The ABC’s of Branding poster
Lovely 18″x24″ poster by Orlando-based designer Jason Dean.
The logos are foil stamped and embossed, available as silver on black, or gold on cream. Notice how all 26 letters of the alphabet fit in a 5×5 grid?
The limited edition poster (500 prints of each) is being sold for $50 over at The Best Part shop, but Jason has kindly agreed to give away four posters (two of each colour) to Logo Design Love readers.
For entry into the draw all you need to do is comment with a design-related joke—winners will be drawn, notified, and listed here in a few days.
Any decent jokes will be published over on David Airey dot com, with a link back to your website, for whatever it’s worth.
Update: 16 December 2009
The four poster winners have been drawn, listed here. Thanks for all the great comments!
Hosted by the excellent 
94 appreciated comments, click here to add one
Chris
Clever way of making it fit the 5×5 grid… putting V and W together with VW.
No point me entering a competition, if I got one it’d only get ruined eventually, but nicely laid out, could go well on an office wall…
Dec 13th, 2009
Matt
Three fonts walk into a bar.
The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve your type here.”
:)
Dec 13th, 2009
Marty Jones
Matt, I heard things got really out of hand, and they had to called the Serif. Hoho, so classy.
Dec 13th, 2009
Jesse Sims
What did Helvetica say to Arial?
You’re such a copy cat
Dec 13th, 2009
Amber Gail
How many designers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Does it HAVE to be a lightbulb?
Dec 13th, 2009
Geek in Heels
Q: How many web designers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Three. One to change the structure, one to update the style, and one to blog about the inadequate bulb support offered by today’s socket manufacturers.
Dec 13th, 2009
Benjamin Kogl
What did the 0 say to the 8??
Nice belt!
Dec 13th, 2009
Youssef Sarhan
what is the story regarding copyright of the logos and trying to resell them in this form? or are you merely reselling the work that went into the poster. I’m interested.
Dec 13th, 2009
natalie
aww I have a type joke too:
You’re not my type. Gill Sans is.
Dec 13th, 2009
Kenny
Q: What did HEX say to RGB?
A: EFF0FF
Dec 13th, 2009
Tony Bova
It’s interesting that they chose the old Xerox logo instead of the current (less interesting) sphere based one.
Dec 13th, 2009
Gabriel Rodrigues
No doubt has an exceptional polishment, but I think that Jason Dean was inconsistent in their choices and changes in they system for presenting them in that way.
As an example, he used single letters of the original brands, like ABC, Coca-Cola, Ford, which is not provided in the oficial use from their owners. It would be amazing if we saw all brands displayed such as Texaco, McDonald’s and Honda, which are applied and displayed in public in this way.
Another issue was have used brands such as Quicktime, rather than their owner, in case, Apple.
The intelligence of the VW was phenomenal, but it is impossible not criticize the rules used for composing it a resolution so small and simple as that.
After looking at the first time, the second step is to identify the brands and their relationship on the frame.
After all, it’s all about the relationship of the parties
that make the consistency to be smart and clever in any project :)
Thank you all, I hope I have not been rude or annoying.
Regards, from Brazil.
Dec 13th, 2009
Huong Le
Why was the word mad at the paragraph?
Because it was on it’s rag.
:)
Dec 13th, 2009
Trish
ah, I was going to do the lightbulb joke. hmm…
Knock, Knock
Who’s There?
Logo Designer
Logo Designer, who?
That’s the problem.
(sorry, my humor is a little dry)
Dec 13th, 2009
Colin Dunn
What did the typeface get at KFC? Popkern chicken!
Dec 13th, 2009
Carlton
Did you hear about the font planning to go to the typography convention?
Apparently, it was very x-height-ed.
Dec 13th, 2009
Adriane
It’s not mine, but…
Four fonts walk into a bar.
The barman says, “Get out! We don’t want your type in here.”
Dec 13th, 2009
Kevin Keating
The designer of the new corporate identity for Viagra® was at a tedious Monday-morning meeting with a committee full of Pfizer execs and their “designer” nephews. After presenting the first round of mockups to the group, there was – as expected – a great deal of quibbling about the placement and size of the new logo:
“Can’t you make it bigger?”
“Uh…isn’t that what the pill is for?”
Dec 13th, 2009
Ricardo Pitanga
M flirts with F: let’s adjust the kerning between us
it works better out loud (:
Dec 13th, 2009
Julian Long
I often design on spec. (ha ha)
related… Book title: A Tale of Two Serifs
First Line: It was the best of Times it was the worst of Times.
