Noah's Ark and The Velvet Touch

Pr*tty

An illustrative name, goofy typeface, quirky birds, and an effing adorable apostrophe. Call me crazy, but I love this.

Sh*tty

An unsettling name, boring typefaces, a f*cking laurel wreath (?), and no adorable punctuation whatsoever. If hating this is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. And also, I might need to take up drinking.

Crunch and Equinox

Pr*tty

The world of fitness club identities is a pretty sad one, at least here in NYC, but the Crunch logo is actually pretty great. And this sign/awning does a pretty good job of being “on brand”, what with its crunchified shape and all. If I were interested in physical fitness, I might actually go here.

Sh*tty

This is indicative of basically every other option in the city, and decidedly among the more heinous. The swoosh—as with all swooshes—is what really puts it over the edge. I’m pretty sure even I could take this logo in an arm wrestling match.

Wednesday Waffler: Island Transportation Corp.

I have trouble imagining how they arrived at this logo, but I can’t help sort of loving its brazen oddness. Seriously, that eye has nothing to do with the name, and yet there it is staring down tailgaters. On the other hand, who doesn’t love a rebus. But why stop with the eye? Where’s the cup of earl grey and map of the Adriatic?

What do you think, Pr*tty or Sh*tty?

NY Film Festival and Deborah Colker 4 x 4

Pr*tty

I’m not sure this typography says anything in particular about film, but it still looks great, and helps communicate a sophistication and credibility for the festival.

Sh*tty

You can call this typography edgy, or experimental, or some other ambiguous word that’s supposed to make the design feel intentional, but let’s call a spade a spade: that sh*t is ugly. (And the resounding acclaim of “It’s quite a show,” isn’t exactly convincing me the performance is any better than the poster.)

Magnolia Flowers and Edible Arrangements

Pr*tty

Not only are these graphics beautiful, they really make great use of the side of that van. It’s a very effective mobile billboard.

Sh*tty

Having once received one of these edible arrangements, I can say they’re not as bad as you might think (as long as you’re prepared to eat a lot of fruit!). This “logo”, however, makes me wish I hadn’t written that first sentence. I owe myself an apology.

Split Personality Week: The Tale of Peter Rabbit (board book)

Pr*tty

Not one of my personal faves, but a beloved classic. And I’ll be the first to admit that Beatrix Potter’s illustrations are decidedly lovely and charming. Best bumblebees ever.

Sh*tty

Now, keep in mind this isn’t the original book; it’s a board book version for the wee ones, so it’s edited and shuffled up a bit. That said, there’s still no excuse for inserting some bogus, badly done imitation of Potter’s work. Fine, include a drawing that isn’t in the original, but for blog’s sake, at least make it look remotely like it belongs with the rest.

A temporary delay

Sorry troops. No new post until tonight.

I’ll be in a Photoshop class all day. Exploring my creativity.

Split Personality Week: Geometric Stencil

Pr*tty

Geometric Stencil is a pretty silly typeface, but it’s hard to argue with its well-proportioned geometry. And in the right context, and the Rock of Ages posters are a good example, it can be pretty great.

Sh*tty

Unfortunately every cheap sign and awning maker in town seems to have it as one of their six available fonts, and it gets used in places it shouldn’t. Maybe I shouldn’t blame the font, but I still think this falls under the Split Personality criteria. Sort of like that episode of Seinfeld with the two-face.

Split Personality Week: Wednesday Waffler: Time Moving & Storage

Shoddy kerning aside, no one who’s spent any time on this blog should be surprised that I might like this. That simple, bold type is my sort of thing. As is the name, which I think sums up nicely what their true commodity is.

But after visiting their site, I’m so torn. This version of the identity is even better! It makes me second guess liking the version on the truck. And of course, given the simplicity of the design there’s no excuse for not implementing it consistently.

It’s a head scratcher, Pr*tty or Sh*tty?

Split Personality Week: Nerd Force

Pr*tty

The typography on the car is a little inconsistent, but I was mostly willing to overlook that given the understated but perfect simplicity of the logo, especially with the name set in Agency like that. I also love the idea of a fleet of these Nerd Force Smart cars... it’s so the right choice.

Sh*tty

After seeing the car, I was not expecting to find this. I’m pretty sure the logotype here is done with a squashed version of Arial. Then there’s the fleet of Scions, which is maybe not so bad, but who are these guys? They’re not nerds. I was promised nerds!

Split Personality Week: Guy & Gallard

This week is my first theme week (how exciting!). I’m calling it Split Personality Week, because I’ll be featuring businesses that have both good and bad designs in their arsenals. First up: Alleged purveyors of fine imported coffees.

Pr*tty

The coffee cup itself is a whatever sort of thing, but the Guy & Gallard logo is sweet and simple. It bespeaks exactly what it offers: quality, slightly premium, but not overly pretentious product.

Sh*tty

Their website, however, and their “Cafe” spin-off look stupid kinds of cheap. One has to wonder who’s steering the ship, ’cause it’s leaning hard to port and about to capsize. (Don’t ask me why I got all nautical in this post. I have no idea.)

Email Promos: Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic

Pr*tty

I wouldn’t wear any of these ties, but this email is smart, sophisticated, and well designed. These guys know their audience, and their product. No question.

Sh*tty

Here’s what you could call a dog’s breakfast. Let’s break it down: the BR logo, and the Piperlime logo; taupe, brown, black, and gray; pictures of some guy, then boots, birds, and a spyglass on a reflective surface, and a sneaker; serif type, sans-serif type, type in a frame, bold type, regular type, and different sizes of type. All on no apparent grid.

