Good design for the people
For the most part, candidates need help with their campaign logos.
Hillary:Classic typeface, tastefully used, red, white and blue–no surprises there. That sweet little flag screams craft store, though. No last name used, Hmm.
Obama:Simple, elegant, concise. With an unusual name like Obama, an O is a perfect choice. The flag ground mimics Middle America and a road towards a brighter day. The top of the O resembles a rainbow or bridge with a dawning sun in the center. Type choice is elegant and not as clunky as Hillary’s. He’s got some Web 2.0 action going on, but the O works. Plus it looks like a patriotic donut.
McCain:John, John, John…You’re not running for sheriff of Hazzard County.
Romney:The mark is elegant but predictable. Haven’t we seen that whole eagle flag thing before? It’s kind of sharp at the end. That scares me. Batman could use it as a grappling hook, though.
Friends—Let’stalk about the issues, put aside our differences and focus on change. Most candidates need better design. They’re missing an opportunity to distinguish themselves. Barack Obama is declared the winner in this race. His mark shows hope, change, freshness, imagination and clarity. Note: The declaration of winner is based on early polling from an audience of one.
What do you think?
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This is a great NYTimes article that analyzes the Clinton and Obama websites. It echoes your comments about Obama’s modern logo and Clinton’s safe, predictable logo. Thought you would enjoy the metaphor, too.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/technology/04link.html?em&ex=1203570000&en=949268a629d8a239&ei=5087%0A
Waaaaahaaa! I had to read that twice to fully appreciate it, Katie!
I think Rosco P. Coltrane could take McCain.
During the last Presidential election I remember reading an article that rated the Bush/Cheney sticker as better design than the Kerry/Edwards sticker. At the time, I had a hard time believing Kerry/Edwards could lose to Bush/Cheney in any contest. I learned my lesson a few months later.
The Boston Globe did a similar story a few weeks ago focusing specifically on the typography of each candidates moniker.
link: http://tinyurl.com/2cwz7c
Another interesting comparison is the candidates' websites which can be found at the Deaf Musician and IMHO it looks like they all bought the same $65 template from Template Monster.
link: http://tinyurl.com/yp7nd6
I agree with you that they could all use some help. I also agree that Obama's mark is the most modern of the bunch. I do wonder, though, how much wiggle room there is for leaving the bouquet-de-cliché behind in this theater. McCain, while having the least attractive look, is the only one who left the ol' red white and blue behind - a maverick maneuver that seems to have missed the mark. Now that I'm staring at it, doesn't Romney's eagle/flag remind you of the logo of the Chokers of the Year, the New England Patriots? Just a little? Decide for yourself:
http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=151
Metaphors abound...
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