Studying all signs in use in the city.

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Looking at the map of fire valves and estimating scope of work.

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Making first sketches, searching for accents and choosing the best layout. We need to make sure our sign is easily readable and cannot be confused with other signs.

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Receiving comments and taking them into account.

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Deciding that it’s time to talk to fire services. Finding out which elements are important to them and must be on the sign. Making another attempt.

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Other designers join in suggesting a sign with a heroic fireman. Taking note.

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The art director suggests to make a round sign, referencing the shape of manhole covers.

Going to look at the covers in the city. As it turns out, not all of them are round.

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Many of the covers are already painted. However, that doesn’t prevent cars from parking on top of them.

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Thinking of the best way to show the type of manhole to the driver. Maybe using a firetruck?

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Trying it out in real life.

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Coming to realization that we need better solutions. Also deciding to abandon manhole numbering for the sake of faster implementation.

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Understanding that the task was poorly formulated from the start. Continuing to work and making emphasis on the fireman icon.

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Finding out that there are other types of signs as well, such as for gas pipelines.

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Trying out a sample.

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Working on the fireman icon.

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Art director: They look like schoolboys. The right one is better, but he has a belly and looks battered.

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Creating the fireman, preparing the cover design and finding out exact dimensions of the signs.

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