These traffic safety cones manage to rise above their innate urban utility by virtue of some – dare we say ‘iconic’ – conic characteristics.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand is truly a work in progress: construction began in 1997 and is, at press time, ongoing with no end in sight. Nevertheless, tourists are welcome to visit the Buddhism-themed art exhibit designed and owned by eccentric Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat but park VERY carefully… or else! Flickr members jay joslin (moonbird) and Bill Vriesema (bvriesem) snapped some of the White Temple complex’s many spooky skull-headed traffic cones in May of 2012 and July of 2015, respectively.

Black Is The New Orange

When it comes to those most solemn of occasions, a garish day-glo orange traffic cone simply will not do. In keeping with the primary function of safety cones, however, the example above sports a bone-white (sorry) central section with contrasting black lettering and a cross. Presumably “funeral cones” displaying Greek Orthodox crosses, Stars of David, the Islamic Star & Crescent and the Flying Spaghetti Monster lie await in storage. Flickr member Andreas-photography captured this rather funereal funeral cone from Essex, UK, in October of 2008.

A Cone With a Peel

Expect something magical when visiting the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA… or at least, expect unexpectedly cute safety cones. This cleverly designed cone evokes the old trope of careless cartoon characters slipping on banana peels – does that ever even happen in real life? Flickr member junaidrao captured this banana peel cone poolside in May of 2017.

Here’s another a-peel-ing safety cone, saved for photographic posterity in front of the Jamba Juice kiosk at Downtown Disney District. Flickr member Sam Howzit was impressed by its presence in December of 2015. We hope Sam didn’t spill his juice (or himself) while trying to get the perfect shot.

Conic Image Search

TIL Google has their own traffic cones… and they’re WAY cheesier than anyone could imagine! OK, points for representing the primary colors of the omnipresent search engine’s logo (well, kinda) but geez, guys, with all your moolah is this really the best you could do? Flickr member Simon Law (sfllaw) couldn’t resist recording this group of Google chromes, er, cones in Mountain View South, CA, back in November of 2006.

Gold @ Gray’s

So the “How to Enjoy Traffic Cones” reception was a thing, who knew? Someone knew enough to customize some traffic cones, mind you, because boring old orange plastic cones would look so out of place at a swanky “reception” featuring traffic cones, amiright? Flickr member chashama Inc. photo-documented the October 2nd, 2009 collaborative exhibition held near the former midtown NYC location of Gray’s Papaya at Eighth Avenue and 37th Street.

“Invariably unique, eye-catching and unpredictable, traffic cones are almost art. Like sculpture, their primary function is to be looked at.” So stated Erik Sanner, event organizer and King Kone. Can we call him that, cuz that would be awesome, just like these golden safety cones. Flickr member Nick Normal caught one of the blinged-up beauties with the sadly-departed Gray’s Papaya in the background. Thanks Nick, now we’re hangry!

Beltway Lament

Indeed, no one should be judged by the color of their, uh, anything but this cone from The Nation’s Capitol proclaims its protest publicly… and pointedly. Flickr member Daniel Lobo (Daquella manera) caught this cone standing up for non-human rights way back in 2009… years before folks started hating on orange.

Corny Cones

How sweet it is… both Candy Corn and this group of traffic cones apparently tinted to match the much-reviled perennial Halloween “treat”. Flickr member Bill Couch came across this curious crop of Candy Corn traffic cones in October of 2009 while seeing the sights of Washington D.C. In related news, Candy Corn traffic cones are a sight worth seeing in Washington D.C.

Flickr member thisisbossi snapped a Candy Corn cone in Washington D.C.’s historic district of Kalorama Triangle, and on October 31st yet! The close-up shot doesn’t indicate whether this was a solitary example or part of a larger group of cones. Either way, you wouldn’t want to lick it – tooth decay would be the least of your problems.

Dick or Jerry?

Obviously, the trio of bright orange safety cones above was meant to be deployed near dangerous levees in Holland… according to my wife, Morgan Fairchild. Yeah, that’s the traffic ticket! Seriously though, where would one actually use cones bearing such an “interesting” legend? A local Pride Parade, perhaps? Flickr member Capes Treasures‘ link to a presumed proprietary website comes up 404 so we’ll have to settle on the ol’ leaky Dutch seawall explanation. Mind yer fingers!

Ground Floor

“The Wet Floor Sign That Wanted To Be a Traffic Cone” would make a great children’s book, according to Flickr member J.G. Park. Since turnabout is fair play, somewhere there’s an orange traffic cone plopped in the middle of an accidental puddle at some supermarket. The wannabe cone was snapped in 2016 while prompting double-takes from folks in Columbia, Missouri.

I Coneface

Whomever drew the scowling visage on the orange traffic cone above needs to be in an artist’s studio, not outside directing traffic or working on some anonymous construction project. Flickr member Rob Swystun zoomed in for an up close & personal view in May of 2012 while prowling the gritty city streets of Winnipeg, Canada… and you can bet he’s not sorry.

