Unisex bathroom in style

Despite the current high profile of transgender facilities, unisex bathrooms have always been a thing. Didn't  you grow up with one? I certainly did.
And in the late 60s, they were not uncommon in bars, particularly in liberal college towns.
As a graphic designer, I love this simple elegant design that clearly states the nature of this restroom. Two figures, six metal pieces - only slight positioning differentiates the two genders.
This cool door and some great craft beer can be found in the Vortex Alley Brewery, Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Heading down the Mississippi

I don't think that this handmade sign means 'No Parking.' Well, not in the usual sense. We found this toilet on an old family tugboat, now docked and no longer in use. The boat is open to the public at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. 

It should be obvious that the boat, including its living quarters are for display only. The sign indicates that there must have been some people who ignored the lack of privacy, and used this down to basics toilet, and needed to post this sign. 

Potosi, Wisconsin

Potosi, Wisconsin - ever heard of it? It's the home of the ABA National Brewery Museum. This was a totally unexpected stop on our way back to Kansas last summer.
The museum is an homage to the great breweries of Wisconsin - those names that all the boomers remember from their childhood - Miller, Pabst, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, Blatz and more. With more than six cases of craft beer crowded into the back of the vehicle before we reached home, how could we resist?
They have also revived the Potosi brewing tradition, and serve some pretty decent craft beers in their taproom.
Here are shots of the signs directing folks to their restrooms - customized for the clientele.

Pike Pub

Pike Pub in Seattle 

A speakeasy vibe, harking to the wild side of Seattle. 

The brewery is located in a high traffic tourist district that must attract a lot of non-patrons - not that there is any camera (I think) or an actual person checking breath or IDs to get into the facilities. I find it hard to believe that it attracts a lot of non-paying customers. The place was devilishly hard to find. Once inside, there is an dizzying array of travel and beer related graphics. 

Keeping your audience in mind

This restroom at the Science Museum in Minnesota was designed for both the minds and bodies of children.

The museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi, and a good bit of the museum focuses on the environment. Consequently, the mural across from the sinks depicts the path that water takes from the river and back to the river as we use it every day. I probably spend way too much checking out restrooms, and cool graphics like this one don't help matters.

The bottom image shows a stepstool for little ones to wash their hands. Much like the ones they might have at home. 

Just so you don't forget where you are.

You don't normally think too much about the color of stalls in a public restroom. Sometimes, I guess it just goes with the branding of the company - like McDonalds or Target, or a university. 

In this case, these fire engine red stalls can be found in a firefighters museum in the Twin Cities. 

Hurry this way!

Signs that communicate well should transcend time, cultures, ages. If they can make you smile in the process, so much the better.

This signage came from the Minnesota Children's Museum. They indicate the gender and direction without words, for little non-readers. The lettering on the figures themselves are rendered in very poor contrast, so I tweaked one image a bit so the words are a bit more clear. Across each shape are various words in several languages that indicate 'restroom,' including powder room, tinkletorium, w.c., potty, and washroom. 

I do not take exception to the larger male figure. It probably worked better for design purposes. Also one could argue that he is missing his pants.