Signs Different Quote by Carley Moore
““The BOYS sign was different from the GIRLS sign, the letters more blocky and squared-off, more masculine than the curvier almost cursive letters of the GIRLS sign. Who decides these things, I wondered… Who decides that the boy and girl signs should be different, one hypermasculine and one hyperfeminine? Jeez, even these signs tell us how to behave. Boys--stocky, blocky, solid, and firm. Girls--wavy, curvy, pretty, and flowery.””
About This Quote
Gendered design in signage reinforces stereotypes, shaping expectations of behavior for boys and girls.
In simple terms: Signs with masculine or feminine styles reinforce gender stereotypes.
Key Takeaway
Question and challenge gendered design norms.
Themes
gender
design
stereotypes
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
social commentary
observational
When to use this quote
- marketing
- education
- public signage
- branding
Key Concepts
social construction
visual communication
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides design standards?
- How can we create more neutral symbols?
A Different Perspective
Design choices can be subtle but powerful, and change may face resistance.
![“Evidence that [feminine aesthetic preferences and ways of expressing oneself] may be hardwired comes from the fact that they typically appear early in childhood and often in contradiction to one's socialization. […] This indicates that some aspects of feminine verbal and aesthetic expression…” quote by Julia Serano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/300/julia-serano-16814_aesthetic_evidence-that-feminine-aesthetic-prefere_3220216.jpg)
