“Bell Intruder Alarms” burglar alarm, Great Missenden • A prime example of that popular burglar alarm trope the “awkward diagonal logo”, generally prompted by vertical boxes too narrow for a lengthy name. Here the plucky designer has managed to squeeze a basic bell into one corner, but could alternatively have tried that other popular burglar alarm trope, the unexplained acronym – which would be BIA in this case. The digitally compressed type may suggest this is a post-DTP (ie post-1990-ish) piece of artwork; however 1980s photo-typesetters used to be able to squish up type too, which would be more in keeping with the vintage of the box. Note to budding designers: digitally squished type is never a good look, no matter how it is achieved. • Spotted: Town centre, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16, England, 2007 • Politics: In the Conservative constituency of Chesham and Amersham
