RE: Homeless Signs

I agree with both Stephanie and Antoinette. I think that while fancy, graphically designed signs are a cool idea, I would get the impression that if the person has the money or skill to get those signs, why do they need to beg on the street (that is of course if I hadn't read the article that they are free, which I am sure most people haven't). I also agree that I am more likely to give to a funny sign.

With that said, I was searching the internet on more about homeless signs, as it is not a graphic design topic I have thought much about, and I stumbled upon another homeless sign design project/organization. It turns out that there is another group, also in Boston, homelesssigns.org, who are creating better "designed" signs for the homeless and distributing them in hopes of helping the hopeless grab more attention and get more donations. Instead of custom designing a homeless persons previous cardboard sign, this group is simply handing out one of three generic signs they have created. The signs read: "Homeless." "Veteran." or "Please help." They are typed in every designers favorite typeface, Helvetica, and are printed on plain white paper and are then laminated. There are two available sizes, letter or tabloid. This organization believes these signs are creating "pronounced disparity mak[ing] the signs-and the people holding them-impossible to ignore."

What do you think? I personally think these signs do even less then the custom designed. They show (one who is not aware of the organization) the homeless person "has access" to a computer. Although the organization name is printed on the lower right corner of each sign, no passerby, especially the usual car, is going to notice that small print. I don't know, maybe I am just being to critical and a skeptic. I also do not think they stand out at all.