How do you know where to go?
What to do (or not to do)?
When and where to buy, start, stop, eat, drink, loiter, cross the lawn?
Signs.
Signs are everywhere - and they’re communicating with us all the time.
Take a left.
Take a lift.
Wait.
Go.
They’re telling us to be careful: mind the gap, wait behind the yellow line.
And to be good: don’t annoy the neighbours.
Don’t litter.
Don’t fish.
At Fort Tilden Army Reserve Facility on Breezy Point South of Jamaica Bay 05/1973 - National Archives
Signs are ancient. Greeks and Romans used them. Christians used them.
And the Chinese even had branded signs as early as the Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE). White Rabbit Needles were promoted with this print, saying
“Jinan Liu’s Fine Needle Shop: We buy high quality steel rods and make fine quality needles, to be ready for use at home in no time”
Copper plate for White Rabbit Needles branded sign
White Rabbit Needles print
Today, simply look for signs.
Later on in the week we’ll dive deeper into the different category, but for now, start with observing how many signs you see in a day.
Capture them and share them using the hashtag #kramerseye on Instagram or Twitter.