"Do Not Lean" on the Inconsistent Font

Photo by Brian Feeney.

After we covered the grammatically-busted Brodaway sign on Brooklyn's G platform yesterday, a number of font-philes questioned the typography in many "Do Not Lean" decals adorning subway doors. NYC Transit's Paul Fleuranges tells us that while "customers see fit to vandalize" signs, this particular error could be blamed on the car builder. He explained:

We did have a recent problem with a car builder who took it upon themselves to manufacture and apply subway car decals without the prior approval of NYC Transit. The cars were delivered to NYC Transit with the wrong decals. They have since been instructed not to do so going forward, and those that were applied in error will be replaced with NYC Transit approved and manufactured decals.

For an extensive history on subway fonts, there's an interesting article here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on February 10, 2009 12:17 PM

Comments [rss]

cucarachita

Who's asking them to spend money? We're just reassuring ourselves that we're not going nuts and seeing things! What's wrong with that? I stared at those decals for a while, thinking I needed to get my eyes checked till I realized what was going on.

NannyState

Totally agree: it's like some cruel trick.

inoyourider

As much as I also like to nitpick, this is 2009.

Let's shut up and not make them spend more of our money on something this dumb.

aspiringrapper

They're worried about decals? Try getting more of the riders to use correct grammar & not speak like the ghetto dwelling hoodlums they are.

ides_of_march

Probably done by someone who sends a lot of ransom notes.

NannyState

It's our fault: if somebody hadn't leaned on that door, the proper helvetica lettering would have endured.

Wza

Yeh, I noticed this awhile ago, thought my eyes were buggin' out. I don't think it's a big deal though.

robingee

I think it looks kinda funky!

TheKlaus

Jesus Christ people, if THIS is enough to perturb you, why don't you just walk to work with a bag over your head.

Nick S

I'd rather they leave the wonky font and divert the funds that were going to be used for replacement stickers to, you know, something that improves service.

zodak

this was noticed months ago.

colonelcasey

now this complaining is getting absurd. why the heck should font size matter? the TA fixed the problem by using their regular stickers...what's the big deal here?

longacre

I noticed this a couple years ago on the new cars. I presumed the car manufacturer outsourced the sticker printing to a China, where English text seems to often end up looking like this.

Dirk

Nerds!

Nick S

Really? Nothing better to worry about than this? NOTHING?

pipsy

There are too many fat asses leaning on these signs anyway. Something tells me the font inconsistency isn't to blame.

Kevin Walsh

It's a mix of Helvetica and Standard.

BFD, it's two different fonts.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Atomische

How much money will the MTA spend fixing this trivial problem?

kane

My thoughts exactly. Let's focus on how to prevent cutting entire train lines, then focus on the smaller issues.

effinclassy

Did the train car manufacturer charge the MTA for the signs they didn't order, and if so, did the MTA pay for them?

littlepinkknife

I've also noticed these for a while now. It seems like someone would have to work really hard to make Helvetica look this bad - it looks like the "o"s are turned on their sides! Gothamist I'm very glad you reported on this!

NannyState

This is the kind of ground-breaking, penetrating investigative journalism that Gothamist has become known and widely respected for!

ed_Extinct

this could be a variety of issues, it could be the font, or more likely a printing registration issue or wrongly cut vinyl.

Toby von Meistersinger

I noticed these when the R160s were new. I wanted to take my copy of Massimo Vignelli's 1970 New York City Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual and thwack someone over the head with it, but that wouldn't be a good idea since I might damage a valuable book.