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 Information and Instructional signs, i.e. signs that offer valuable knowledge about accessibility and services or effortlessly express wishes for or command certain behaviour. 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).
Information and Instructional Signs
Wheelchair access
Wheelchair access [ large preview ]
“A picture is worth a thousand words in any language.” Licensed: Creative Commons. Photo taken by Pat Cullen from Taiwan.
Disability Senior Signs
Disability Senior Signs [ large preview ]
“Sign of priority for disabilities and seniors.” Licensed: CC-BY-SA 3.0. Photo taken by Luya Tshimbalanga from Canada.
Medic
Medic [ large preview ]
“Medic station sign on a beach in Kiten, Bulgaria.” Photo taken by Michael Komm from Czech republic.
Fire Alarm Sign
Fire Alarm Sign [ large preview ]
“We are currently renovating a new office and this made me chuckle, not so much focus on the sign (which is clear if slightly redundant) as the whole scene.” Photo taken by Samuel Vince-Lane from UK.
Push to go on
Push to go on [ large preview ]
“Push and use your strength to go to a new door. Every person should use their strength to archive a new life.” Photo taken by Suriafur-Ken from Japan.
The Russian fire extinguisher
The Russian fire extinguisher [ large preview ]
“Aboard a speedboat in St. Petersburg, Russia.” Licensed: © 2008 by Max Pfetscher. Photo taken by Max Pfetscher from Germany.
Going to Hakata or Tokyo??
Going to Hakata or Tokyo?? [ large preview ]
“Taken inside Japan Shinkansen, very useful information.” Photo taken by Puspita Sekarsari from Indonesia.
No way out
No way out [ large preview ]
“No exit sign in a London tube stop.” Licensed: Creative Commons. Photo taken by Steven Mileham from England.
Bus sign
Bus sign [ large preview ]
“This bus was out of service at the time and the drver, very politely, put Pause on the sign instead of the traditional “no service”.” Licensed: All rights reserved. Photo taken by Helmuth Kraus M. from Colombia.
Tobogganing instruction icons
Tobogganing instruction icons [ large preview ]
“Instruction icons for tobogganing.” Licensed: Free. Photo taken by Cleiren from Netherlands.
Don’t Jump
Don’t Jump [ large preview ]
“Sign on the Golden Gate Bridge - there is a phone below the sign that connects you to crisis counseling.” Photo taken by Jeremy Brann from USA.
The Wine Sign
The Wine Sign [ large preview ]
“Whilst driving through the long and winding roads in croatia, vineyards litter the hillsides and plains, this sign i saw coming up pretty much summed up the whole landscape in front of us.” Photo taken by Mike Drummond from United Kingdom.
Ich Warte Hier!
Ich Warte Hier! [ large preview ]
“Waiting area for dogs at a local shopping mall. The sign says: I’m waiting here.” Photo taken by Andris Linz from Switzerland.
Gandhi’s Room
Gandhi’s Room [ large preview ]
“This sign appears on the door of Gandhi’s room at Ahmedabad, India.” License: Its a public property, hence license not needed. Photo taken by Bhaskar Dutta from India.
Swimming zone
Swimming zone [ large preview ]
“Boracay island Philippines Beach.” Photo taken by David Coates from UK.
Impounded motorcycles
Impounded motorcycles [ large preview ]
“Boracay island Philippines impounded motorcycles.” Photo taken by David Coates from UK.
Bridge sign
Bridge sign [ large preview ]
“Name of a bridge in Amsterdam.” Photo taken by Anastasia Fedorenkova from The Netherlands.
Buhay na karagatan (the living ocean)
Buhay na karagatan (the living ocean) [ large preview ]
“The living ocean signage on manila ocean park.” Photo taken by Patricia Recto from Philippines.
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Animal Spirits
Animal Spirits [ large preview ]
“This was taken at Disneyland California Adventures in the Brother Bear camp. My animal spirit was a bear!” Photo taken by Diane Hua from USA.
A forest brings limitless vitality
A forest brings limitless vitality [ large preview ]
“Picture taken during my trip to Huashan Mountain in China in 2007.” License: Free. Photo taken by Yann Lorber from The Netherlands.
Devote your love to every green leaf
Devote your love to every green leaf [ large preview ]
“Picture taken during my trip to Huashan Mountain in China in 2007.” License: Free. Photo taken by Yann Lorber from The Netherlands.
Manly Beach Surf Rescue
Manly Beach Surf Rescue [ large preview ]
“Short Photo of Surf Rescue Signage on Surf Board at Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia.” Photo taken by Pierre Von Schmytt from UK.
Hard to Breathe
Hard to Breathe [ large preview ]
“An AIR pump all crackled and dirty.” Photo taken by Patty Tuggle from USA.
Tiger territory 1
Tiger territory 1 [ large preview ]
“At the entrance of pench tiger reserve, india.” Photo taken by Pradiptamohan Basu from India.
Chichen Itza1
Chichen Itza1 [ large preview ]
“This sign information shows to see the pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico. the text is in Spanish and Mayan language.” Photo taken by Gerardo Chaves from Colombia.
Hochwasser Marz 1988
Hochwasser Marz 1988 [ large preview ]
“Classic sign, photo taken on a trip to Germany.” License: Jan Gudiksen. Photo taken by Jan Gudiksen from Denmark.
Do you know water…
Do you know water… [ large preview ]
“Taken at the Marina Barrage in Singapore.” Photo taken by Dan Taylor from USA.
General vs recyclable wastes
General vs recyclable wastes [ large preview ]
“Taken in MacDonalds in Taiwan. Signs to show the different bins for the different kind of wastes.” Photo taken by Soh Hui Shian Sandy from Singapore.
Another Ship sign
Another Ship sign [ large preview ]
“Picture made on a ship, that travels from Riga to Stockholm.” Photo taken by Gatis Strods from Latvia.
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