We’ve all seen our own interpretation of the “walking man”, or “walking person” at traffic lights, while crossing the street.
The illuminated person flashes to tell you it’s your time to cross the street, of course. But have you thought about how those figures differ around the world?
Artist Maya Barkai has, and has assembled them into a fascinating and charming series entitled Walking Men Worldwide.
From Warsaw to Singapore to Cape Town to Andorra and Sydney, we love the unique characteristics of the figures, which range from abstracted to delightfully distinct, like Tokyo’s fedora-wearing man.
Check out more of the collection below. Do you have a favorite?
For fellow sign spotters
Two small things for anyone who now checks the crossing signal in every city they visit.
Human, White Jean Jacket Pin
Aaron Draplin's pictogram person in green hard enamel, drawn in the same plain visual language as the signals above. Picked up by hand from his Portland studio.
$9
Accidentally Wes Anderson Postcards
Twenty-six real places around the world that look art directed, from Wally Koval's Accidentally Wes Anderson project. The same pleasure as this series, sized for a mailbox.
$13.50 
Posters are available on Maya Barkai’s website.
8 Comments
Very true, underrepresented!
We agree!
Sweet, thanks for sharing!
We agree! Figured these would feature prominently in the poster design.
These ‘walking men’ are very cool, but I am somewhat surprised that the iconic Berlin Ampelmann wasn’t included.
Wellington, New Zealand has some very unique crosswalk signal “personnel” . They feature famous local figures and cultural icons. Very cool. I tried snapping photos, but failed bc my group moved too fast.
The famous German Ampelmännchen from East-Berlin is missing 🙁
I see only one woman!