Comment

This Crown Game Preserve sign was produced for the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, part of a standardized program of environmental and public signage that emerged in the 1970s. Employing a clear black-on-yellow palette, the sign communicates its message directly: ‘Hunting and Trapping Prohibited.’

The design follows the specifications established in Ontario’s Government Visual Identity Manual of 1972, and subsequently later revised in 1975. The manual unified visual standards across ministries, promoting legibility, accessibility, and consistency in public communications. Helvetica was selected as the primary typeface, reflecting the era’s preference for clarity and neutrality, while the use of high-contrast colour ensured maximum visibility in outdoor environments.

This particular example illustrates how graphic standards extended beyond administrative paperwork or promotional material into the physical landscape. In doing so, design became an active participant in conservation efforts — reinforcing public policy with clarity and authority, while also serving as a visible reminder of the province’s broader stewardship of its natural resources.

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