Beautiful Ohio? Where?

This post definitely contains cursing... just a forewarning.

This is a nod to the pr*tty sh*tty design blog I navigate to each morning. I was initially going to throw out a simple rant concerning the new license plate that we Ohioans must endure for who knows how long until I thought of a legitimate comparison... New Mexico's plate.

I'm not sure where or when it was that I stole a glimpse of Ohio's license plate future, but as the spottings increased so did the welling of anger inside me. Okay, I can't say I'm furious... more disappointed. I read that this was simply a trial plate and you could still purchase the old ones. But not long ago, they announced that they officially made the switch. Holy hell on earth will there be a shit storm at the BMV if I can't buy something other than that piece of shit. That's right, I'm willing to drop some dollars in order to protect the ass-end of my car from something that should've been wiped off of it.

The problem is that I find it hard to believe that whoever was hired to do this (I haven't put a lot of effort into finding out either), if they were hired at all, considers this a portfolio piece. I can probably see how this process might've played out. Follow me here...

Step 1: X design firm bids and is awarded the job of creating an updated plate for Ohio.

Awesome! Everyone will see our work!

Step 2: A bureaucratic committee is formed to oversee its creation.

Awesome! We all have so many great ideas! BTW... did you know that I once taught my neice's kindergarten art class? I'm very artistic.

Step 3: Initial concepts are presented which were probably decent enough... maybe even implementing Ohio's newly developed logo which isn't all that bad.

They're going to love these.

Step 4: The eleven committee members gasp silently and immediately begin the assassination of what could've been a good idea.

Well, I think it's important to show that Ohio has cities... AND farms... OH! and a bridge could symbolize the connection between our urban and rural heritage!... some rays of sun... and how could we forget about the Wright Brothers!?! And is there a different font for "Beautiful?" Maybe something more elegant? Can we put a glow on it to make it more legible?

Steps 5-1000: After a year of revisions, lost souls and wasted money, they come to the solution you see before you. An utter piece of shit.

We'll never do design work again.

The biggest problem of all is that the committee is probably very proud of this. Don't be fooled here. This is not art. This is not up for someone's subjective interpretation. Some joe-shmo's opinion doesn't count here... no more than my opinion counts in how to disassemble a nuclear warhead. It's shit. Bottom line and I hope to God I'm able to put something else on my car when the time comes.

Now, please enjoy the simplicity and legibility of New Mexico's plate. Take it in because you won't see but once a year at best. And even then, they've upgraded as well. A step (a very small one) down, in my opinion, but leaps and bounds beyond our state's embarrassment.

So this post did end up being a rant. Sorry.