Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mindmetoo]

One of the first things that really jumped out at me in Korea, besides being the only white person on the street, was the exit sign design. It looked like the stick figure from The Saint making a run for a door. All in all, it didn't inspire confidence in me that every Korean exit sign was urging me to get out of the building quickly (*Sampoong department store cough*).

When I went to Japan, I noticed they used the design too. Only later, did I notice the UK uses the design. So, it would seem the Japanese and Koreans adopted the British exit sign. Maybe the Japanese adopted it first and then transmitted it to the Koreans. The Japanese also have right side drive like the Brits.

Anyone know the history of this exit sign?

[billybrobby]

I noticed that both japan and korea use that bumpy yellow strip on the side walk to guide blind people. Which, by the way, I slipped and busted my ass on once when it was raining.

Anyways, here's an article that seems to answer the question:

http://www.firesafe.org.uk/html/fsequip/firesign1.htm

I think maybe the ISO had a hand in bringing it to Japan and Korea. who knows.

[kermo]

I thought this thread was about exit signs that say "WAY OUT." I first saw them at Everland, and I thought "Yeah man, this whole place is WAY OUT there."

[schwa]

Theres an interesting backstory to the pictographs we see & take for granted on signs all over the world. They're basically the brainchild of one man & have a history of less than 40 years.

A Canadian graphic designer, Paul Arthur, conceived them for Expo 67 in Montreal, where they were first implemented. Even the ubiquitous man & woman graphics we see on washrooms originated there. Prior to that, signage (a word he coined) was almost exclusively text, leading to lots of international confusion. His idea made so much sense it became the global standard almost instantly.

As well, his pioneering work on "wayfinding" is reflected in the signs & maps that guide you around any major complex almost everywhere now.

I wonder what other seemingly obvious ideas still await discovery.

[mindmetoo]

Wow good info all.

[Hollywoodaction]