Hauser Schwarz, 'Rakete', external sign of the container system by NRS Team in Basel, 2012. (Hauser, Schwarz)
Hauser, Schwarz
Hauser Schwarz, 'Rakette', sample for external lettering of the NRS Team container system in Basel, 2012. (Hauser, Schwarz)
Hauser, Schwarz
Reitmen School, floor lettering in the new building by Graber Pulver Architects in Schlieren, 2017. (Bivgrafik, Zurich)
Bivgrafik, Zürich
Bivgrafik, City Garden Hotel, façade lettering on the new EM2N building in Zug, 2009. (Roger Frei)
Roger Frei
Hi-Visual design, Toni area, illuminated lettering on the south façade of the EM2N university campus in Zurich, 2014. (Bivgrafik, Zurich)
Bivgrafik, Zürich
Floor number made of oak for new building by Ernst Gerber Architects and Urech Architects, Bern-West, 2015−2016. (Damian Poffet/Superbüro)
Damian Poffet/Superbüro
Olaf Nicolai, Lochergut. Luminous typeface sculpture by Pool Architekten in Zurich, 2006, retrofitted 2016. (Marcel Meury)
Marcel Meury
Beat Keusch Visuelle Communication, REHAB Basel, façade lettering on the new building by Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, 2007. (BKVK)
BKVK
Nora Wagner, Hannes Gloor, Abraha Achermann Architects, 3D-printed house number 4b at the ceramic clad entrance to a building in Zurich, 2018. (ZHdK)
Umberto Romito
Ruedi Baur of 'Integral', National Archive, Paris, indoor sign, Pierrefites-sur-Seine in France, 2013. (IRB Paris)
IRB Paris
Ruedi Baur of 'Integral', National Archive, Paris, outdoor sign, Pierrefites-sur-Seine in France, 2013. (IRB Paris)
IRB Paris
Indoors or outdoors, signs are all around us. They tell us where we are and signify a building’s identity. Zurich’s Museum for Design is celebrating Swiss sign design with an exhibition “3D-Schrift am Bau” (3D signs on buildings).
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Born in England, I've lived in Switzerland since 1994. I trained as a graphic designer in Zurich between 1997 – 2002. More recently I have moved on to work as photo editor and joined the team at swissinfo.ch in March 2017.
We are all aware of the term 3D – three-dimensional – when talking about films, virtual reality or printing. This technology can enhance visual perspective and the dimensions used for sign-making, the subject of the exhibition at the Museum for DesignExternal link. Visitors can see examples of how designers experiment with technology and new materials.
With a focus on Swiss signage, the exhibition also presents a selection of international inscriptions for buildings and their surroundings. There are 24 projects presenting 3D writing on the outside and inside of buildings. The designers of the 3D typefaces, including architects and artists, work in interdisciplinary teams.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.