The Detroit Life building opened in 1923 and housed the Detroit Life Insurance company. The carved letters on the façade show a pre-Art Deco Detroit that was steeped in an elegant grander.

While the kerning on the word “Life” sucks, in my opinion, the sign has a gravitas to it that invites the eye to its once gold and copper pressed letters.

One thing that is remarkable about Detroit that sets it apart from other major cities is that there is no serious public transportation system. There are a handful of buses and the People Mover train, but no comprehensive system. So Downtown has a huge number of parking garages and lots, and with them come parking signs.

More Art Deco type, I know, but when that is the style that put Detroit on the map you can’t help but give a few shots over to it. The reason I like this sign is because it is dynamic; the arrow bends around the corner giving a complex direction with only little effort. and the Classic blocky type fits in perfectly with the surrounding Penobscot and Guardian buildings, both Art Deco masterpieces.

Like my other photographs I try to get things other than the typography in the shot to provide some context.

When I was doing my shoot downtown I almost passed this up because it was something I [thought I] wasn’t looking for. It was only after being nearly run down by a skate boarding ruffian that I saw it. I was immediately reminded of Caslon Antique, one of my favorite fonts. The letters are eroded and the building they adorn is in shambles but this sign has so much character.

The type itself is well done and evocative of the glory days of the diner. It seems like Fonzy should be there physically abusing a jukebox while Mr. Miyagi flips burgers in the back.

On my recent jaunt through downtown Detroit, I came along this public art project completely encircling the fountain in Hart Plaza. Each door was identical and able to be stepped through.

While the actual typography is modern (and I like modern) it lends a progressive feeling to the work that is surprising coming from a school district that has been in shambles for the past few years. This work is a good representation of the School District “opening a new door” in it’s history and moving forward from the mistakes of the past.

The things about Detroit is that there is an abundance of parking Downtown because of all the vacant lots where skyscrapers once stood.

I found this parking sign less than a block away from the Abandoned Restaurant. The lettering is evocative of the post Art Deco style that permeates Detroit and shows, once again, a faded and rusted out glory of better times.

Now the building stands empty, a victim of time and failed revitalization attempts. Only the painted mural gives an indication to its past vitality.

I found this on Franklin St. just North of the Ranaissance Center. The street is lined predominately by abandoned warehouses and, oddly enough, an upscale jazz restaurant.

Here we have the two original Coney Islands. The started off as one restaurant, but after a dispute they split the place in half and operated separately.

I like the typography here because if you did not know that they were the same restaurant once you would think that they were totally unrelated (despite being next door to one another).

I found this sign not far from the Hotel Park Avenue. The building was boarded up so there was no indication of what kind of entertainment was provided, but I like to think the worst

I love this sign because it has decayed in a very beautiful way. The colors are still vibrant, and the fragmented neon tube traces letters that will never again be lit up.