The Department of Transportation put up new signs for the US Route 52 extension through town and they are making me crazy. The “52” does not follow the universal graphic standards for road signs and is a different font even from the US 20 sign on the same post. Didn’t someone notice this?
(sign on the Left how it is now — notice the different shape of the “2”s and thickness of the numbers — vs. sign on the Right of how it should be)
The DOT isn’t the only one ignoring standards. The nearby shopping center has also butchered the font on its stop signs — causing me to cringe as with nails on a chalkboard every time I drive by.
These minor differences probably go unnoticed by the majority of people who see them, but that doesn’t make them acceptable. There are times when creativity and modifications serve as enhancements, but this isn’t one of those times.
Neither was the time when notecards were printed with the wrong color for our university logo. The office that ordered them wanted to use them anyway — they were “close enough” — but, wisely, we immediately recycled them and ordered replacements. The same should happen with these signs.
If you allow variation without consequences you cede control and forego any hope of graphic or brand integrity. Be vigilant about maintaining your standards or it’s like not having them at all.