Live in Wayfarer 3.1 is a new set of acceptance criteria! Please browse the information in this category with caution as it is in reference to the previous review guidelines. To learn more about the new criteria, see here: https://niantic.helpshift.com/a/wayfarer/
Welcome signs
Gazzas89-PGO
Posts: 2,529 ✭✭✭✭✭
Why exactly aremt welcome signs allowed? What is the logic behind it? I can sort of see why a bog standard sign for a big city like New York or london woukdnt be allowed, but honestly, most villages, even larger towns, these signs are not mass produced, they arent big standard, they usually are points if interest, they stand out, they are usually specifically made for that area, they all look good and gor some smaller villages will be one of the only intersting things in the area. I really cant understand why all bar historical or massively artistic ones are allowed
Answers
Welcome signs are allowed if they are visually unique, but the standard UK white background black writing, or blue background white writing are just mass produced signs.
The difference is this
To
One is just a standard sign template with the name changed, the other is visually unique and usually the design is a one off representing the local village / town
Does the twinning program make a difference? I'm always inclined to accept well written submissions of signs that mention the twinned towns because I believe that is educational and has some cultural value. But when I submitted one myself it was rejected and they seem contentious.
They aren't eligible because they do not meet any of the acceptance criteria. I don't buy the "artistic" argument because I don't find them to be works of art, much else meet the higher standard of "cool pieces of art or unique architecture". They are not designed by a renowned architect or famous specifically for its architecture/design. They are not venues that showcases fine art, have educational value, or tell a cool story and rarely have historical significance. They are not places you would take a friend visiting your community, places were locals gather to socialize or attend public events, showcases local flavor or culture, or adventurous tourist attractions. And finally, they are not public libraries, public parks, or places of worship. And covers all the eligibility criteria.
The only arguments generally given to accept them are "Other welcome signs were (mistakenly) accepted," and the other boils down to "There's not enough Pokestops!" Neither of these are grounds to accept any nomination. Just because some signs were mistakenly accepted doesn't set a precedent that we must continue that mistake with other nominations. And if it was only about density of Pokestops/Wayspots, then Niantic would not have tied Wayspots to real world objects but instead would have used an algorithm to evenly distribute Wayspots with little consideration to real world locations.
I still think the town twinning program links to educational and cultural value. Some are more artistic than others so that is a consideration (most aren't super interesting though).
The way I rate for educational value is I imagine a parent and child playing together, and they interact with the waypoint. Could the parent have an interesting and educational conversation based on the waypoint and description? If so, then it could potentially be acceptable, but tends to be dependent on the quality of the writeup - how well do they sell it to me?
Usually a town welcome sign would get quite a poor rating from me. 1 or 2 stars, but I'll accept a really good one if I'm given a reason to.
Lots of good feedback here already, but one thing I noticed about a lot of them is that many lack good pedestrian access as well. (Not all of them though).
There us so much more eligible criteria than what you listed. And welcome signs (that arent the generic road sign versions) are usually commissioned ones or donated/paid for ones. Also, lots of places their welcome sign will be the only point if interest in the place, I've driven through multiple villages that only had a sign, nothing else to be a waypoint, not eve a post office, post box, play park, nothing, so it's not a case of "need moar" it's that is the only point of interest there
Also, your argument about not looking atistic is not valid, looking artistic and have artistic merit are 2 completely separate things, one is opinion based which is what you are using and is irrelevant to actual reviewing
I agree, the first one you posted is pretty much a generic road sign, but I've seen several that, while not as good as your second example, it's still unique, so that kind should be accepted. My point was there not really any reasin to reject the non road sign ones
This would be ab example of a non road sign one that imo should pass, its unique, is an interesting point in the area, it catches the eye as it goes by and it was donated by the housing for the area
This is an e ample of a welcome sign thay I think should be eligible as it's not a standard road sign, it sticks out, its unique looking
No idea why it now posted twice lol
The vast majority of welcome signs are usually the generic mass produced ones. The artistic ones are eligible because they're usually unique to their specific area.
As examples:
This Bridlington welcome sign got accepted because of its artistic value as well as the fact that the imagery links to Bridlington, such as St John Thwing who was a Prior at the Priory Church, and the lobster as Brid is the lobster capital of Europe.
This Boynton sign was approved because the turkey is historically relevant to Boynton because of the Strickland family who were barons of the Manor of Boynton, the same Stricklands that descended from the William Strickland that had introduced turkeys to England.
If the signs were just generic looking road signs, they wouldn't have been eligible, and even some of the more artistic welcome signs might not be eligible due to a lack of safe pedestrian access.