What do you call those giant numbers?

March 12, 2009 11:42 AM

Is there a name for the design trend (I think associated with brutalism) in the 60s and 70s where buildings had enormous, sans-serif italic numbers on the walls indicating address, floor or room number? These were often shades of brown, orange or yellow. I have seen numbers so large that the tops and bottoms are clipped by the floor and ceiling.
posted by setanor to media & arts (5 comments total)

supergraphics
posted by extrabox at 11:50 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

Now I can talk about them without having to always recite the same descriptive paragraph!
posted by setanor at 12:11 PM on March 12

That word "supergraphics" also refers to giant advertisements on the sides of buildings. Therefore you may still need to recide the same descriptive paragraph.
posted by kidbritish at 12:28 PM on March 12

Supergraphics is the right term, just popping in to confirm. If you wish to avoid confusion with the newer advertising term, call it op-art supergraphics or supergraphic op-art.
posted by rokusan at 12:34 PM on March 12

Extrabox: Because you I just discovered SpaceInvading! I'm so glad that you exist.
posted by tapesonthefloor at 12:51 PM on March 12