posted
Sign Media is a publication distributed free of charge to sign companies right across Canada. We have been an advertiser in it for many years. It is a publication full of great articles, profiles, and advertisements. The Buyer's Guide comes out once a year and it is something you want to keep handy for reference. The cover is a great place to display exceptional work in the industry. Personally, I'm offended and disappointed in several areas with this years cover including "exceptional design".
Is it just me or do any of you think this cover is offensive and even disturbing?
I am going to send them a letter outlining my concerns, I just wanted to know if I'm over reacting.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Tell 'em I thought it was a dumb cover too.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Obviously I haven't seen the complete issue, but. Is it a lead-in to an article on crappy signs?
Gal looks fine though.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
I to don't get the relevance of the cover. I did not like it when I saw it, not sure what their point of putting that on there was, other than see what reaction they would get or at the least get your attention...Pretty sad if that's the case. I think a letter would be quite justified.
-------------------- Pat Welter Masterhand Signs and Designs Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada Posts: 1304 | From: Unity, Saskatchewan.Canada | Registered: May 1999
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I was offended by the crappy design never mind anything else. As usual I did a cursory flip through and tossed it into my recycling bin as per usual.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Until I saw the TINY 99.9 FM, I thought it was one of those signs on the trucks driving around Vegas. And I'm not saying that because this was posted by a part of the "directionally challenged in Vegas" duo.
And I would NOT want that laying on my desk or counter for a customer to see. Doesn't offend me personally, just don't think it lends to a professional image.
posted
Good thing the Blind Man can not see the message.
-------------------- Kevin Betz KB Sign Company 21321 Ulrich Clinton Township, MI 48036 kbsigncompany@att.net Posts: 229 | From: Detroit, MI | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
does it offend me? no. It is a free publication as you stated it is a buyers guide. Ive seen worse than this on sitcom tvs at night.
I dont understand the revelance but she is hot right now I guess they are all milking it while they can
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
personally I can't get past the font and taking out the centers of the R,D,O A's. I'm surprised it didn't say 69FM. The designer probably hasn't been laid in awhile and its showing in his work.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Hey Duncan, just glad someone is giving this thing a 'heads' up (no pun intended.....well kinda..)
Mixed feelings about a few things here:
- If you buy ads in there regularely and don't like what you see, good on you, fire away let'm know!
- Is it 'offencive' naaaa, we've all seen worst. Distastefull, inproper, bad jugement...of course! It sucks! Besides, this is not a concept, the banner is up there for everyone to see (not just Canadian sign guys, for all we know, there could be a daycare centre across the road!) And then the city permit dude will tell us what goes and not....seriously, but that's a different can of worms.....
- The fact that most people who got this magazine didn't react either way....troubleing to say the least...
- The fact that people might have something to say about 'crappy' design...NOW THAT'S interesting, because we are surrounded by it, it has become the norm in a scary way, and if we all start to let the magazine publishers know when they expose what should be hidden, THAT would be a can to opened.
Not likely to happen either, the majory wouldn't recognize crappy design if they ran their can in the billboard!
But like I said...FIRE away Duncan, let'm have it!
posted
It's funny you mentioned it Duncan. When I got it in the mail I just stared at it trying to figure it out. My first thoughts were OMG grunge! They said media/advertising was going grunge, but I seriously did not think it would creep its way into/onto our Sign Publications. I hope this is not the type of design that I will be expected to do in the future. And good thing I hope to retire within the next 15 years, cause I really don't think I want to keep up to this type of advertising.
If I advertised in it I would definitely give them a piece of my mind.
No jokes about blondes or small pieces please. I can hunt you down. LOL
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
A polka stick is another name for a Pogo Cello. It's got a broomstick like handle.
Sign Media profiles different signs on their magazine covers. Although it lacks taste in my opinion, it does fall into the gambit. It's particularly unfortunate that they chose to exhibit on the cover of the Buyer's Guide however, because most Canadians will keep it as a reference.
[ January 27, 2011, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
It's a sad fact of life that people who lack creativity and skills have to resort to being offensive in order to get noticed. I wouldn't want my kids seeing that, so yes, it is offensive. Don't we already have enough porn around?
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Give them heck Dunc! Since when is We've all seen worse, a reason to accept the worst as the new norm? Freedom of the press does not guarantee freedom from repercussions. You may be guaranteed the right to speak but no one has to stand there quietly while you dish out uncivil nonsense.
-------------------- Bob Sauls Sauls Signs & Designs Tallahassee, Fl
"Today I'll meet nice people and draw for them!" Posts: 765 | From: Tallahassee, Fl | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Well, I'm glad to hear I'm not the lone voice in this matter. This afternoon, I've taken pen to paper and sent a note to my advertising sales rep. It will be interesting to see any feedback I get. Since I've brought you all into this, I want to be as transparent as possible. I'll keep you posted as things unfold. Here's the body of my email..
"Hi David, Can you point me to the right person in your organization please.
I have done a bit of a survey with some of my industry friends and clients. I am not alone in my contempt of the cover of the latest buyers guide. Beside the fact it is morally repulsive, it is a boring example of signage and a poor example of design. This is an issue that should put our industry's best foot forward. Is this an example of the best our industry can do? My first instinct is to toss it in the trash, but wait, it is full of good information and contacts and people have paid good money to advertise there products in there.
I definitely wouldn't want one of my customers to see it out in the open. We are trying to elevate the stature of the sign business, not cheapen it. A thinly veiled nude picture of a woman, covered in cuts all over her body, with suggestive wording done on a poorly designed banner. Is this the state of the sign industry in Canada?
I'd expect this shock tactic to be used on a corner store tabloid or an adult website, but the SignMedia Buyers Guide. Really! Now, I don't consider myself a prude, nor do I want to trample on freedom of speech. I just don't think this is a relevant reflection of the "State of the Sign Industry in Canada."
As an long time advertiser, I need to decide if I want to continue advertising in your publication. I have been pleased with the results our ads have generated over the years.
Please can someone explain to me the thought process behind this choice of material? I'm willing to listen to their logic with an open mind. How does this cover reflect the Sign Industry and the advertisers within that cover?
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Just another example of how art imitates life. I agree with your concerns Duncan from an advertisers point of view. But it is a reflection of where our advertising as a whole is. It seems to be based on shock value as stated, Attention, either negative or positive is the desire. Too often it is negative nowadays.
I do agree it was in poor tast from a trade magazine.
[ January 28, 2011, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I'm not in Canada but I think this post says Duncan is not alone and more of you from Canada should voice your opinion. There is strength in numbers. That is poor taste at the very least and down right offensive in my book. Lots of times I take recent issues of sign mags and lay them on our entry coffee table to customers to look through who are waiting for a ride or whatever. I KNOW I wouldn't lay that one out there!! Somebody wasn't thinking....
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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