[SWA] Sovjetrepubliken Swärje

[TzM23]

I guess the font is, because when I look at the map, I can see that the road numers are in Tratex.

[Snelwegfreak]

That's exactly what made me wondering. I hope it's different. You can say lots of countries here are like ''The Netherlands 2.0'', but everyone has at least their own signage

[riiga]

The signs are mostly based on the previous Swedish design as well as Finnish signs. Still working on putting a good set of them together.

Here's a sneak peek of the current standard:

Spoiler: weergeven

[SjorsB]

Looks good

[TzM23]

They look good, but I think these ones are to much Sweden-Like. I made my signs (which aren't uploaded yet) in the RWS (Dutch) typeface. They became so Dutch, I had to change something. Sometimes changing typefaces or colours can make a differance.

[Kathor]

If you look closely, you will see that those are the actual Swedish ones

[Ties]

It's probably not a coincident that Swärje borders both Norje and Suomi

[Snelwegfreak]

Hm... Too bad. I have to say this is a big disappointment to me

[TBR]

With a bridge to Tyssie it's complete

[Ortelius]

I like what I have seen so far Also, I do not really agree with with the idea that everything in your country should be as original as possible and can't look like anything that already exists. The main purpose of signage is guiding people to their destinations, not looking different from another country's signage. You can't force creativity, and sometimes better ideas emerge out of basing yourself on something that already exists, than out of forcing yourself to do something different.

Also, Snelwegfreak, could you please formulate why you are disappointed? Because a comment like that isn't really helping us any further.

[Snelwegfreak]

Yes, of course. I am a bit disappointed because it seems there's a lack of originality. It really looks like Sweden 2.0 but just in a differend shape. But that's just my opinion so do with it whatever you want

[riiga]

Well, I feel familiar with Sweden and it's something that I can relate to and use as a basis for my country. Later, if I go on to creating more countries I might decide to make it "more unique". Still, the design is far from the current Swedish standard.

[Snelwegfreak]

Of course and I respect that, but I just hope it will get a bit more original than this. That's all

[Koen]

Welcome to Atlantis. This is very special, a new country made by someone from outsite the Netherlands and Belgium. I think you made a good start. Some things are indeed Swedish-like, but it's still very original. And our countries are sometimes very Netherlands-like or Belgium-like.

Is Swärje a communist country? When I see the flag and the name (sovjet) it's likely to be communist.

[riiga]

Is Swärje a communist country? When I see the flag and the name (sovjet) it's likely to be communist.

It's a remnant from its day as a communist country. Nowadays it's a parliamentary republic, with the position of "Prime Soviet" being equal to that of a Prime Minister. Parts of it still live on, such as the people's closeness to power and the decision to keep the soviet part of the name, etc.

[riiga]

Roads and signage in Swärje (1955)

In 1952 a commission was started with the goal of creating a new road signage standard (for directions) to replace the various local designs that were in use, and accommodate the need of the growing transportation industry as well as private citizens who now could afford a car. The final design was based upon the signs that were common in the northern parts of the country, but the widespread sign for private roads was kept despite the colours matching that of warning and prohibitory signs (the red/yellow one reading "Loftbacken"). Road markings were kept, since they were standardised a few years earlier.

Road markings

Spoiler: weergeven

From left to right:

• Shoulder marking
• Center line (no passing)
• Center line (passing allowed)
• Center line (passing from side of broken line)
• Center line (oneway traffic, below 70 km/h)
• Center line (oneway traffic, 70 km/h and above)

Signs

Spoiler: weergeven

[riiga]

Roads and signage in Swärje (1968)

A major overhaul of road signs was started in early 1965. The main reasons for this was that the signs were a bit too small and also percieved as old-fashioned and hard to read during night time. A new font was developed and a dark blue background was selected for most directional signs. The basic layout was kept, but the arrows modified to stand out more.

Spoiler: weergeven

[Snelwegfreak]

The lay-out looks very familiar to me. What exactly have you changed in the signage to be your own creative design? For me, it still looks like Swedish to me

[Marcel]

You look very at de details. Some country's have the influence at some country's. So, if Swärje have the influence from Sweden, so what?

[Snelwegfreak]

Swedish influences are okay but this is a bit too much for me. Especially because everyone demands each other to be as creative as possible. That kind of bothers me

[riiga]

Well, the standard from 1955 is based on the German one, as you can tell from the colours and the typeface. The 1968 one is very influenced by the real life counterpart at the time, but it's no different than most of the designs here that mimic the Dutch one that I've seen quite a lot of. The resemblance of my signs to the Swedish ones also lies in the fact that my country shares part of its history with Sweden.

[Snelwegfreak]

Well there you go. That's a good explanation. You won't hear me anymore about this. Now I know it's not lazyness but it has a reason

[Kathor]

Since Nodania has been put in "Overwoekerd" There's room for a country South-West of Steinmarken. Maybe you can attach yourself?

[TzM23]

If you do, your country would be below Tholenia. That would be really nice. I hope you do so, so I have a more active neighbour and can develop some things.

[riiga]

I might be able to, I'll look into it in the coming days.