# Repurposed Retail Signs The Buchstabenmuseum Storefront Letters are Retro-Fabulous By Jennifer Gosnell | Published 2012-05-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buchstabenmuseum-storefront-letters References: [buchstabenmuseum.de](http://www.buchstabenmuseum.de/buchstaben/buchstaben/sammlung.php) & [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/culture/zierfische-obsolete-signs-are-being-saved-dump-buchstabenmuseum-berlin.html) The Buchstabenmuseum Storefront Letters display takes previously used typography from [shop signs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peace-love-joy) and puts them back in the spotlight. The outdated, retro and often oversized letters have been given new life in the museum that in English means 'Museum of Letters.' Located in Berlin, the museum run by Anja Schulze and Barbara Dechant makes what is old new and cool again. The curators keep the letters in their original form, and don't mess with designs or try to polish them up. While the museum has now collected over 700 letters, they are oddly enough missing a “ü” and a “ß." The historical-minded [retro display](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nikos-koulis) is a lovely homage to the craftsmanship that went into these fascinating letters. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Repurposed Typography:** Opportunity to explore the upcycling of old typography as a design trend. - **Vintage Signage Revival:** Opportunity for companies to rediscover the retro-chic appeal of outdated storefront letters and use them in branding and art installations. - **Heritage Preservation:** Opportunity for museums and conservationists to preserve the unique craft and history of typography and sign-making as an integral part of design and cultural heritage. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Design & Advertising:** Repurposed typography trend presents an opportunity for designers and advertisers to incorporate vintage signage into their creative work and campaigns. - **Museums & Galleries:** Heritage preservation trend presents opportunities for museums and galleries to showcase the cultural history and design value of typography and sign-making. - **Retail & Hospitality:** Vintage signage revival trend presents opportunities for businesses in the retail and hospitality industry to use retro-chic letters as part of their branding, decor and customer experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nomadic Berlin Design Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-room-i-walk-the-line.md) - [Restored Retail Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moma-design-store-soho.md) - [Vibrant Museum Foyer Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-foyer.md) - [Typography-Inspired Lifestyle Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-industries.md) - [Demountable Wooden Retail Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/present-correct1.md) - [Adaptive Furniture Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usm-haller-reframed.md) - [Color-Blocked Contemporary Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mkg.md) - [Boutique Grocery Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-clothing-boutique.md) - [Bright Showroom Research Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vowels.md)