British road signs star in New York exhibition

22/07/2021 | HIGHWAYS

The distinctive iconography of British road signs will be featured as part of an exhibition at the world-famous Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York this summer.

The exhibition, ‘Automania’, opened on 4 July and features some of Margaret Calvert’s original artwork for British road signs including 'Roadworks' and 'Children'.

British road signs have long been considered a design classic and are copied throughout the world.

The original fonts and pictograms of Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinneir from the 1960s are still used today and so embedded into the national consciousness that they are sometimes referred to as the design language of Britain.

Nowadays they are made available to local authorities, sign manufacturers and the Department for Transport itself through specialist software such as SignPlot, supplied by Buchanan Computing based in London.

Simon Morgan, chairman at Buchanan Computing, and a leading expert in road signage facilitated the choice and production of the signs for the exhibition and is himself credited as one of the artists involved in the large direction sign that will be exhibited.

He said: 'It was a privilege to work with Margaret Calvert, MoMA and the RBLI to ensure that these iconic designs were correctly made to feature in such a prestigious venue as MoMA. The five chosen signs were recreated using the recent restorations that Margaret made to her designs of 60 years ago.

'The direction sign, which Margaret and I chose to base upon the Hogarth Roundabout in Chiswick, needed a few adjustments to wind the clock back to the original 1960s standard.

'As a result of previous collaborations, I was delighted to again involve ex-servicemen and others from the Royal British Legion Industries who made the signs ready to ship to New York.

'It is a tribute to both Jock’s and Margaret’s design skills that these design templates are still very much in use today and her iconic designs have gone on to gain fame across the world.'

‘Automania' explores the ways in which motor vehicles have reshaped the world over the past century and the lasting imprint on the design and organisation of today’s built environment.

It will showcase three of the most iconic signs designed by Calvert and Kinneir together with two worded signs that demonstrate the skill with which they designed the Transport font and associated layout rules:

  • Roadworks
  • Cattle
  • Children
  • Roundabout advance direction sign
  • Temporary diversion

Margaret Calvert said: 'Little did I imagine, when working on these signs sixty years ago, that they would still be in use today, and displayed in New York’s world-famous Museum of Modern Art, in their exhibition ‘Automania’. This wouldn’t have been possible without the help and expertise of Buchanan Computing and the RBLI.'

Military veterans working in RBLI’s factory (above) which employs more than 100 people – 70% of whom are veterans, have a disability, or both - produced the examples for the exhibition alongside their work producing signage for roads throughout Britain, Network Rail and many other purposes.

Kate Bull, director from RBLI said: 'We are very proud to have our work showcased in this exhibition. The signs produced for MoMA are true road signs. They conform to all current UK legislation; including reflectivity, font, typography and having a 12 year life span, proving that good design and expert manufacture can stand the test of time.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW