Just for Fun - BAD design

I used to work for a local women's magazine that was a cross between "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Dukes of Hazard." The last issue before I finally left, the publisher and her husband, who ran the magazine, encouraged a local photographer to submit one of his photos for the cover. Probably the only cool aspect of the magazine is that the covers are essentially showcases for local artists.

That is until ..

The publisher decided it didn't represent the magazine.

The original photo was a well-dressed mannequin behind a storefront window in New York. You could see the neon lights from a sign reflected off the glass and the cityscape in the background. The photo was pretty decent. And for this magazine, it was actually kind of edgy. The magazine heads are notorious clipart lovers. So, I was actually psyched to see something even slightly progressive grace the pages of their over-sized tabloid.

The senior graphic designer cut the mannequin out and applied various backdrops. One incarnation was a mass of neon pink and purple flowers. This cover is what they finally opted for - pixelated palmetto fronds (or what they think are palmetto fronds).

When the senior graphic designer showed the photographer the final product, several heated phone calls ensued. "This will not ruin your career," the graphic designer pleaded.

I'm not sure why the photographer just didn't pull the image from the magazine's publication. Obviously, he was unhappy with how his work was portrayed (and rightfully so).