Announcement
I design Custom Wall Art, Subway Signs, Posters, Prints, and Personalized Gifts. Fun things like: Custom Pet Portraits, Custom Subway Art, Hand-painted Farmhouse Signs, Vintage Posters and Prints, Social Justice Posters, Travel Posters, Fine Art Watercolor Prints, Canvas Photo Art, and Michigan Art; all handmade here in the United States.
Order a piece of Word Art, Farmhouse Style Decor, or Industrial Decor for your home, apartment, dorm room, studio or office. Personalized home decor, wood signs, and canvas wall art make delightful gifts.
My travel art prints, Art Deco posters, and wall signs are made-to-order. Each expertly designed and made in the United States on natural wood, durable artist’s canvas or archival paper.
If you don’t see the design or color you want, please ask, I'm happy to help.
I can customize many of my designs just for you.
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Visit my other shop: Smirkantile
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Smirkantile
Featuring Funny Greeting Cards, Mugs and slightly irreverent gifts.
Also Shop:
www.TransitDesignShop.com
Transit Design has been featured in:
HGTV Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Houzz, Prairie Style, The Washingtonian, Holiday Matinee, Better Living Through Design, and Traverse Magazine.
Announcement
I design Custom Wall Art, Subway Signs, Posters, Prints, and Personalized Gifts. Fun things like: Custom Pet Portraits, Custom Subway Art, Hand-painted Farmhouse Signs, Vintage Posters and Prints, Social Justice Posters, Travel Posters, Fine Art Watercolor Prints, Canvas Photo Art, and Michigan Art; all handmade here in the United States.
Order a piece of Word Art, Farmhouse Style Decor, or Industrial Decor for your home, apartment, dorm room, studio or office. Personalized home decor, wood signs, and canvas wall art make delightful gifts.
My travel art prints, Art Deco posters, and wall signs are made-to-order. Each expertly designed and made in the United States on natural wood, durable artist’s canvas or archival paper.
If you don’t see the design or color you want, please ask, I'm happy to help.
I can customize many of my designs just for you.
*******************************
Visit my other shop: Smirkantile
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Smirkantile
Featuring Funny Greeting Cards, Mugs and slightly irreverent gifts.
Also Shop:
www.TransitDesignShop.com
Transit Design has been featured in:
HGTV Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Houzz, Prairie Style, The Washingtonian, Holiday Matinee, Better Living Through Design, and Traverse Magazine.
Items
Featured items
All Items
Reviews
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Lauren on Aug 18, 2022
5 out of 5 starsGreat poster - my husband is hanging it in his classroom! Thanks
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Alyssa on Aug 12, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThis print came quickly and looks great. I love the coloring and font. Thanks for producing work that points to love and justice.
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Matthew J Nevin on Aug 6, 2022
5 out of 5 starsI am very happy with receiving the item! I ordered two posters from you that I will put in my classroom in my first teaching job! The quality of the items were perfect; however, one had a small crease in it, but I'm sure that's from delivery and not from you. It still looks perfect, and I'm excited to hang it up in my classroom!
Michael Jon responded on Aug 10, 2022
I'm sorry to hear that there was a crease on one of your prints. If you let me know which one (send me a message via Etsy), I can have a new one sent if you like. Congrats on your first teaching job, and it makes me smile that these inspiration words will read by your students.
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Matthew J Nevin on Aug 6, 2022
5 out of 5 starsI am very happy with receiving the item! I ordered two posters from you that I will put in my classroom in my first teaching job! The quality of the items were perfect; however, one had a small crease in it, but I'm sure that's from delivery and not from you. It still looks perfect, and I'm excited to hang it up in my classroom!
Michael Jon responded on Aug 10, 2022
I'm sorry to hear that there was a crease on one of your prints. If you let me know which one (send me a message via Etsy), I can have a new one sent if you like. Congrats on your first teaching job, and it makes me smile that these inspiration words will read by your students.
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Lori on Jul 19, 2022
5 out of 5 starsSharp colors and speedy delivery.
Michael Jon responded on Aug 10, 2022
Thanks for your order - this is one of my favorite designs!
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justinschiavone on Jun 20, 2022
5 out of 5 starsIt’s perfect I’m so excited to put this up in my office!