Dec 13th, 2009
Josiah Jost
I was going to share a joke but I’m rather sans comic tonight. :)
Love the poster! :)
Dec 13th, 2009
Stefanie
Baby, if you were type, you’d be what they call, “fine print.”
(Okay, more like a corny pick-up line, but hilarious, right??)
Dec 13th, 2009
guillaume
“- What is the type designer’s favorite breakfast?
- Kern flakes!”
Eheheh hilarious isn’t it?
Anyway, great poster, would love to get one
Dec 13th, 2009
David
The one my design lecturer told at least once a week:
Optima walks into a bar and says “Tino sent me.” The Bartender says, “Any Palatino is a pal ’o mine!”
Dec 13th, 2009
adnewall
What does your brain do when you spill your tea?
It automatically tells you “Ctrl-Z! Ctrl-Z!”. When you realize it won’t work, your brain tells you “Ctrl-Alt-Z! Ctrl-Alt-Z!”
Dec 13th, 2009
Lucky
How many fonts does it take to piss of a designer?
Just one, comic sans.
(It’s funny because it’s real)
Dec 13th, 2009
Ivan Nikolic
One font meets the other in Rome. He asks: “Hey, are you a roman too?” “No,” says the other, “but I’m an Italic!” :))
Dec 13th, 2009
Josie Jones
I love this poster, I’m a font freak..i’ll admit my fetish here and heres my chance at poster..thanks xo
1st Designer: “Wow, you always have so many fonts, where do you get them from?”
2nd Designer: “Oh they come from Monaco, Geneva, Chicago, New York… I get them delivered at various Times throughout the day…”
1st Designer: “By who?”
2nd Designer: “A Courier!”
Dec 13th, 2009
Jeroen
Great posters! Specially the black one.
Q: How do you get a web designer off of your front porch?
A: pay for your pizza…
Dec 13th, 2009
Chergaoui
These posters are gorgeous :)
Okay, I’m not really a master of jokes, and especially design related.. But let’s try something… comic :p
“Comic sans is best font ever!”
Dec 13th, 2009
Paul Randall
Q. What kind of relationships do typophiles prefer?
A. The Open Type
Dec 13th, 2009
Valentino
Alrighty here we go:
What do you call bad kerning?
Keming.
Dec 13th, 2009
Sean Stewart
I’d like a poster! Here’s my entry:
Why did the typographic fish die? Because it was gill sans!
Thank you! Love this site!
-Sean
Dec 13th, 2009
Denú Molehands
Okai a new age one:
A designer’s son to one of his friends while playing:
- You know what’s the most powerful type of Pokemon out there?
- Of course, its Gara-mon !!
Dec 13th, 2009
Lucky
@Valentino
Good one!
Dec 13th, 2009
kenny
ahh…my 2 jokes were taken. So here’s something else funny. That monster.com job in advertising spoof from about 10 Years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpqwrEdlo4s&feature=youtube_gdata
Dec 13th, 2009
Luke Duesing
AWESOME posters. I might just be drooling right now…
You all are such WINGDINGS, and you really must STOP before you have an IMPACT in GEORGIA.
Ho ho ho… ;)
Dec 13th, 2009
James George Dunn
You know you’re a graphic designer which you maintain a grid system for your fridge magnets.
I’m pleased to say that I do this :)
Dec 13th, 2009
Jory
This isn’t so much a joke, more of a pun.
I was looking at a nicely designed poster the other day that used Helvetica Ultra Light and I realized I was thinking the same thing I always think when I look at that weight.
“She’s got really sexy i’s”
Dec 13th, 2009
A6
Les is more
Dec 13th, 2009
Dave Lilly
Can I submit this one?:
http://www.logodesignlove.com/best-logo-design-tutorial-ever
OMG! HilArious man!! I laugh every time I think about it!!
Dec 13th, 2009
Jason
Yo momma’s so skinny that everyone calls her Stick Ultra Light Condensed.
Dec 13th, 2009
@gariphic
That’s my type of poster.
Dec 13th, 2009
David Airey
Thanks, folks! Some good ones in there for sure.
Dec 13th, 2009
Neil Martin
Valentino deserves to win. Keming – Made me chuckle.
Dec 13th, 2009
snaggle
Q: How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: A fish.
Dec 13th, 2009
Victor Zuniga
No kern no gain!!!
I’m lame… you already posted the good ones… haha.. :P
Dec 14th, 2009
casey
I don’t have any jokes better than those already shared, but I would love to have this poster in my office.
