Compare the Following

Hair Salon sign

Hair Salon sign, originally uploaded by RickM2007.

The upper sign uses plastic to replicate neon, which I think is kind of amazing.

how could they have failed

how could they have failed, originally uploaded by changoblanco.

Sandwich Board Man

Sandwich Board Man, originally uploaded by paolotich.

I wish I could have been around for the old-fashioned sandwich board.

The Devil is the Boogie Man

The Devil is the Boogie Man, originally uploaded by the_toe_stubber.

DSCN2830-

DSCN2830-, originally uploaded by thekateblack.

The lions emerged looking bright and clean.

The lions emerged looking bright and clean., originally uploaded by squiddity of toronto.

Bi-Helpful

Bi-Helpful, originally uploaded by changoblanco.

The choice of footwear interests me. Why technical sandals?

Piano Free

Ghost, originally uploaded by changoblanco.

NO DELIVERIES BETWEEN AM PM

Noonish, originally uploaded by changoblanco.

Fish Sandwdh

Fish Sandwdh, originally uploaded by changoblanco.

Street performer or schizophrenic?

Street Performer, originally uploaded by jbhangoo.

Eccentricity and insanity exist on a spectrum-ribbon that buckles and changes.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MASCOT

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MASCOT, originally uploaded by huntkid.

Sooooooooo many mixed messages here.

Howard B. Thomas Twisters

Central High School's mascot, originally uploaded by kona_expat.

Welcome to Aitkin, Home of the Gobblers

Gobblers, originally uploaded by amy(k).

High school mascot

high school mascot Texas style!, originally uploaded by Bryant University.

jack in the box sign

jack in the box sign, originally uploaded by EclipseTuliphead.

jesus saves from hell

jesus saves from hell, originally uploaded by Gigi Elmes.

Miscellaneous Notes Towards Definition

Both this document and the parameters of the blog in question are a work in progress.


Origin
I keep noticing signs that seemed to have something in common, but which similarity I find difficult to describe.

These signss are normally banal. If theyaree noticed, they are objects of derision or of mockery. But mostly theyaren't noticed or cared about. This is the weird progeny of universal literacy and of access to cheap printing.

Something fits into the parameters I am setting if it carries the identity of the author in it. That is to say, you can see that it's not made by committee or using a set of guidelines, and it's not guided by research. You know how a burger at small town diner can be crummy but hit the spot because of an old folk recipe, while the same burger made in a "downhome" style in a large restaurant is a little too polished? That's what I'm talking about, only in terms of message.



Characteristics
Let's define some characteristics. The message or design:

Is not pretty.
it was probably made by someone with no graphic design training.
and the designer probably ignored conventional graphic design guidelines.
handmade, if not an ad.
unpolished, shabby.



Is unique.
handmade/handpicked.
done by one person/ a few.
few in number.
local or regional at most.
exists in small towns and large cities/is not limited to subcultures (this kind of removes graffiti).



Is discounted or ignored.
isn't done to be "cool."
isn't treated with respect.
sells something, convinces you of something, or shows something off.
(But otherwise, anything a person writes on the street is up for grabs.)

For a mass audience, but not via mass media
IN USE or meant for use, not for display in a gallery!

More than anything, must say something about the writer or the bearer.



Reason These Things Exist

They allow individuals without corporate structure to show their individuality.
To promote individual ethics using the advertising form.

The noncorporate things people choose to put on their cars, the fronts of their businesses, and on their hats.

What i love about these things is not how unprofessional they are, but how the lack of professionalism creates individuality and personality.

A deal.

via Merlin Mann