It’s not bad, it’s not good, it’s just random strangeness. Coincidence or on purpose? Taken by Drew Newell near Farmington, New Mexico in 2006.

Stole this from skateboard website Post 22. I’d like to think these two billboards were placed next to each other by mistake, because that would be funnier, but I’m starting to wonder if the beer billboard went up first and then the “don’t buy alcohol for teens” one. That wouldn’t be so funny. But what would we call it if the anti-teen-alcohol billboard first and then the beer one?

Dang, I guess I better cancel my trip.

This billboard might be raising awarenress, but it could probably raise a lot more with a few tweaks to the design.

1. Although the content of the billboard related to kids, it is not targeted towards kids, nor is it a kid-related product. The target is adults with kids, and the message is a dark one–if you leave your kids in a hot car they’re going to die or get somewhat fried–not a cutesy one as the font and colors suggest.

2. Nobody is going to be able to see who is supporting the billboard if the logos are that small, but then again you don’t want to make them bigger, so why not just leave them off?

3. “Not even for a minute” is a critical part of the message because the majority of people who leave their kids to die in a hot car are indeed probably intending to only leave the kid alone for “just a minute” while running into the store to pick up something. But it’s purplish-pink on a pink background, while “leave a child in a car” is white and stands out, so the eye is drawn to the white text first, and probably doesn’t have time to see the first line.

Still, it’s not so bad, it’s just that with something this important I’d like to see it be as good as possible. I think the main problem is the “supported by”, “sponsored by”, and “in memory of” items that distract from the primary message. If your intent is to make sure less kids die then get rid of that stuff.

Yeah, that’s just fantastic. I don’t think Jesus would be keen to endorse the message of this billboard. Who are these people? I consider myself a conservative but I sure don’t want to be lumped in with whoever came up with this one.

What is it about realtors feeling like everybody needs to know what they look like? I collect business cards, and I’ll be darned if I don’t have a single card from a realtor that doesn’t have a photo of them on it. At the same time, I don’t think a single one of the other 1,200 cards I have has the person’s photo on it. Apparently that rule extends to billboards as well.

This billboard actually does a few things right. The type is large and easy to read. There’s not too much of it. The problem is that the billboard doesn’t make sense in the first place. What is it’s purpose? What is it supposed to accomplish? Does this guy really believe people are going to drive by and say “Hey, I need a realtor, and this guy is a realtor, I’ll give him a call!” I would guess that something like 90% of realtors are hired through word of mouth and the rest are hired through means other than billboards. Then again, maybe I’m wrong, maybe the billboard does work. All I know is I sure wouldn’t hire this guy. Mostly because I wouldn’t hire a realtor because of a billboard, and secondly because the photo on it reminds me too much of a mug shot.

Rob Calloway has a haircut you could set your watch to. I’m not even sure what to say about this one. I guess talk really is over.

Well, one thing, is Rob also The Bear, or is that who he’s fighting? Doesn’t look like the same guy, but maybe it’s just the hair. Ok, talk really is over now.

Wow, this billboard has everything. No, seriously, I don’t think there is a single “thing” that exists in the universe that was not included on this billboard. At least Butch and the Hollywoods look like they have fun.

This billboard is not next to a freeway, so it can get away with one thing that billboards next to freeways can’t, which is having a lot of text. Still, I’m not sure you should take so many liberties with people’s time. People need to get home, you know. Less is more. Remember how your mom told you to not put your entire dinner in your mouth at once? Similarly you should try not to say it all at once. Also, the red on the black background is a bit hard to read.

My favorite part? “A Special Hog Days Appearance!”

But hey, it was for a school benefit so we have to cut them some slack.

Apparently there is some group that goes around spreading the message that babies shouldn’t be circumcised. I’m constantly amazed how every cause, no matter how irrelevant and seemingly secondary to so many other causes, can attract followers who are willing to spend their time, money, and efforts to promote it.

Not the greatest job of vandalism anyway. With a little work they could have matched the background color, font color, and font, and have put something up that looked like it was actually part of the real sign.

I’m sure the Coalition of Fathers and Families for New York is a fine organization. I’m also pretty sure they’re a non-profit, judging from their billboard which has numerous issues that wouldn’t exist had they spared some change to consult with a professional designer.

1. Too much. There is simply too much for someone to read as they’re driving along. A motorist would be lucky to read the first line up in the red before passing the billboard, let alone the next four lines of text. Then again, if it’s placed in an area where there is very slow or stopped traffic every day then it could work.

2. Website vs. phone number. ACFC.org is a great url. It’s only four letters. It’s a lot easier to remember than 800-978-3237. So why is the website URL so small–too small to be read, in truth–while it’s the phone number that is larger? Plus, who calls numbers anymore? I’m at least 2,419 times more likely to visit a website I see on a billboard as opposed to calling a phone number.

3. Small text. Children need both parents, AGREE? Sure, that sounds great, but the only reason I can read it is because I’m looking at a photo taken at close range. Even if that line were the only line on the billboard I’d have trouble reading it until I was so close that I didn’t have time to read it before passing.

My advice, say more by saying less, and drive people to the website, not a phone number. Following those two simple pieces of advice would probably make this billboard 50 times more effective. Anyone want to take a stab at redesigning it?