New Ohio License Plates design FAIL

by David Esrati on January 9, 2010

in Ohio government issues, Random thoughts

If I gave crayons to a ten year old, I’d probably end up with a better looking license plate than the new “Beautiful Ohio” plate design that I just saw for the first time this afternoon.

"Beautiful Ohio" plates are anything but beautiful

Not only is it busy beyond belief- but the text is unreadable- and even the State name is difficult to read.

If we’re looking to be viewed as a forward thinking high tech State- would a wind turbine and a solar roof be more appropriate? Never mind the Wright Flyer has nothing to do with our industrial base or skill set.

There has already been blowback about the attempt to sell these plates for a $2.50 premium in tough times.

What bothers me most is that Ohio has recently completed a new branding campaign with a very modern, clean look:

New Ohio logo for State branding.

This is legible and looks professional, It’s also only 3 colors- making it less expensive to produce.

Why it’s not an option to put on our plates is a mystery to me- we’ve got plates for almost everything else.

What is your opinion of the new plates- and the State tagline and new mark?

Are we the “State of Perfect Balance” (except for our budget). Or we’re we better off as “The heart of it all”?

Either way- I prefer the new O logo to anything I’ve seen in the past.

UPDATE: November 2011, Columbus College of Art and Design students have redesigned the Ohio plates- I’ll finally be asking for new ones next year>

New Ohio 2011 License Plate Design

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Tagged as: Graphic Design, new Ohio license plate design, Ohio logo and tagline, The state of Perfect Balance

{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }

← Previous Comments

Chris November 24, 2011 at 10:00 pm: So happy that CCAD got the chance to do this! It’s my Alma Mater!

My personal opinion would be to remove all of the words in the background and go with the red triangle, but I’m sure there were lots of compromises along the way. And I’m sure they won’t be all that visible in reality. I hope to see all of the proposed concepts on CCAD’s website soon.

Happy day to me! I’m excited to get new plates for the first time.

Brilliant or Bozo? 1 3
Chet November 28, 2011 at 5:17 pm: The CCAD plate rocks! Thanks CCAD! The farm tag is proof that Governor’s and their wives should stay out of the licence plate design business.

Brilliant or Bozo? 1 2
Jayce November 28, 2011 at 11:49 pm: Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

It’s a plate, you pay on them annually or bi annually. I could care less what they look like, as long as I can drive. The state should worry less about aesthetics and more about what really needs to be dealt with. Now this new governor is going to stick his nose into redesigning the driver license……once again, all over color. I renew my license every four years and barely have it outside of my wallet. Hmm, I guess I don’t constantly stare at it enough to get upset. How much money will go into that? Just like the beautiful Ohio plates, more money down the drain. Maybe we should have designer plates….or not. The person who posted before this was right, governors and their wives need to keep their noses out of license plate and driver license design.

Poorly-rated. Bozo: 0 5
AG November 29, 2011 at 10:56 am: Here’s our new slogan;

“OHIO – OUR LICENSE PLATE LOOKS LIKE AN ENVELOPE”

Brilliant or Bozo? 5 0