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2388
2389

My thoughts exactly, this trend needs to die. (imgur.com)

submitted ago by Rebound

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[–]mattattaxx 125 points126 points ago

These are a classic example of a cool aesthetic that got big and was subsequently brutally murdered because of oversaturation. Most of the posters you see now don't even play with the meaning of the original poster, they simply replace the second last word with something trite and awful.

[–]BlackbeltJones 28 points29 points ago

see: Rotten eCards

[–]bodaciousbilly 23 points24 points ago

Ecards are the worst.

[–]HardwareLust 8 points9 points ago

Much like these posters, eCards are starting to die out. Finally.

[–]bodaciousbilly 7 points8 points ago

Only because they were banned from /r/funny. They're thriving in their own subreddit.

[–]HardwareLust 1 point2 points ago

I was thinking in general. Used to see them all over the place on pinterest, too, but they're getting fewer and farther between these days.

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

Honestly, when someecards first made them, they were awesome. Then they allowed customization and they're horrible.

[–]HardwareLust 0 points1 point ago

As with any meme, there's a few good ones, and a lot of really bad ones.

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

The worst thing about someecards memes is that the original ones all followed a specific humour, the homemade ones didn't. It diluted the effectiveness of the cards.

[–]alatare 1 point2 points ago

I'm subscribed,i find a few funny ones every now and again, but most boil down to be insults from egomaniacs

[–]bodaciousbilly 0 points1 point ago

I'd read them and think "This isn't really funny. You're just an asshole."

[–]haleym 1 point2 points ago

see: the internet

[–]jsbisviewtiful 46 points47 points ago

Seen a Big Bang Theory (blech) shirt that reads "Keep calm and bazinga."

Seriously?

[–]thedddronald 7 points8 points ago

I saw a tee-shirt the other day that said "keep calm and - bacon om nom nom." That's the last time I walk into a fucking newbury comics.

[–]DuckingTape 7 points8 points ago

What was the original meaning? I never realy got those.

[–]dorkiness 20 points21 points ago

It was an English WW2 poster

[–]DuckingTape 1 point2 points ago

Ah, thank you. :)

[–]mattattaxx 6 points7 points ago

They were propaganda posters that were to be released in England and Colonies (notably Canada) if Germany had reached invading territory of the Islands.

I don't think they were ever put up, though.

[–]Lite-Black 0 points1 point ago

They weren't, as they never invaded. I find it astounding that people are replicating this design regardless of the slightly morbid origin. I thought the posters were originally designed to instruct civilians not to resist the invaders, and to carry on with their lives. Its much more entertaining to read the parodies as delusional reinterpretations of defeatist propaganda, than lazy trend following design choices.

[–]mattattaxx 1 point2 points ago

I think it was instruction to keep the "british" ideal that you keep going no matter what, not so much don't resist, but don't allow them to change you. Keep Calm is referring to their state of mind, and Carry On refers to continuing their way of life and not letting the impending doom get to you.

[–]Iron_tiger_of_flames 0 points1 point ago

I didn't know this. The poster is still whored so much, I don't even know why, it's just boring and comes of as some D-list meme.

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

Most people either don't see it as a meme, but a cool design idea, or they want to cash in on the popularity.

[–]slow56k 5 points6 points ago

I dislike these less than the [underground/subway/good on them] posters that were circulating earlier this year.

[–]mattattaxx 7 points8 points ago

Well, they're aesthetically more pleasing. I live in Canada and you have no idea how many billboards, restaurants and magazines have these ads in them. In Toronto you can't walk down Queen Street without seeing 3 or 4.

[–]beau-tie 2 points3 points ago

Can somebody find an example of this when it "got big"? I never understood what it's even trying to mean.

[–]tbuds 5 points6 points ago

Seconded. It was originally a WWII propaganda poster but I don't understand why people find it so fascinating. Simplicity of design maybe?

[–]deadwisdom 12 points13 points ago

Oh please, it's a wonderful design. The minimalism, the message, the stark color; it's absolutely brilliant in fact, especially if you have any knowledge of the context of WWII and the Blitz. It's just overdone at this point.

[–]tbuds 3 points4 points ago

I understand the beauty of it, I don't understand the fascination with "ripping" it off. The message isn't that great when changed.

