1. This first example I think is really good - a creative use of type to make an image of the candidate, and a lovely clean and clear typeface for the essential information. Eye catching without being visually loud or loud or jarring.
2. This one, for Parap Fine Foods, I liked because the typeface is attractive and appropriate, and the fonts used across the whole awning are consistent.
3. This sandwich board for Easy Loans works simply because the font is lowercase, sans serif, making it feel casual and the rounded corners contribute to a friendly, informal feel. However it's important that it is regular and ordered, and easy to read, because after all, they are dealing with money - and a scrawly or crazy looking font would be the wrong thing altogether.
4. This restaurant sign appealed to me because even though the main font is a little bit zany and organic looking, it's still clear and easy to read. The font does look a bit cactus-y too. It looks like it would be a fun place to eat, and a little bit exotic.
5. Nomad Art - happily found just near Prickles! These are beautiful, modern, clean fonts, and although different in a few ways, still harmonise nicely. I think it won't look dated anytime soon.
1. This doesn't work for me because it swerves badly off the road of its main function - it needs to be read. It just looks sort of tarted up for the sake of being tricky. I dodn't see that it said Jani King until I looked at the web address below, it read Jan King to me, as my eye was drawn to the cartoonish crown. The font reminds me of a 60's american print-advertising font, which doesn't help how I feel about the business, especially since I've never heard of it. Also, my pet hate, too many typefaces in a small space! Too busy.
2. Well, no-one likes being screamed at, even in print. There is a riot of typefaces here, mostly in all caps. Possibly the desired effect is to get the reader's attention, but this "arrangement" doesn't lead the eye or seem to have any pattern. The reader can't discern any meaning and quickly loses interest.
3. Luckily people expect bad art from tradies, it fits a stereotype which works for travelling billboards like this guy's truck is. I just don't think it's as good as it could be - again, too many different fonts, especially the "TC" and "Lawns", which I imagine are both part of a single business name, are similar, but inexplicably not the same.
4. Dolly O'Reilly's paired with the already schizophrenic Hibiscus Tavern. The typefaces themselves aren't bad - but together they make a mess! Is this a theme pub, an after-work grog-trough or a smart and friendly bar? Aaargh!
5. I had fun with my partner looking through the yellow pages and couldn't resist putting all of them in. We kept finding more and more.
The first, going clockwise from top left, because it's a classic font problem - an L and an I ending up looking like a U at first glance. The second because even though it probably counts as a logo (?) it is confusing looking and the d is just plain weird for no reason. The last, because the lettering is all squashed together.
