Via Denis Lirette

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1G2FbQXC5w

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d96QRFkFQTc

University of Toronto made a pretty poor design decision by fading out St. Michael’s lower extremities in the hospital logo. To me it looks like he’s taking a leak. To others it might look like something else, not so uncommon amongst sexual deviants in Toronto downtown parks. Here is my artistic rendition of what I see every time I pass by the hospital:

There is also a massive billboard adoring the wall of the hospital – in this one steamy clouds are rising as St. Michael is taking a satisfying urban leak on our great city of Toronto. “$5 if you can hit the CN Tower!”

Below is what the original statue in the lobby of St. Michael’s looks like. This photo was taken by a Flickr user jp1958. If you have the time, you can  read a brief touching story about the statue and it’s importance to the hospital on St. Michael’s website.

Now, traditionally, St. Michael is portrayed treading on Satan or a serpent, carrying a banner, scales, and sword. A good example is a painting by Guido Reni.

Why did the University of Toronto and the hospital make this poor choice? Who knows, but it makes me wonder how many sets of eyes have seen what I see. And how many hospital admins thought this was a great rendition of the logo and rubber-stamped it all the way to the billboard.

Disclaimer: I have no doubt that St. Michael’s Hospital is a fantastic teaching hospital that does a lot of great work. I would not hesitate to be treated there in case of a medical mishap. Unfortunately, it does not reflect in their logo. It does not do their symbol great justice. Instead it opens up it’s interpretation to various wondering, perverted minds, like mine.

Educate Yourself, Fool

• TED – Everyone knows TED.
• WGBH – Online lectures galore.
• Academic Earth – TED, but nerdier.

Dig Through Archives

• AIGA Design Awards – AIGA design archive.
• LIFE Google Archive – Never-before-seen images from the LIFE photo archive.. Wonderful.
• Gutenberg Image Search – Find the most incredible visuals in the Gutenberg archive.

Identity Crisis

• Brand New – Re-branding blog.
• Logopond – Logo inspiration, community feedback and rating.
• Logo of the Day – A logo daily.
• Logo Lounge – Logo inspiration, community feedback and rating.
• Identity Archives – Identity history from around the world.
  
• Logo Design Love – Great blog on logo inspiration, history and re-branding.
• logoed – A great logo blog.
  

Interior, Craft & Industrial Inspiration

• This Ain’t No Disco – Interior design of creative agencies from around the world.
• Core77 – All things industrial.
• Instructables – Build your own hammock stand or a solar-powered hair dryer.
• Etsy – Beautiful crafts and unique gifts.
  

Take a Picture

• Tag Galaxy – Browse Flicker using galaxies of keywords.
  
• Photomicography Competition – A really cool collection of micro photography.
  

Eye Candy

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• We Heart It – Same as above.
  
• FFFFound! – Same as above, but more “exclusive” and snobby.

Visual Culture, Inspiration

• NEW Industry Arts – Interesting fashion and design feature magazine online.
• SpaceCollective – Futurism, social interaction and art. Really insightful and beautifully laid out.
• FAIRspot – General creative inspiration.
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Get Some Fine Art & Illustration Inspiration

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• illyPads – Illustrator inspiration and tutorials.
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For Book, Print & Packaging Nerds

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• Lovely Package – Wonderful packaging design blog.
  

Portfolios

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• Behance – Another portfolio hosting service and creative network.

Advertising Inspiration

• Osocio – Social advertising blog.
  
• Coloribus – Advertising idea blog and database.
• Bannerblog – The granddaddy of all banner blogs.
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Web & Interactive Stuff

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• FWA – Bedazzled pimp cup of online awards.
  

Flash, Motion

• Ventilate – Music video, motion inspiration blog.
  
• MrDoob – Experimental flash inspiration.
  
• Michael Battle – Inspiring Flash/Papervision 3D developer.
  
• Flash Blog – All things flash blogged.
  
• Carlos Lolua – Flash/Papervision 3D inspiration.
  

I launched an experiment that lasted throughout much of 2008. Among my many online ventures lies CheesesOfNazareth.info, a URL purchased on my behalf by one of our aforementioned talented designers as a Secret Santa gift in 2007. From what I understand, all hangers-on in the agency business are ceremoniously slaughtered by interns on the day before their 40th birthday, which is why I’m making plans to have my online cheese and cheese product empire up, running, and thriving well before that day comes. But the first step was to get a logo for the cover of my business plan.

I turned to the cleverly named 50DollarLogo.com, a site based in Sri Lanka or somewhere promising six logo designs, unlimited revisions, and a 1-3 day turnaround. Who needs messy things like research, insight, or even a modicum of information about my business, when I can have unlimited revisions? I quickly gave them my information, credit card number, social security number, and bank account routing number, and we were off to the races.

Read more at 160 over 90

Via Joe Ribaudo