Michael Jon responded on Jun 23, 2022
So glad you like it! Thanks for your business. -Michael
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Sylvian on Mar 10, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThe Inspirational Quote by Desmond Tutu is wonderful and exactly as pictured. The Seller shipped super quick and wouldn't hesitate any future purchase-thanks so much!
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christina on Aug 15, 2022
5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely perfect! I will be ordering a 2nd canvas soon!
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Steven on Aug 11, 2022
5 out of 5 starsThis is a beautiful piece. Perfectly sized for the space I wanted.
Updates


About TransitDesign
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The original Transit design studio in Traverse City, Michigan.
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Canvas Bus Scrolls are printed with archival ink and available stretched or rolled.
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Wood Subway Signs by Transit Design are easy to hang and printed on natural birchwood.
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The birthplace of Transit Design.
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Transit Design creates custom artwork on canvas or wood.
Transit Design was Born in Bed.
I created Transit Design one snowy morning in 2009 while living in Northern Michigan. I was searching for an unusual piece of artwork for my home, and discovered that collectors were buying vintage subway art (also known as bus scrolls, subway signs, tram rolls, roll signs or transit signs) to frame and display.
As a graphic designer, I have long loved the beauty of typography. These vintage signs – with their unusual destinations and bold lettering on black canvas – appealed to me. I soon found that original bus scrolls were expensive and difficult to find so I decided to make my own. (Creating my own custom subway art with personalized destinations was more fun anyway!)
It occurred to me that if I wanted my own personalized bus scroll, that others would too, and Transit Design was born. Since that time, I have introduced more artwork – including travel posters, inspirational quotes and city art.
On a typical day, you’ll find me working on freelance design in my studio, making custom bus scrolls and signs, or dreaming up new ideas. Design is my passion and I think everyone deserves to be inspired by the things they have around them!
My Portfolio: www.TransitDesign.com
My Shop: www.TransitDesignShop.com
Shop members
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Michael Jon Watt
Owner, Designer
Design is my passion and I think everyone deserves to be inspired by the things they have around them!
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Berkeley
Feline Relations
At any given time Berkeley can be found napping in the sun.
Production partners
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a Professional Print Shop
United States
My artwork is professionally printed by a small U.S. print shop. We use archival paper and canvas. Canvas pieces are stretched by hand on wooden stretcher bars, UV sealed, and come complete with hanging hardware. My designs are not mass-produced and each one is made to order for you.
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Local Sign Shop
Traverse City, MI
My wood designs are hand-painted with the help of a local artisan.
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a Wood Print Shop
United States
My wood signs are printed by a small professional print shop here in the United States, carefully selected for their quality and attention to detail. We use solid birch board with UV safe inks. Each piece is made to order and comes ready to hang.
Shop policies
Shipping
Customs and import taxes
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
I gladly accept returns
I don't accept exchanges or cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Items on sale
I accept returns I do not accept returns
I accept exchanges I do not accept exchanges
I accept cancellations I do not accept cancellations
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Privacy policy
More information
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a mock-up of custom piece?
I always send a proof of your custom artwork once you have placed your order. I do not create mock-ups prior to receiving your order, as my design time is factored into the price.
Can I order a different color or font?
I'm happy to help if you're looking for different color or font options – just let me know. I can create most any color combination you desire, and I can provide you with a link to color swatches if needed.
Can I order a different size or custom piece?
Let me know if you need a specific size or customization. I have done all sorts of custom sizes for my customers. Please contact me for pricing.
Can I choose another font or typeface?
I have several typestyles or fonts that I have chosen to reflect the look and feel of vintage subway art and signs. I would be happy to work with you to create a piece that you love.
What's the difference between rolled and stretched canvas?
My canvases are available Rolled or Stretched.
Most customers choose a ready-to-hang Stretched canvas. This canvas has gallery wrapped edges stretched over a wood frame. (The canvas sides are the same color as the front.) Hanging hardware comes already attached.
Sometimes the Rolled canvas option is more suitable. Rolled canvas is trimmed to size and suitable for custom framing under glass or hung with a poster hanger.
Where do I send my photo for a Pet or Family Portrait?
Please send your high-resolution photo to: info@transitdesign.com or via the Etsy message system. Photos from your smartphone or digital camera are perfect. Photos that are pulled from social media, like Facebook, do not work because they are too low of a resolution for my process.