All around the world, people are inundated daily with advertisements hawking everything from soda to furniture to vacations. We’re so used to seeing the ads and logos almost everywhere that we can identify the logos without even seeing them in context. That is the message that artist Dorothy sends with her series “You Took My Name.”

In the series, the artist removes the company names from well-known logos. It challenges viewers to recognize and identify the brands even when the company names are missing.

Another goal of the series is to change our perspective on logo art. These symbols are the result of hours of work and research, and they can be seen as works of art in their own right.

I’m livin’ it! McDonald’s might be the quintessential symbol of “fast food nation”, serving millions of burgers daily in over 100 countries worldwide. Though Mickey D’s brand identity is relentlessly homogeneous, a surprising number of its restaurants are anything but. These 10 sizzlingly odd McDonald’s restaurants show that when it comes to architectural innovation, there’s life in the old grill yet!

The Biggest Mac

(images via: RoadsideArchitecture.com and Edge and Corner Wear)

If the “World’s Largest” McDonald’s in Vinita, Oklahoma, doesn’t fit the burger giant’s corporate mold, blame it on (or credit it to) the fact that it wasn’t always a McDonald’s location. The building dates from 1957 when it opened as the Glass House restaurant: After & Before images are above.

(images via: Oliveres_Jordi/Panoramio and DieselDucy/Panoramio)

The Vinita McDonald’s doesn’t just overlook the Will Rogers Turnpike (I-44), it bridges it. Customers can enter the building from either side of the highway but be sure to remember which door you came in on.

(images via: Roadside America and Wikipedia)

Once inside, don’t expect to find a stadium-sized seating area and a mile-long service counter – actually a relatively small portion of the building’s interior is devoted to buying, selling & scarfing down burgers & fries.

Roswell That Ends Well

(images via: SFGamchick, Rob Sheridan and Larrywelz)

Did a flying saucer really crash land near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947… or did Ronald McDonald get there first? It’s a McChicken & Egg McMuffin type thing but however way you slice the buns, the UFO-shaped McDonald’s in downtown Roswell is simply out of this world!

(images via: Waymarking/Ganurse, L.O.W.F.I and Igleberman)

You can’t accuse Roswell’s unique McDonald’s of understating the town’s association with UFOs & space aliens, and the theme is done up to the max both inside and out – the latter via an incredible full-color mural that wraps around a good portion of the restaurant. Now if they only served Tang…

(images via: Ron & Kelly and Art Limited)

One wonders what Roswell (and its McDonald’s) would look like today had the curious and mysterious “Roswell Incident” never happened. On the other hand, should little green men actually visit today’s UFO-licious Roswell, what would they think of it? If they were planning an invasion, they’d probably assume they already won!

McDonald’s Douglas?

(images via: J. Stephen Conn and RoadsideArchitecture.com)

This particular McDonald’s is located just of Hwy 412 in Springdale, Arkansas, and features an aviation theme that runs from the “Air Macs – A Tribute to Aviation” lettering on the front doors to the twin-engined Piper Seneca frozen in mid-dive-bomb just above the roof.

(image via: RoadsideArchitecture.com)

Not only is the piping-hot Piper painted up in official McD’s livery, it’s got Ronald perched on the tail barnstormer-style while the Hamburglar plays pilot… at least, it did. On on May 29, 2008, and after nearly a decade frozen in place above countless McDiners, the airplane was removed due to “liability issues” and the pending remodeling of the restaurant.

(images via: Virtual Globetrotting and Dark Roasted Blend)

Though the Springdale McPlane has gone to meet its maker, on the opposite side of the world another former flyer now nestles its nose to the french fries fryer. Taupo, New Zealand holds the distinction of having a decommissioned DC3 grace their McDonald’s restaurant. Insert “airline food” joke here.

Turquoise Delight

(images via: MyLot, Like the Grand Canyon, Angel_Blue, Watchmaker and Roadside America)

A McDonald’s location with green arches… no, not in Ireland! Siddown in Sedona (Arizona) for some dessert in the desert, however, and you’ll be enjoying fast food in a McDonald’s with the “world’s only Teal Green arches.”

(images via: The Adventures of Shiloh’s Traveler and Country Wings in Phoenix)

Green arches are just the start, however – teal accents highlight other signage and the building itself aspires towards an idealized dream of southwest esthetic design. No word if the Sedona McDonald’s only serves Shamrock Shakes.

(image via: Slag’s House of Stats)

Sedona is a New Age lifestyle mecca and city authorities have striven to preserve the town’s naturalistic character. When McDonald’s applied to situate a restaurant in town, they met with significant resistance centered on their trademark Golden Arches – it seems they would clash with Sedonians’ visual sensibilities. McDonald’s was asked to select a different color for the arches and the company’s first submission, turquoise, was accepted.

No Quarter Pounder

(images via: McChronicles and Imprint Talk)

With a nod to Dread Zeppelin for the title (“thank you, thank you very much”), “Quarter Pounder” was McDonald’s no-brand experiment tested on intrepid Tokyoites in 2008.

