Comments on: Greenbelt Group Briefed on Strategic Plan

By: Rusty

Rusty — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:51:04 +0000

Seems like many of the properties purchased for this green belt can be traced back, in one way or another, to members on the committee itself. Not surprising, but worth noting nonetheless. Also, the map tells the tale of why Mr. Bloomer “abstained” from the vote to acquire property 2005-08 – it’s his next-door neighbor. Google Maps is a wonderful tool, isn’t it?

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:18:17 +0000

Also, with respect, I hate the type treatment. Slanted slab serif, yuck.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:17:06 +0000

I agree--that graphic is not a successful logo design. It might work as signage for Greenbelt-owned properties (though even there, five colors is a bit much). But as a logo used for branding it's a fail. Not only is it not especially memorable as a design, but it doesn't really communicate anything connected to Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County--it's just a generic city+country scene. Nicole Ray is an excellent illustrator (you can see her work at nicoleray.com), but maybe logo design isn't a strength, or maybe she's just been given too many goals for the design.

By: c bultman

c bultman — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:42:05 +0000

I think the graphic is way too busy to be a logo. This could possibly be the cover of one report but it is far too much to be a logo. So as I considered what an appropriate logo could be I found myself thinking about the day I asked Mr. Ezekiel if he knew who Ebenezer Howard was. He answered, “No.” Ebenezer Howard was a stenographer from England who was dissatisfied with the living conditions of the late 1800’s and considered a better way to build small cities. He wrote about it in his book, ‘Garden Cities of To-morrow’ (originally titled To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform). This is where the idea of a greenbelt comes from! This is the only book Howard ever published and somewhere along the line he was knighted for his work. Now I know full well that the forces behind establishing a greenbelt today and those that influenced the establishment of greenbelts at the turn of the last century are different, but I think this discussion could include a little history. And while I am at it Howard had some graphics that went along with his thinking. [link] [link] [link]

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:46:42 +0000

I agree with Tom Bloomer (who was both present and absent, quite a quantum achievement) that the design is too busy. I also don’t like the way it portrays the city as rather soulless and distant. We are not really just a city of towers separated from real life by a broad highway.

By: Dan Ezekiel

Dan Ezekiel — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:22:51 +0000

I’d be interested to know what people think about the “branding” image (first image in the story).