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Carl Webber sends this terrific sign from Epping, New Hampshire and reported in the Manchester Union-Leader.It’s a classic example of emotionally intelligent signage: It aims to bring compliance with the rule (don’t speed through construction sites) by encouraging empathy on the part of the sign viewer. Added bonus: Some of these signs replace “Dad” with […]

Tanny McGregor of Cincinnati sends this example of emotionally intelligent signage that she saw on the streets of Aurora, Indiana.

Emotionally intelligent signage won’t change the world in an end-world-hunger/solve-the-climate-crisis/bring-genocidal-dictators-to-justice sort way. But I do think it can make people’s lives a little bit better.And since we’ve turned this site into something of a clearinghouse for this idea, folks have started to ask for (your) help. Case in point: Lesley, on behalf of an Ontario […]

Seems to be emotionally intelligent signage week here at the Pink Blog.  Reader Julio Appling writes: I was in an immense Bangkok, Thailand shopping mall looking for a toilet, but was concerned that the language barrier might be a hindrance. As it turns out, this sign let me know exactly where I should be headed. […]

In Needham, Massachusetts, town manager Kate Fitzpatrick has been making a bold and creative push to use emotionally intelligent signage to get drivers to slow down. Now Fox News in Boston has picked up the story and done a terrific 90-second video report on Fitzpatrick’s efforts (including a plug for AWNM!)Alas, Fox has prevented people from embedding the video. So if you […]

Nicole Chen, a student at the California College of Arts’ cool new Design Strategy MBA program, sends this example of emotionally intelligent signage, which she photographed on a beach in Barcelona.The comic word bubble is a nice way to soften a somewhat stern message. And my guess is that this surprising and friendly shape, coupled […]

What do I mean when I talk about “emotionally intelligent signage?” My definition is straightforward and perhaps a tad narrow:a) Signage that demonstrates empathy with the viewer (Ex: Don’t worry. This line moves really fast.), orb) Signage that encourages empathy on the part of the viewer as a way to get greater compliance. (Children play […]

My friend Anna Muoio was prowling the mean streets of Camden, Maine, not too long ago when she reached a crosswalk, looked down, and saw a great example of emotionally intelligent signage, which she snapped with her Cannon Powershot.This sign is effective for three inspired and complementary reasons. First, the mere presence of that surprising […]

Regular readers know my obsession with signage, particularly that of the emotionally intelligent variety.Here are three quick sign items from the inbox and the bookpile:1. The Toronto Star‘s Kenneth Kidd has a terrific piece questioning whether the hyperlegalistic signs now dotting the streets of Canada’s largest city actually do any good.  They’re so negative, Kidd writes, that “you’d […]

Trevor Currie sends this photo of an emotionally intelligent sign, which he snapped at Toronto General Hospital.