Brian Baylis wrote:
>
(snip)
> So I guess I'm saying that what makes a frame what it is, is in fact the
> craftsman and not the bits and decals.
"Slight disagreement here Brian," (said as the graphic designer in the crowd raised his hand timidly).
The decals are of secondary importance in a frame to be sure, however I feel they provide a real insight into the taste and level of esthetics of a frame builder. The graphics tell me as much about a builder as the style of joining the seat stays to the seat lug or the type of fork crown he uses. The refinement of the logo design can even be an indication of the number of years the frame builder has been practicing his craft and his expertise.
Probably the best example of what I would consider a poor design is Tom Ritchey's decals. The decals look like each was designed by a different person; no harmony exists. Plus the letters themselves are very clumsily drawn; almost a naive, self taught look to the rendering of the letters. Of course, some would be drawn to this naive look of the graphics that I am critical of. To each his own.
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, California