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Children's crossing signs in Armenia

Yerevan, vii.1998; pict. M. Tailly
Every trace of individuality has been whipped out.
No face, no hair, no bookbag, no clothes, no sex.
I don't like the modern button-heads.

In fact modern boards aren't any good for improving safety on the road. Icons work because they evocate the real well-known thing. If not, the sign is worthless. Chances are that a driver passing this warning sign will not see the link with children and the need to slow down, but instead will hurry-up because remembering to get some extra wood and matches for the hearth-fire.

Find similar signs in Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
Poland shows that a modern sign is not dull by default.

I wonder why authorities world-wide choose to go with the floating-parts-icon type of roadsigns. It clearly isn't the right approach to standardise or automate manufacture. The industry's sales managers must be highly eloquent to talk them in without any proof.

Our small sample shows much variation in signs based on a rich collection of different building bloks. I think the process isn't understood by the men on the floor: we find body parts in all possible configurations and proportions.
The symptoms aren't confined to the children's signs alone. We have some piteous men too. But there is a plus: you can cut costs and skip quality control, no one will notice.

Giumri, vii.2001; pict. M. Tailly
Yerevan, vii.2001; pict. M. Tailly
Giumri, vii.2001; pict. M. Tailly

Goris, x.2016; pict. L. Parmentier
Yerevan, 12.viii.2010; pict. M. Tailly

Kneeling on the road is not a wise thing to do!

Giumri, vi.2003; pict. M. Tailly

At last a sign featuring real people. The drawing is probably based on the design formerly found in several Euro­pean countries. You'll find examples in The Netherlands, on the Azores and (more static) in Austria and Belgium.

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More signs from Armenia: Men at work - Falling rock signs