A new range of motoring-themed cards and gifts by a Welsh creator produces unexpected humour from the serious world of traditional British road signs.
Traphic products include greetings cards, coasters and framed posters, each with a very different take on very familiar imagery.
While, the road sign image may be familiar, the message is designed to cause a surprise and raise a laugh.
So, a birthday card with a ‘50’ sign carries the message “Don’t slow down”, and a ‘Police Slow’ sign is followed by “Everyone else really fast”.
The initial range comprises coasters, greetings cards, and framed prints, and proposed products include notelets to leave on annoying drivers’ windscreens, road signs to show annoying drivers, original screenprints, cushions, and keyrings.
Traphic is the brainchild of Cardiff-based artist, designer and car enthusiast, David Hopkins, as part of his new venture, Screamprint.
“As a designer, I’m full of admiration for the famous UK road signs,” said David. “They have immediate impact and provide important information simply and efficiently, proper graphic design. But it’s also intriguing to see what more they could say if they were viewed slightly differently”.
“All road sign images are Crown Copyright, but if that copyright is acknowledged, the images can be used in other contexts. I’ve obtained permission from the Department of Transport that the use is appropriate, and so I’ve been able to explore the humour of taking something traditional and giving it an unexpected twist”.
Traphic products are currently available online at www.screamprint.co.uk and it is expected that they will also be sold through gift shops, museums, car clubs, and motoring-related locations, such as motorway service stations.
