Murtaugh image

The Murtaugh Effect

topdogStories

Old School Designer (OSD): “Let’s have a look at your portfolio.”

Young Designer (YD): “Here is a package design for tampons.”

OSD: “You don’t see that in a student portfolio every day. Well… It’s a good daring design! There’s some great things going on here: Creative spacing; unique font usage; striking color choices. However, I will say it doesn’t strike me as very feminine.”

YD: “Exactly. I designed it to be gender neutral.”

OSD: “Uh… Gender neutral. For tampons?”

YD: “Yes. Because females aren’t the only ones who menstruate.”

OSD: Blinks. Stares for second or two. Blinks again.

About the Author

topdog

Topdog is Steve Merryman, a graphic designer (retired), and illustrator. Living in the woods, Steve can often be found working on portrait commissions. In his spare time he paints, writes, shoots guns, cuts trees, hikes with his dogs, savors a beer or two, and searches for the perfect cheeseburger. He studiously avoids social media and is occasionally without pants.

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