Dec 14th, 2009
Sara Tack
What’s it called when two type designers approach the same problem from opposite perspectives?
A difference of Filosophia’s.
What did one type designer say to the other after he erased the other’s hard drive?
Sorry, it was an Akzidenz!
Dec 14th, 2009
Dominic
A joke?
COMIC SANS! :D
ok, pretty obvious, I know ;)
what about this one:
What kind of lettering is known to suffer from Tourettes?
Cursive :D
——————-
and What did the 8 say to the infinity symbol?
WAKE UP! ;)
Dec 14th, 2009
Emmet
What font did the astrologist use to write the daily horoscopes?
Futura
…Sorry, I don’t have many design jokes.. amazing poster though, did something like that for a student project but obviously not so well executed..
Dec 14th, 2009
sean23uk
nicely executed idea this poster, but surely a massive copyright issue?!
i’m sure when various marketing depatements get wind of it that’ll be the end of it…
grab one now whilst you got the chance!
Dec 14th, 2009
Stephen Lee Ogden
Poster is great …
What’s the difference in a designer and an artist?
A checking account.
Dec 14th, 2009
Chris knight
This is great i would love to win this so here it goes.
Favorite typophile superhero? CAPtain America
Dec 14th, 2009
Adam
abc
budweiser
coca cola
disney
enron
ford
ge
honda
ibm
johnson and johnson
kelloggs
l?????
mcdonalds
new york times
target
pepsi
quicktime
ray-ban
superman
texaco
united
volkswagon
xerox
yahoo
zenith
Anyone know L?
Dec 14th, 2009
Josh
Q: What is a typographers favorite candy?
A: em and ems.
Dec 14th, 2009
Adam
got it….
eli lilly
Thanks Joe.
Dec 14th, 2009
Sarah
A font walks up to Gill Sans and asks: “do you want to go out with me?”. But Gill Sans says “no”. “Why don’t you want to go out with me?” the other font asks. Gill Sans: “Because you’re Grotesque!”
Dec 14th, 2009
Paul
Comic Sans
really is there any better joke? Some people even use it
Dec 14th, 2009
eve
stretching the term designer here, but:
Why is it a bad thing when someone says your canvas stretching is like Lautrec?
Because it’s “too loose”, Toulouse!
Dec 14th, 2009
colin
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/images/2007/06/04/2012_logo_white_385×450.jpg
Dec 14th, 2009
Matt Fouty
How do Graphic Designers make money?
They kern it.
Bad, I know… but I really want one of those posters! (Silver on black if I have a choice)
Dec 14th, 2009
Shawn
What is the favorite bathroom appliance of a graphic designer?
The toilet – because you can make things flush
I am so sorry.
Dec 15th, 2009
Dominic
- Knock knock
- Who is there?
- A client.
-A client who?
- A CLIENT WHO IS NOT PISSING YOU OFF BY ASKING FOR A MORE BIGGER WEB 2.0 LOGO WITH RAINBOW WORD-ART IN IT! ….. NOT
yeah… I just had that with a client… aigain… :D
Dec 15th, 2009
Graham
damn designers aren’t funny o_O this one was rather good though
“Q: How do you get a web designer off of your front porch?
A: pay for your pizza…”
Dec 15th, 2009
Martin Boath
I’ve tried to resist, really I have, but those posters are great so in order to stand a chance, I apologise in advance for this, somewhat pre-Mac era gag…
Q: How many typesetters does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, but be sure to specify how tight you want it.
Dec 15th, 2009
James Kurtz III
Yo mama’s so old, she refers to Century as Futura.
Dec 15th, 2009
Preston
Ok, here’s a terrible one. But I really want that poster. :)
What did the greedy graphic designer say at the font sale?
How much for Aldus?
Regardless of the terrible jokes offered here, that poster is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing
Dec 15th, 2009
Jesse
What did the horse say to Bordeaux?
Why the long type face?
Dec 15th, 2009
Michael
Q: Did you hear about the old designer who didn’t want to learn
how to set type on a computer.
A: He is having a hard time leading go
Dec 15th, 2009
Paul
L is Lysol
Dec 15th, 2009
Alphonse
This is a joke, right?
Since when is it okay to make money off other peoples copywritten work?
Dec 15th, 2009
Jacob
When is a good time to use Papyrus?
When Helvetica freezes over.
Dec 15th, 2009
Bruce
How many Art Directors does it take to change a light bulb?
No more changes.
