I don’t have a lot of experience in signs. I know some of the basic guidelines, like for billboards (simple message, under five words) and a few others.
What I am pretty comfortable with is the English language — especially in writing (okay, typing).
If you are into signs or any type of similar public display, let me offer a little PSA with a couple “don’ts” for you.
The first one (right) is a simple improper use of apostrophe. Use apostrophe s — ’s — only to show that something possesses something else. Don’t use an apostrophe because you don’t like the way an s looks at the end of a word. Unfortunately, there are plenty other examples of apostrophe abuse.
The other one (below) also is pretty basic mistake. Even my 2nd grade son
knows that when you write or read, you do so left to right, or up to down. Not, bottom to top. (If you happen to recognize this one, please know that it was done by a volunteer parent, not the school. And, it was not done by me or my wife. I’m sure the parent put in a lot of time making the door signs and is to be commended for the effort; just not as much on the end result.)
If these little tidbits can save your own “sign language,” I can sleep easier at night.
-Mike
