture - translated directly to english says ‘pear(as the fruit) danish’ it is a slangword we use in danish when we are 100 percent danish - it’s about racism and intregration and how racist’s want’s newcomer’s to adapt danish culture, religion and society. Squeeze a muslim in a pear - and you get a dane out of him.” Licensed: © Attribution-NonCommercial License. Photo taken by Nanette Gaborit from Denmark.
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