An example of design that I like is the Statue of Liberty , which sits just outside the borders of Manhattan. millions live, work, commute, and basically live their entire lives within miles of the structure, but very few give it a thought daily. Of course, I'm not saying I do, either, but it's rather unfortunate that this is the case, because the message the statue conveys is a vital one.
The statue itself was a gift from the French, and, as a statue made of bronze, was originally brown (which I imagine may have looked really nice). Oxidization brought it to its current green color, giving it its current iconic look.
More important than its color, shape, or even symbols (such as its unusual hat, its torch and its tome) is what it symbolizes to those who would give it most thought: those who don't wake up within a radius of a few miles of it.
Yes, this includes tourists, but most importantly includes immigrants. Every thing about the Statue of Liberty is handcrafted to convey America's (supposed) attitude of welcoming arms and smiles towards immigration, as the country was founded and built by immigrants. Its placement on an island of its own outside the city means that it would herald those arriving from the East with a message of hope, as warped as it may seem in practice at times. The poem written on it further reinforces these aims, as do the symbols and its name itself.
The Statue of Liberty is a shining beacon of promises and hopes, even though this message may be underappreciated and even shattered, depending on one's experiences.
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