At the beginning of 2024, WhatTheyThink looked at some spectacular “gotta see it to believe it” packaging fails. These are the kinds of fails that remind us that prototypes matter. One might like to believe that some of the product design folks at New Era read that article, but perhaps they didn’t. Now it’s time to add their Overlap hats to the “fails” list.
The concept of an overlap hat is pretty cool—take the team logo and overlay it onto the name of the team—but, as in the examples last year, did anyone create prototypes to see if the great idea translated into great execution? To quote Dr. Rick: “We all see it…We all see it.” Or do we?
Texas Tetas
So, a few days ago, the internet blew up with the company’s latest hat designs. For example, this for the Texas Rangers…
Source: SB Nation
As SB Nation put it: “Make sure to get your yearly tetas exam. Prevention is better than the cure.”
The Washington Nawals
The Washington Nationals just got renamed, as well. It seems that they’ve become the Nawals. But some good came out of this one. Online commentator Brodie Brazil said that, thanks to this brilliant design, he learned that narwals aren’t mythical creatures.
Source: SB Nation
The…Whatever That Is
Then there are the MMMis. Mmmmm, mmmm, good.
Source: SB Nation
Beware the Shortening Phrase
But let’s not pick too hard on New Era. Other companies make mistakes, too. And to be fair, sometimes those mistakes won’t show up in a prototype.
Source: Aiia
Direct Mail Isn’t Off the Hook
Finally, let’s not let direct mail off the hook. There can be some “who’s minding the store” moments for print, too. Like this example provided by Postcard Mania:
Source: Postcardmania
Did you know that this postcard was for hearing aids? Us neither.
Funny Until It’s You
We can all use a good laugh now and then, so what’s the point? Everyone gets a giggle out of other people’s mistakes…until it happens to them. To see that in action, just Google “worst logo fails of all time.” The images are so graphic that we can’t reproduce examples here. Yet among the companies represented are big names like Pepsi, the Olympics, and the Catholic Church’s Archdiocese Youth Commission. They should know better! Right?
It just shows that it can happen to anyone. Unless your in-house design team designed the project, such fails aren’t necessarily the printer’s fault. But printers can serve the important role of gatekeepers and an extra set of eyes.
Which leads to the question…In the examples above, the client clearly didn’t notice. But did anyone at the print or embroidery shop? Is it possible that they didn’t?
