Hamilton Gateway Sign

[FairHamilton]

Have I missed any discussion on this on the board, or has none taken place? A friend just sent me the link so I don't know when the Design Study was launched (perhaps it was recently).

Any opinions (like anyone on this board has a an opinion, haha) on the designs?

http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...esignStudy.htm

[HAMRetrofit]

please three.

The other three are corny. Why can't someone with real talent be hired to design this sign?

[raisethehammer]

lame.
this stuff is such crap.

How about a waterfall feature or something unique...
the only one I like out of these is the High Level Bridge.
but even it's pretty lame.

[beanmedic]

After looking at the PDFs, I like the steel one the best. I think it is the most attractive. I don't think steel is the image we want to project moving into the future, but it's the nicest looking one there.

The high level bridge sign would be nice, but the whole design looks old and dated.

[HAMRetrofit]

I personally think the idea of imitating a feature that already exists on the sign quite cheesy. There are thousands of people that have experience designing signs. I believe that an international competition should be held to find the best solution.

[oldcoote]

Don't like any of them.

Did they actually hire a graphics company to design this stuff?

[FairHamilton]

Yeah, none of them really inspire me.

I agree with RTH something incorporating waterfalls might be nice, or how about the escarpment.

I find it funny Option 4, Diverse Landscapes, only includes trees as a backdrop. Perhaps they are different types of trees and that's where the diversity comes from......

I like Industrial Heritage, but it seems to be focused on Hamilton's past (the name says it all). Besides everybody already associates Hamilton with steel, and Health Services are a bigger employer in the city now. Let's be forward looking in the sign, not looking in the rearview.

I guess civic input is just choosing 1, 2, 3 or 4. A contest/project at a graphic design school would have been a good choice.

Heck, they could have filmed it and made it into a reality show. You want to promote Hamilton across the nation (or on the Internet) put together a reality show on the drive to create a new highway sign for Hamilton. Hmm I kind of like it, perhaps my random musings have come up with a good idea.

[block43]

The website lists option 5 none of these and allows people to upload an image for submission.

[markbarbera]

The civic input page is here. Civic input is not limited to selecting option 1-4. You may also select option 5 for none of the above, there is a comment field to be used at your leisure, and, as block43 pointed out, you can even submit an image should you have a specific idea on a different gateway. The final day to submit your opinion is June 27.

Personally, I have chosen option 4. The diversity is in the vegetation, which varies depending on the unique qualities of each individual gateway, which I think is kinda neat. A detailed description of the options can be found by selecting the option listed on this page

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by block43

The website lists option 5 none of these and allows people to upload an image for submission.

Where?? I don't see an Option 5.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Where?? I don't see an Option 5.

follow the link in my post above your latest post.

here is the full url:
http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...sign+Study.htm

[SteelTown]

They should use a limestone background from the Escarpment, plenty of quarry around for that, with water pouring from the limestones over the word Hamilton to symbolize the many waterfalls here.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

They should use a limestone background from the Escarpment, plenty of quarry around for that, with water pouring from the limestones over the word Hamilton to symbolize the many waterfalls here.

That's the best idea yet!! Anyone know how to graphic design it!? haha

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

follow the link in my post above your latest post.

here is the full url:
http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...sign+Study.htm

Got it, thanks. I was typing my last post when you posted the link.

[raisethehammer]

I can't do up images any good, but I'll suggest the waterfall theme too.
Option 5 for sure...I missed that the first time around.
Good find.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

They should use a limestone background from the Escarpment, plenty of quarry around for that, with water pouring from the limestones over the word Hamilton to symbolize the many waterfalls here.

Great idea. Water is the element which would separate the sign from a boring static one to a 'living' one.

I went for a walk at lunch and was stopped dead in my tracks by a beautiful pond and waterfall at Tecumseth and Richmond here in Toronto.

[SteelTown]

I can't do graphic design either. Anyone can steal my idea.

It'll be SSP Local: Hamilton stamped approved lol.

[matt602]

Apparently I'm the only person that likes #1. I've always liked our city's logo. Kinda looks like the CIBC towers. I like the industrial one as well, but not in the design presented.

[Millstone]

#1 is the best. However the entrance to the QEW side is currently a "Stoney Creek" thing that would need to be eliminated, good luck with that.

[raisethehammer]

Lol.