Speaking of design competitions

Here’s an interesting take on the design competition deal – UK based Graphic Design Blog is holding a design blooper competition in which designers are invited to send in their cock-ups, screw-ups, typos and other general logo design goofiness. They’re also looking for works that don’t exactly portray what they’re supposed to (we’ve taken a look at mangled visual metaphors before – take a gander at our When Logos Go Bad synopsis for a few examples).

Not sure if we’ve got any bloopers to dedicate, but I do remember when I was an agency designer working on a massive employee incentive campaign for a national jewellers’ chain. We had been tasked to developed the branding, catalogs and in-store posters. Did some beautiful stuff too – especially the 36 x 24 posters on which images and artwork were Photoshopped to death with glows, drow shadows and other kick-ass effects (while not a big deal today, back in 1996 Photoshop had yet to develop layers, and due to limited RAM on Macs of the day, we only had one level of ‘un-do’ – any FX were a big deal).

When the posters were hot off the press, we pinned one up on the studio bulletin board, and began a round of “ooooh”s and “ahhhhh”s, amazed at ourselved over our ever-so-clever Photoshop prowess. Alas, we didn’t notice that the word Partnerships, an integral part of the logo itself (and emblazoned with all sorts of chromy, glowy Photoshop goodness) had somehow been sent off, missing the letter ‘H’. Big budget job too. The posters had been printed as 4 color process design, on premium glossy paper and finished off with matte and varnish imprints.

Not sure of the exact figures, but that was one expensive typo…

Update: Whoops – seems the deadline for entries to the Design Blooper Competition was May 21, so I’m a little behind on this one. Still, worthwhile keeping an eye on the link above when they showcase the winners and entries.

Related posts:

1. Speaking of new logos…