Another souvenir from my 2009 trip to Japan and Tokyu Hands. I bought this one as a document (and a cool one with Japanese writing on it!) of what I believed would slowly disappear with the growth of digital cameras, smart phones, and social media.

Before 2009 it already felt clear that you want customers to take photos and share them and link back to you, rather than preventing the majority of regular people from remembering or sharing your work. I know the idea is that it prevents copying... but if someone wants to steal an idea and take a pic, they'll do so secretly.

You still see no photo signs though, more I think to prevent everyone not being present and enjoying whatever in real life, but there's clearly now a recognition that you get your social handles everywhere and ensure that people share and follow.

I wonder now if ever the camera icon will disappear from these signs and be replaced with the back of a smartphone, but likely not given the speed camera sign still features a bellows camera, despite those people that think it's supposed to be a modern CCTV camera of something.