Hollywood Signs demonstrates that signage is more than functional; it’s a work of art in its own right. Vintage and contemporary color images of world-famous signs, such as the enormous neon dragons of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the neon Brown Derby hat, demonstrate the incredible craftsmanship and artistry of each and every design. Hollywood Signs takes readers on a visual tour of some of Hollywood’s hottest locales, including the world-famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, and iconic Sunset Boulevard. Sites range from dive bars and diners to elite examples of architecture, including signs designed for buildings by Richard Neutra and R.M. Schindler. But it’s not just international icons and Hollywood hot-spots: Hollywood Signs features hidden gems known by only the most observant locals, like the hand-painted signs above Morgan’s Camera Shop and the colorful neon atop the Frolic Room.
Design aficionados will appreciate the unique typography, colors, and styles of all these featured signs, and will love insights into the history behind the most important fabricators in sign history. Thankfully, many of these incredible signs are still with us today, but many others have been lost to time. Their beauty and their magic is resurrected here, making a compelling case for the urgency in preserving what we have.
An in-person presentation by Kathy Kikkert, author and graphic designer