Dec 16th, 2009
Michael Tracey
Not so much a joke, but some funny home truths :)
1. You’ve almost rear-ended the car in front of you because you were analyzing a font on a billboard.
2. You get pissed when a free Photoshop brush you download is less than 1000px in size.
3. You’d rather study the paisley pattern on your boyfriend/girlfriend’s shirt than listen to what he/she has to say.
4. You can use keyboard shortcuts at light speed, blindfolded, but you can’t type a paragraph of text without staring at the keyboard.
5. You’ve had “Software Nightmares,” when you’ve been working way too much.
6. You consider meals interruptions.
7. You’ve learned your lesson and stopped using the word “final” in any file name when saving.
8. You clean your keyboard more often than you wash your car.
9. You’ve intentionally given up trying to explain your projects to non-designers.
10. You see CMYK and RGB like Neo sees the Matrix.
11. You’d rather organize your desktop than your sock drawer.
12. When you heard that Adobe was aquiring Macromedia, you had a Design Orgasm.
13. When you look at Album art all you see are grunge Photoshop Brushes. (Then you see the album art a couple minutes later)
14. You’ve Photoshopped out a watermark for a comp or mock-up.
15. You’ve actually $paid for a font.
16. You’ve totally slaughtered a great design concept because the client thinks he/she knows best. (everyone thinks they are a designer)
17. The amount of words you’ve written with a sharpie labeling burned discs total more than the amount of words you’ve read in novels.
18. You’ve had to explain to a client that a layered file wasn’t part of the deal.
19. You’ve kept a ragged concert ticket just so you could scan it.
20. You’ve nicknamed the OSX spinning wheel. (and not affectionately)spinning beachball o’ death
21. You bookmark a resource more often than you have a fun night out on the town.
22. You’ve intentionally overbid a project because you can sniff out a bad client from a mile away.
23. You can’t go to a restaurant without secretly critiquing the menu design.
24. You have an amazingly huge font collection, and an amazingly short temper.
25. If you had a penny for every mouse click, you would have been a trillionaire 3 years ago.
26. You have removed the arrows and cleaned up the fonts on a forwarded mail before forwarding on (as I have just done!)
Dec 16th, 2009
daveisdrawing
Release the clipping masks!
Dec 16th, 2009
David Airey
Thanks very much for all the jokes. I’ve randomly drawn the four winners, and have sent them each an email. Here they are:
Trish
Sara Tack
Matt
Martin Boath
Dec 16th, 2009
Aaron Willard
OK, I have a joke.
Papyrus !
Dec 16th, 2009
Trish
Wow. Thanks! Never won anything before. This is so cool! Hope it means my crappy luck lately is turning around. :)
I’m keeping Michael Tracey’s post. Totally forwarding that on.
Thanks again!
Trish
Dec 16th, 2009
Julian Long
I have a sad.
Dec 17th, 2009
Cameron Sandage
Finals are done, grades are in, I just emailed all these jokes to my professors and fellow students in my classes. Such good stuff here. Poster is very interesting.
Dec 17th, 2009
seth
what’s a typographer’s favorite military rank?
“kern”-el!
Dec 17th, 2009
Lilu
What did Helvetica say to Arial?
You’re such a copy cat
Dec 18th, 2009
N
This poster is awesome! My three-year-old looked at it and immediately recognized like five of the logos. Very nice!
Dec 21st, 2009
sara tack
Got my poster today! Thanks David, Jason and LogoDesignLove!
Have a happy, merry holiday.
Dec 24th, 2009
Luke Southwell
LOL for H – honda logo
Dec 25th, 2009
Trish
I got my poster on the 24th as well. It is really nice! Thanks for having this contest!
Jan 8th, 2010
David Airey
Hi Sara, Trish, that’s good news. Thanks again for entering the draw.
Jan 10th, 2010
John Lepp
my wife got this for my birthday and i can say it is gorgeous – stunning and sadly i was able to identify EVERY letter on it… i am going to have mine framed but wanted to know if anyone else has already and do they have pics of how they framed theirs? Thanks David – still need to get your book too…
Jan 11th, 2010
David Airey
That’d be great if you were to buy my book, John. Good of you to consider it.
Jan 11th, 2010
John Lepp
Don’t worry David – it’s a bit of a no brainer… look forward to getting it…
Jan 11th, 2010
Dennis Smolek
I think the keming one was the best..
Jan 18th, 2010
alyssa
What is a designers favorite song???
“BAUHAUS, in the middle of the street, BAUHAUS in the middle of our…”
Jan 29th, 2010
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