NAPA, Miller Auto Parts, Howell Auto Parts, all parts stores owned by local people, well before corporate chains like Auto Zone and O-Reilly came in. But as a visual person, I was really drawn to all the signs, posters, hats, graphics and especially the stickers. It was the late 70s but there were still examples of these incredible designs everywhere, on windows, back windows of vehicles, toolboxes, and they were glorious.

One of the things I remember is a set of stickers produced by the Topps Company called Wacky Packages. These stickers parodied well-known consumer brands, and although I probably only bought a few, they circulated around the school playground, were plastered to notebooks and in the backs of school yearbooks.

Thinking about the exquisite lettering and design of one of Las Vegas’ greatest sign designers.

I’m a few months late writing about this, but I’m grateful to finally learn about writer and brand strategist Alina Wheeler after her passing last December. Author of the book Designing Brand Identity, first published in 2003, which highlighted the vital relationship between strategy and design. I ordered the book soon after reading her obituary and several condolences by designers and creatives I admire.

I discovered this incredibly interesting mural artist today, John Cerney, who paints large scale cut-out figures along roadsides in California and the Midwest. His subjects range from well-known pop icons like James Dean, Elvis Presley, Area 51 aliens and others to American farmers and fruit pickers going about their normal everyday work. John’s website is www.johncerneymurals.com.