Downtown Way-sort-of-finding
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I'm a big fan of the Downtown Wayfinding signage that's been going up lately, but in a case like this I think the focus should really have been on making sure the locations the sign is pointing to were understandable. MOCA and FIDM are understandable -- that's what the institutions go by -- even if the acronyms aren't that obvious to those not in the know. But isn't there a better way to label the Broadway Theatre District? Maybe just "Broadway Theatres"? Perhaps "Theatre District"? Or just "Broadway Theatre Dst"?
This way reminds me of the highway signs around USC that read "Univ. So. Calif." Sure, it's correct, but it's not anywhere near optimal.
Nic Cha Kim on July 29, 2005, at 08:56AM – #1
Wow, I'm aghast at how they abbreviated THEATRE. Who is going to automatically think
jennyjenn on July 29, 2005, at 03:53PM – #2
Haha! I completely agree. I'm surprised they didn't print "Pershing Sq" on that sign.
And FIDM is not that familiar to folks who don't know about fashion schools in LA. In passing, I've told friends, "You know, FIDM is just down that way" and I've received perplexed facial responses.