[–]deadwisdom 2 points3 points ago

Ohhh. Yeah, sorry. No idea why it's so heavily satired.

[–]apotcha 7 points8 points ago

The original poster said "Keep Calm and Carry On". I think the trademark expired or something and then it started getting passed around Tumblr. People began to make their own versions cause it was "trendy".

[–]lululaplap 14 points15 points ago

There is now a fucking app to make them. My sister has it...

[–]sensitivePornGuy 12 points13 points ago

It was printed during WWII but never used. They were going to be posted up everywhere if the German army overran Britain.

[–]deadwisdom 1 point2 points ago

It was used as a sort of pro-British graphic used on everything from mugs and key chains to t-shirts for a while (sort of like "I Heart NY", another wildly overused cliche), it then became popular on the internet and beyond. I believe some clothing store started using it on their bags at its height.

[–]mattattaxx 1 point2 points ago

It's a military propaganda poster from England. It was revived recently.

[–]Black-Box 2 points3 points ago

Sounds like Reddit.

[–]mattattaxx 1 point2 points ago

Edgy.

[–]gilben 1 point2 points ago

Welcome to art :), now you know why every artist seems like an elitist cunt to outsiders! You see the same thing soooo many times (I'm looking at you, Mucha impersonator).

[–]mattattaxx -1 points0 points ago

I disagree. It's easy to enjoy and know art without being pretentious. I've done both art and design, and it's a conscious (or subconscious) choice to create a circle of insiders.

I don't think this is the same thing. This is simply an attractive design aesthetic that is easy to exploit, and was marketed based simply on the design. The history was quickly forgotten.

[–]gilben 1 point2 points ago

I'm not necessarily say being an artist makes you pretentious, but it's why artists sometimes seem pretentious (the hipster stereotype). It's because we see the same thing being done over and over and over again and again. It's not just the arts this happens in either, internet memes are a great example most people here can relate to. For example, my aunt was raving about how hilarious "that new internet picture with the girlscout (ermagerd)" is a few days ago.

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, I think it's silly to allow yourself to be so jaded by it and be pretentious. You don't seem pretentious, you either are or you aren't.

[–]gilben 1 point2 points ago

I can't really control being bored by seeing repetitious things, but I do try to keep my mouth shut. For example: how many times can one hear Gagnam Style and still enjoy it? I know I passed that threshold long ago, but I do try to just avoid it instead of complaining.

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

I still like the song and video, but I understand if people are tired of it. I'm saying that there's no reason to role your eyes, instead there are positive, engaging methods of using the situation to build relationships or see another perspective.

[–]alatare 1 point2 points ago

We need some business savvy Redditor to mass produce small stickers of this, so we can do the 'for rectal use only' thing again

[–]Mambodius 0 points1 point ago

Question.

Is this trite and awful? Or am I allowed to still use it?

[–]mattattaxx 0 points1 point ago

You can use whatever you want. It's still pretty uncreative.

I'm not trying to be arbiter of trendy.

[–]Or0ku_Saki -2 points-1 points ago

I'm upvoting because the grammar has the appearance of being Scottish, but that might seem sketchy since there is a bloody crown. Jacobites...

[–]g0_west 0 points1 point ago

These are a classic example of a cool aesthetic that got big and was subsequently brutally murdered because of oversaturation.

See also: reddit.

[–]FlyingOnion 54 points55 points ago

Every fad dies on its own. It'll be replaced by something equally stupid. I don't really see the need to get upset about it.

[–]Ceejae 7 points8 points ago

I would say I wish more people would realise this, but then, the problem isn't that people aren't aware of it. The problem is that its cool to complain about shit. To attempt to be ahead of the curve.

[–]garrygra 12 points13 points ago

I don't know man, it's taken more than 60 years to even saturate the market. Fuck. I just depressed myself.

[–]heaveninherarms 3 points4 points ago

The internet has ruined the natural death of fads. See also: every 4chan meme that reddit obsesses over years after it died on 4chan (advice animals, rage comics, etc)

[–]Chaser892 23 points24 points ago

Saw one yesterday: "Keep Calma, Vote Obama"

Regardless of polital affiliation, that's fricking lame.

[–]Jovai 11 points12 points ago

Please tell me that "calma" was a typo and not a forced rhyme.

