I have no idea who designed it, but it’s as if the individual used his/her IBM Selectric to lay it out. It’s terrible… but also cool, because it’s so bad. Instantly recognizable. In fact, I’d like a shirt with the logo on it!
Other nominations? Special points for very well-known logos that are hideous.
The NJ Turnpike logo is OLD, as old as the Turnpike. I don’t think it’s ever been changed since day one. All the logos from that era were simple, not artistic. Esso gasoline was just the word Esso in an oval, for instance.
Sure they could update it but the Turnpike Authority is not a corporation with image issues nor does it need to show it’s hip or modern. If you need to get from point A to point B and the Turnpike is the best way, you will take it. No competition except for the local roads.
The Turnpike logo is genius compared to the Parkway logo. At least the Turnpike one has a distinctive shape and some contrast. It’s really hard for people to find the Parkway signs at night or in poor visibility conditions, especially if you’re not used to it. It’s just a round smoosh. It doesn’t stand out from all the other round signs out there. And the arrow pointing you toward the Parkway (usually on a smaller square sign right below it) is the same green and yellow, so it can be really hard to figure out which way to turn.
There’s the infamous OGC logo from Britain that caused some embarrassment a while back. Especially bad since they put it on things like coffecups sideways.
My close friend works for the design agency that actually designed that logo. Now, whenever they produce a new logo, they have to run it through the “OGC test”.
Great embarrassment for them, much hilarity for the rest of the London design profession.