Brand New’s Best & Worst of 2009

So, the Under Consideration off-shoot, Brand New, has posted their Best and Worst Identities of 2009. I have to admit, I was surprised to see AOL coming in at the top of the list for best rebrand, though upon reading the reasoning for it, I can appreciate it a bit more.

The list is pretty solid on both sides. My favorites from the "best" section are probably Syfy, The New York Public Library, Nickelodeon, and (funnily enough) My Little Pony. I'm also partial to El Banco Deuno.

From the "worst" list, I'm on board with most. I never particularly cared for the Art Director's Club logo, but it's also kind of iconic at this point. Changing it to something so un-unique and... pink? I don't get the thought process there. The only one I'm somewhat iffy on is the one for Yale University Press. I didn't much care for the old logo and there's nothing wrong with the new one - which they pretty much say on their explanation on the site. I just don't get why it would be listed under worst of the year if the only reason is that they're sad to see the other one go. Duane Reade is conspicuously missing - or maybe it was 2008 and missed the cut off? They should have made an exception.