[–]nvolker 3 points4 points ago

The one right next to it said "keep calm and vote for Rom"

So clever.

[–]bethyweasley 44 points45 points ago

yeah, this is annoying on par with:
THIS&
THIS&
THIS&
THAT
in helvetica

[–]2O12 22 points23 points ago

It's worse when someone tries to copy it and does it in Arial.

[–]Janus-Marine 17 points18 points ago

I still want one that says Agnes & Agatha & Jermaine & Jack.

[–]Cowbane 2 points3 points ago

I have to admit I would love that shirt. Biz Markie is like a comforting person to me. I'm under the opinion that if you ever think you don't look good enough or don't think you're talented enough then just go look at Biz Markie.

[–]ignitionremix 1 point2 points ago

I hate those shirts, but not as much as I would love that particular shirt.

[–]r_slash 0 points1 point ago

You could wear it to the Albee Square Mall.

[–]jwt653zz 8 points9 points ago

i remember when i had one of those shirts when the idea first came out. i got comments and was cool..now i cant wear it. and im no longer cool

[–]flynnski 7 points8 points ago

I missed that one. What's up with it?

[–]Rebound[S] 4 points5 points ago

It's a Wu Tang shirt design that got popular

[–]devolute 1 point2 points ago

Another shirt that now seems to be worn exclusively by scumbags.

[–]photojacker 27 points28 points ago

My own humble contribution

[–]kirstead 1 point2 points ago

This is the only one I've enjoyed so far.

[–]nyuncat 2 points3 points ago

I would love to have that framed on my wall. Even if people didn't get the joke out of context it would be fantastic.

[–]noelster 294 points295 points ago

Ironically I hadn't seen one of these fucking things in months, until some cunt came along and complained about them. :)

[–]davidvstheworldFormally Educated Designer 29 points30 points ago

Irony is a bitch.

[–]Shorthoplaser 33 points34 points ago

As is Susan.

That bitch.

[–]Battletooth 16 points17 points ago

I know a Susan. She is my dog and is indeed a bitch.

[–]Doctor_Kitten 2 points3 points ago

You named your dog Susan? That's cute; an animal with a human moniker.

[–]OlmecsTempleGuard 3 points4 points ago

A friend give his pets the most human names he can think of. His dogs have been named Kevin, Gregory and Edward.

[–]TheLoveKraken 2 points3 points ago

I have a fish called Jimmy.

[–]jthei 1 point2 points ago

Jim the Fish?

[–]JMaboard 2 points3 points ago

He's met the Doctor and River.

[–]steeltoedsneakers 0 points1 point ago

Jimmy Whales

[–]thecritic06 0 points1 point ago

Now then now then. I trust you're not British.

[–]mpmcfarlane 0 points1 point ago

Clearly the worst housewife. They should have killed her instead of Edie.

[–]dknox1 0 points1 point ago

hahahah Classic Susan.

[–]vbl 5 points6 points ago

Said everyone on reddit about everything posted on reddit.

[–]Actually_Doesnt_Care 3 points4 points ago

My senior highschool shirt (Which I got today) has this design. :|

[–]Venjamin 7 points8 points ago

Months? I envy your perspective of time.

[–]hal2000 1 point2 points ago

Streisand Effect.

[–]noelster 0 points1 point ago

Wow I didn't know that was a thing, thanks!

[–]trampus1 1 point2 points ago

Check out /r/battlestations and you'll see plenty of them.

[–]actualscientist 1 point2 points ago

Looking there I only see one. The original one.

[–]stevenorr 0 points1 point ago

Which was the original one? To be honest, I have no idea. Was it the Dexter variation?

[–]actualscientist 3 points4 points ago

The 1939 version has been a bit of a cult hit since its rediscovery in 2000, but the rewordings have been somewhat more recent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On

[–]haveigotaboxforyou 25 points26 points ago

Haha, I made one last year that said something like "KEEP CALM AND DESIGN YOUR OWN FUCKING POSTERS".

I love propaganda, and I'd love to have a print of the original on my wall - but this one has been ruined for me now :(

I'll have to stick to incredibly racist japanese ones instead

[–]Snakebyt3 7 points8 points ago

I made the mistake of buying one without really looking. Now that I have it it's really blatantly obviously a knock off - the kerning is all to shit and the crown looks like a horrible live trace.

