Lucie Thomas

Street signs often embody the identity and spirit of a city. Each city develops its own distinctive visual language for signage, shaped by history, culture, and local design sensibilities. Madrid is particularly renowned for its unique ceramic street signs perfectly square tiles featuring hand-painted illustrations positioned above the street names. These signs are more than just functional; they are works of art.
Their intricate details and craftsmanship often tell a story, referencing historical events, cultural heritage, or notable figures associated with the street. In many instances, the names originated from popular nicknames used by locals, capturing the city's vibrant and colorful past.
This tradition dates back to the 19th century and continues to be a recognisable symbol of Madrid’s urban identity. However, while the signs are visually charming, the typefaces used on them can sometimes lack legibility. Certain letters, particularly the “s,” present challenges in terms of spacing and typeface pairing.
As a result, reading the signs from a distance or at a glance can be challenging. The goal is to enhance readability while preserving the authenticity and elegance of the original design. One approach is to create a lowercase typeface inspired by the original capital letters, maintaining the traditional aesthetic while improving overall clarity and usability in modern contexts.
A big thank you to the whole team for giving me the opportunity to bring this to life!

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