Baby time!

Just thought I’d share the news with everyone. My latest creation arrived today.

Her name is Edith Abigail.

She was born at 11:41 AM, Oct. 25th.

9 lbs. 12.3 oz. and 21.25" long. Yes, she’s huge.

Ten Point Scale: Banks

There are a lot of banks in New York City. I’ve already featured some here. And some from outside the city, too. But I figured it was about time I rounded up a larger pool of logos from NYC for a new installment of the Ten Point Scale.

This gallery is by no means comprehensive. First of all, these are only some of the banks found in relative abundance here in New York. Some may be recognizably national, but others are certainly not. Secondly, it’s not a top ten list. The Ten Point Scale is a spectrum of Pr*tty to Sh*tty. The idea is that the countless other bank identities of the world hopefully fit somewhere on this spectrum.

Also, a quick reminder that 10 is the Pr*ttiest and 1 is the Sh*ttiest. And check out the first, second, and third installments of the Ten Point Scale, in case you missed them.

10. Wachovia

Bound to be a controversial choice. But I think the type is strong and attractive, and the mark, while somewhat ambiguous, is intriguing and pretty.

9. Chase

I like that Chase is brave enough to own their name without tacking the word Bank onto it. And the octagonal mark is classic. The type is not my personal favorite, and feels sort of dated to me, but at least it’s quirky enough for them to own it.

8. HSBC

Another classic, geometric icon. I just wish the type was less run-of-the-mill.

7. Citibank

I’m not a huge fan of Interstate, and it always kind of bugged me that the end points of the red arc don’t line up exactly with the i’s, but it’s hard to deny the simple, ownable elegance of this identity.

6. Apple Bank

This is sort of a weird one. The first local bank in our line up, so I’m prepared to say the typewriter font is charming in its oddness. My big beef is with the apple. Much too boring and generic.

5. Bank of America

Much like the Citibank logo, here’s another one where the odd alignment (or lack thereof) of the stripes in the mark really rankles me. And while the type is fine it’s enough to put you to sleep as you wait in line for an ATM.

4. Emigrant Savings Bank

Another odd regional bank. Every location I’ve ever encountered looks like a prison, so I find it endearingly appropriate that the type matches that impression. At least they’re consistent in their image. It’s entirely the wrong image, but hey.

3. TD Bank

The TD mark is mind-numbingly banal, and it doesn’t help that it’s paired with some obscenely mismatched, bold type. I’d love to see the page in their brand guideline that explains how to add random, sh*tty green stripes to the logo for signage... inspiring!

2. Amalgamated Bank

The sketch book of any freshman design student has more inspired ideas chicken-scratched in the margins than this. On the bright side, if they ever sponsor a race car with the number 43, their logo might serve some purpose. An ugly purpose, sure, but that would be on-brand at least.

1. Capital One Bank

Do you think we could stop calling these swooshes and call them barfs instead? As in “The ugly, jumbled type is intersected by a giant red barf.” Nike gets a pass. Maybe.

Other stuff:

5.5. Sovereign Bank

Sort of boring, but handsome type. The name, coupled with the lantern is confusing, but oddly intriguing.

3.5. Valley National Bank

Redundant V much?

Bikers? Really?

Awhile back I called out this Miracle Whip commercial for the absurd notion that the secret to being a badass biker is a condiment.

Sadly, in recent weeks two more food brands have latched onto bikers as pitchmen.

Both of these are awful beyond belief. What’s even less believable is that this has somehow become a trend. Am I grossly underestimating the popularity of Sons of Anarchy or something?

Anyone seen any others?

The Gap Flap

I don’t usually weigh in on such issues, and I realize this dead horse has been beaten almost back to life and back to death again, but...

Pr*tty

Sh*tty

That is all.

The People's Design Award

Pr*tty Sh*tty has been nominated for the second year in a row for the Cooper Hewitt’s People’s Design Award. Needless to say, it’s an honor to be nominated, and I’d be even more stoked if everyone took a moment to go and vote for me. And while you’re there, spread the word via Twitter or whatever venue you prefer.

What I do here isn’t particularly glamorous. And, as of yet, it’s popularity has been limited. But I am thankful for a devoted readership who gets it, and gets something out of it. There’s little reward in championing dog food packaging, or vilifying it for that matter. Still, I remain devoted to the idea that everyone deserves better design, and I hope to maintain P*S* as the forum for that discussion.

If you like the sound of that, show some love and go vote. I humbly appreciate it.

Johnson & Johnson and Curad

Pr*tty

A serious upgrade for Johnson & Johnson (see an earlier design here). Communicates first aid, sterility, and the simplicity of the product... gauze ain’t complicated, people.

Sh*tty

First off, the Curad logotype is laden with ligatures it doesn’t need. You know I hate that.

Secondly, could they find a more muddled way to design this? You’ve got about eight type styles and sizes, numerous shapes and colors, a gradient, and a magnifying ring that doesn’t actually magnify. The bandages may be ouchless, but the box is ouchful.

A big thanks to Josh Leffingwell for the submission.

Want to submit stuff too? Go here to find out more.

185 and 261 Madison Avenue

Pr*tty

Exactly the sort of geomteric, art-deco-ish, Modern typeface I love. The bronze feels dated and the kerning is a bit off, but still classic and classy. And with those slightly bulbous terminals, charming too.

Sh*tty

Individually I sort of like these numerals. Each on its own is interesting and, like the pr*tty example, charming. But together in this sign they look wrong. Something about that top-heavy 2, next to that big-butted 6, next to that cold, hard slab of a 1. Combine that with a terrible choice in letterspacing, and an amateur sign installation that left the 6 sitting entirely above the baseline and you’ve got yourself a cartoonish, slack-jawed mess above your door.