Geotype Submission

The Geotype project charts the rich history of lettering and type forms that have established the identity of cities and towns around the world. Explore the map

How does this letter-form communicate its location?

This is an example of a Milton Keynes street sign. All street signs across the town share this style – Black Helvetica lettering on a plain white background. Helvetica was born from the Swiss graphic design movement which advocated clarity, order and impact. These priorities align with the ethos of Milton Keynes as a new town project. Today, Helvetica has an almost timeless and effortless quality. However, this particular photo shows a street sign that has not been maintained and has deteriorated over time. This seems almost poetic to me, showing that perhaps “all is not well in paradise”.

Location

Belvoir Avenue, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, UK