Both images submitted by P*S* reader and sharp dressed man Mark Onusko. Thanks.

Chile Pepper Fiesta and Turkish Days

Pr*tty

If the Chile Pepper Fiesta were a nail, this poster would be hitting it squarely on the head. Mr. Miyage style. (I can’t find a video to go with that reference, but I think you know what I’m talking about.)

Sh*tty

Do you think many people found themselves at the website of the Turkish Days Inn, after seeing this ad and wanting more info? This is so seriously bad that I could go on and on with the smartassery, but I’ll limit myself to one more comment: Kings.

Wednesday Waffler: Paramount Electronics sign

These dumb, cheap electronics stores around the city are always an eyesore, but I think this sign is actually kind of cool. In a cheap thrills kind of way.

Considering a graphic designer probably didn’t work on this, and it came right from a sign shop, the typography is pretty well done. The typeface is simple and unassuming, and the letterspacing is decent too.

And you can’t deny it’s a well made sign.

So what’s the verdict, Pr*tty or Sh*tty?

Control panels: JLG boom lift and Memphis airport gangway

Pr*tty

I’m pretty sure a childhood filled with countless games of Operation, Perfection, Hungry Hungry Hippo, and Electronic Battleship has given me all the skills I need to operate this boom lift.

Sh*tty

It’s hard to believe people have flown into space using control panels not much better designed than this. Do you think airport personnel have to perfect their skills in a gangway simulator first?

Francotyp Postalia FPi-2000 and Pitney Bowes DM400

Full disclosure: I don’t know much about mail sorting/processing machines. Today’s images are from a P*S* reader who assures me the usability of these two specimens is quite different. I can’t testify to that myself, but I can certainly respond to their aesthetics.

Pr*tty

An efficiency of form reminiscent of Dieter Rams work. Makes me wish I had huge stacks of mail to send.

Sh*tty

It’s easy to imagine something much worse than this, but ask yourself, would you want this on your desk if you could have the other one?

Thanks to Jacob Fleisher for sending these in.

Super Freaks: Visa and Mohegan Sun

Pr*tty

Funny song, funny dancing. It’s a simple formula. And how can you not love Morgan Freeman’s voiceovers?

Sh*tty

Do I really need to say anything more? Even if I had to, I couldn’t.

Parking ramps

Pr*tty

These cascading signs in ramps to underground parking probably don’t have the same impact during the day, but when they’re lit up like this... compelling and oddly beautiful.

Sh*tty

This is where the lame cars park. (Yes, I’m looking at you PT Cruiser.)

Reminder: People's Design Award

I never thought I’d be one of those bloggers that pleaded with their readers to vote for them in some contest or another. Which is why I quietly announced I had been nominated for the Cooper Hewitt’s People’s Design Award, and left it at that.

But something unexpected has happened. People have been voting for me!

Folks, this little blog is now 19th out of almost 150 nominated designs. Top 20. How cool is that?

So if you love an underdog, and if you’re so inclined, please vote for me now. 

Voting closes October 20.

Wednesday Waffler: Pay-O-Matic

I realize I’m going to probably catch a lot of flack for this one, but I just can’t help sort-of liking this Pay-O-Matic logo. It’s so delightfully odd, with that sad little face. It always reminded me of Pentagram’s Joyco logo (designed by John McConnell), which is also quirky, but still fun and gratifying:

Pay-O-Matic is less happy, of course. And decidedly, inappropriately weird. But I think that’s part of its charm. No?

I’ll leave it up to you guys. Pr*tty or Sh*tty?

(I suppose the debate is irrelevant, since they recently rebranded, but it’s safe to say the new identity is way boringer.)

Thanks to Pentagram for permission to use the Joyco image.

Zombieland and Whip It

Pr*tty

Could this be any more awesome? I think not. The title as signage device almost makes me wish there were such a place. (But not really, because zombies scare the p*ss out of me.)

Sh*tty

I want to like this, I do. But there’s one fatal flaw. If you’ve done something to your title that makes it so illegible that you have to repeat it directly below that, then you should maybe rethink that thing you did to the title.

Billy Elliot and Fall for Dance

Pr*tty

I’m a sucker for bold condensed type. What can I say?

Sh*tty

If the different type styles, colors, and sizes, all on no apparent grid weren’t bad enough, they have their dancer in a pose almost identical to Billy Elliot’s. It’s not like they haven’t seen those ads all over the city the past few years. And what’s with the vortex of giant, green contact lenses?

To be fair, both these poses remind of Stuart from Mad TV.

Don't litter

I don’t like litter bugs.

Pr*tty

Incorrect apostrophe aside, here’s how messages such as this should be handled. Unequivocal and to the point.

Sh*tty

This on the other hand is just dumb. Do we really need sad little couplets to help us correct our behavior? Spare us the rhyming mnemonics and eco-guilt, and just tell people in no uncertain terms to stop throwing their effing trash on the ground.

American Express faces and Visa aquarium

Pr*tty

Not exactly a new concept, but beautifully executed. And the writing of the voiceover pairs really well with the imagery. (I’m reminded of another ad, one of my favorites.)

Sh*tty

This ad has some lush visuals, and a sweet message, but whenever I see it I find myself asking, “What does Visa have to do with going to an aquarium on a Tuesday?” Am I just a cynical bastard?