(images via: The Afterlife Epitaph and Japan Trends)

Not a golden arch in sight, teal or otherwise, and the only clowns around are the customers (heh!). Don’t think of ordering a Happy Meal at Quarter Pounder either – the only two menu offerings are a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Set (for 500 yen or about $6.40) or a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese Set (600 yen, around $7.70).

(images via: FuguTabetai.com and Girvin)

Quarter Pounder stores sought to exude a higher level of style and attract a more sophisticated clientele, and the stores’ “adult” decor and design illustrated McDonald’s efforts in those convergent directions. Both Tokyo locations of Quarter Pounder quickly sported block-long line-ups to get in… which would be impressive anywhere BUT Tokyo, where it’s standard practice.

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Mcarchitecture 10 Sizzlingly Odd Mcdonalds Restaurants

While the majority of consumers are content to purchase the newest brand of name brand shoes, in the same color and style they always get, this doesn’t hold true for everyone. In our daily lives we only come across the occasional individual who truly works at expressing their personality via their shoes. Here are 13 groups of the wildest shoes you wouldn’t even see on the most outrageous free spirit:

(Images via fashionvictim101, popgloss, twolia, hellishhumor)

Fur coats are common, but fur shoes, not so much. In the Native American tradition of using every part of an animal, some creative shoe designers have taken this philosophy to the next level… creating shoes that appear animalistic to an extreme.

(Images via splendidcity, thefashionpolice, fashionvictim101, funalso)

Designers are always pushing the boundaries between form and function, in the hope of inspiring new lines that can be sold to a wider audience. Some designers add new features, while other try to go so minimalist that they remove entire sections of a shoe to reveal what’s beneath.

(Images via babydoll, declubz, myamazingfact, gemersiksufi, anshul, ebaumsworld)

Almost all shoes are designed in the same boring fashion, but there are definitely exceptions. Whether a designer utilizes a smoother, waving form, or manipulates the shape into something that hardly resembles a shoe, they all let their creativity go wild.

(Images via messandnoise, oddee, coutureavenue)

There aren’t any rules when it comes to design, and some creative innovators try to redefine what we consider set in stone. Some of the results are too radical for most people’s taste, but the occasional design will strike a chord with a larger audience (or a wealthy customer), and become a true success.

(Images via hem, specialfootwear, designswan, 2dayblog)

When you’re dressing up in costume, it’s important not to forget your feet. You can go for the realistic, disgusting look, or put on a pair of rats that look way too real. Either way, you’ll leave a trail of groaning friends in your wake.

(Images via aioviga, misslalaland, timetranscript, highheelshoemuseum)

High heels give a graceful, elegant look, and the height of a model. Just like anything, though, extremes can be ridiculous. Incredibly tall high heels can add an artistic flair to a model walking down the runway, but there is an element of very real danger. A lot of women have twisted their ankles, and taken bad spills.

(Images via interestingfacts, toxel)

Some shoes are made out of alternative materials in order to be more environmentally friendly, or add an interesting twist to a typically mundane clothing item, but this isn’t always the case. Necessity breeds invention, and sadly, this means that some of the poorest people are forced to make shoes out of any materials they can get their hands on.

(Images via sarahselectronicblogride, meganginter, geekscape, sikendi)

Not all mainstream shoe makers are boring. Shoe makers will make special edition shoes that appeal to a niche group of consumers, and advertise the brand as something unique. Form fitting shoes are meant to give better feedback to one’s feet, while still protecting them from the elements, but they look as out of this world as a pair of a dinosaur sneakers, or as ridiculous as a tennis ball shoe.

(Images via designswan, popgloss)

While it may not be incredibly functional, shoes can be a fantastic medium for artistic endeavors. There’s something inherently interesting about a common, and typically boring, element from our everyday lives being turned into something creative and unique.

(Images via freshvintage, fashionandnonsense, stylefeeder, nypost, effamadha)

Quirky and outlandish shoes are a great way to stand out in a crowd and express an artistic spirit. You can search high and low for rare and exotic designs, or add to an already existing model and make it your own. The true DIY fanatic will find a way to make anything unique.

(Images via declubz, funnypictures, impactlab, blacklognz)

Like a novelty clown nose, or gigantic foam hands and hats created for sporting events or special occasions, there’s a seemingly endless variety of shoes meant to cause a laugh. The stereotypical clown shoe is just the beginning, as almost any item can be turned into a semblance of a shoe, though it might not be the most comfortable thing to wear.

(Images via designswan, showmeyourshoes, gizmodiva, thefashionpolice)

Most people who have worn high heels will attest that they’re not the most comfortable clothing item in the world, but some designers express this in an industrial, and blatant way, by adding heavy, painful looking spikes and metals, and turning an elegant item into something intimidating.

(Images via cemilanmata, fun-maniac, myspace, twolia, untitiledarchive, weirdositylives)

Some of the more oddball shoe designs are hard to categorize… they could have a humorous intent, or be avante gard, or are simply hideous and indecipherable. The importance of shoes that push the limits can’t be stressed enough, as they are the driving force behind innovation and change in an industry that has always tended to remain uncontroversial.