New Ohio License Plates design FAIL

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.

Ohio "Beautiful" design for license plates, 2010

"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:

Ohio "The State of Perfect Balance"

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

New Ohio 2011 License Plate Design

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