Practice safe design, use a concept

i cdnuolt blveiee taht yuo cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht yuor rdanieg
The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, it dseno't mtaetr in waht
oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit
and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef,
but the wrod as a wlohe.

{ PUTs ANGRY TYPOGRAPHERs HAT ON}
The human eye is trained to read words in fragments ( a serious of letters ),
then a cluster ( a sentence ). These clusters are based on a familiarity with
the overall parameter the respective word makes when looked at with/through
the peripheral eye. We recognize the fragment and cluster before the individual
letters, following the metaphor "the forest before the trees." We see through
a broader visual language. Letters are graphic forms first while the second
function is a visual representation of phonetics, sounds forming speech creating
human syntax. The most effective use of design ever created?
Street signage ( aside from propaganda ). It's been specifically designed to be
intrusive within the natural environment ( nature or man made ). The shape
of signage is not elegant or pretty. The colors do not blend seamlessly into
it's environment. There is no visual or experiential harmony with signage.
It's been designed to get your attention. Having said this, when was the last
time you actually acknowledged the sign? You probably didn't, at least not
while staring directly at it. It was peripheral. However, it was acknowledged.
Consistency will always be the driving force behind visual communication.
Even bad design can survive through consistent use ( street signage ).
However, why promote poor design? Simple design does not mean simplistic design.

{ PUTs ANGRY CREATIVEs HAT ON }
For the love of all that is intelligent communication, give the viewer credit.
They will figure it out. And if they don't, perhaps you don't need them...

{ PUTs ANGRY ACCOUNT SERVICEs HAT ON }
Next time client x asks for larger type or for their logo slightly bigger, remind them how great their logo looks on radio.

{ PUTs STOIC PHILOSOPHERs HAT ON }
Communication without intelligence is just noise.

{ PUTs ZEN MASTERs HAT ON }
The head of a dead cat.

8)

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