[–]haveigotaboxforyou 0 points1 point ago

haha, worst nightmare!

[–]Contero 1 point2 points ago

He doesn't even look happy

[–]TheRealMcSomething 17 points18 points ago

...and so does the trend of complaining about them. 90% of my exposure to Keep Calm posters is someone moaning about them online. Let them die quietly.

[–]nickells 89 points90 points ago

I made this once. I still think it's funny.

[–]mehatch 2 points3 points ago

i miss Gradual_BillCosby

[–]sweetbaconflipbro 15 points16 points ago

It is.

[–]Zepheus 10 points11 points ago

Get that over to /r/billcosbyproblems stat!

[–]SirRealle 0 points1 point ago

Holy shit there's a Bill Cosby Problems subreddit...

[–]vivalakellye 2 points3 points ago

I personally find my "Sit Down and Go Poop" poster (designed in the style of KC&CO) absolutely hilarious. I believe a Redditor created it so his girlfriend had something to hang in her bathroom.

[–]Jovai 3 points4 points ago

Gentlemen, this is how you do a decent parody of this. If only the rest of the world knew.

[–]coxy88 -1 points0 points ago

Hilarious!

load more comments (1 reply)

    [–]tomzo 11 points12 points ago

    Calm the fuck down.

    [–]BricksThinking 5 points6 points ago

    "...the greatest insult an enemy can suffer - to be ignored" - Warlord Okeer:

    [–]Claude_Garamond 4 points5 points ago

    They remind me of stacked lowercase helvetica posters with terrible tracking and just scream TYPOGRAPHY101!

    [–]slddngwthtgrs 3 points4 points ago

    I made this for you: http://i.imgur.com/NfW87.jpg

    [–]lightstrike 5 points6 points ago

    That doesn't seem very calm really.

    [–]4realthistime 8 points9 points ago

    Don't ever visit the chive...

    [–]alphabeat -2 points-1 points ago

    KCCO LOL

    [–]MyNameCouldntBeAsLon 7 points8 points ago

    I've seen these a million times. Which one was the original that caused the avalanche of copycats? What was so great about it?

    edit: nvm it's this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Calm_and_Carry_On

    [–]Pryach 7 points8 points ago

    So that was the original, but it's 70 years old. Did something spawn the recent craze?

    [–]symbiotiq 13 points14 points ago

    It was recently rediscovered. There was a short documentary on them a while ago; one was found in the back of a bookshop, they put it on display, people got really excited about it.

    [–]baconnaise17 4 points5 points ago

    The bookshop is in my hometown. Minor claim to fame!

    [–]LoopyLine 0 points1 point ago

    theChive is probably responsible

    [–]ThatOtherGai 4 points5 points ago

    So many dip shits I know on facebook have these as their profile pics.

    [–]asldkfououhe 2 points3 points ago

    i like it because it has a sexist slur

    [–]Rebound[S] 0 points1 point ago

    Come on man, really?

    [–]witchbutter 2 points3 points ago

    Got poster?

    [–]r_slash 1 point2 points ago

    At least "Keep calm" has replaced "Got ___?" as the most ubiquitous super lazy slogan writing template.

    [–]CaptainYoshi 2 points3 points ago

    OP just called himself a cunt.

    I kind of agree.

    [–]shoseki 2 points3 points ago

    Keep calm and take a laxative, this shit will pass.

    [–]AFewSecondsAgoDouche 2 points3 points ago

    I see these occasionally still from companies on FB who think they're fucking brilliant.

    "Keep Calm and Buy A Mountain Dew!" or similar. Fuck them right in their fucking faces for this shit.

    [–]ramp_tram 2 points3 points ago

    Saw one of these at the super market that said "KEEP CALM AND BUY MORE TETLEY TEA."

    I threw it on the ground.

    [–]MugatusDog 1 point2 points ago

    I hate this trend more than "swag" but not as much as "yolo"

    [–]SirDerpingtonThe3rd 1 point2 points ago

    This was the shirt made when the girl, Mickey Shunick, was abducted and murdered. A girl has gone missing and is likely dead and the shirt you're making to publicize it is a god damn trite ripped off poster? FFS.

    [–]JewhammadAli 2 points3 points ago

    Is this what /r/design is about?

    Come on people.

    [–]Chiveronreddit 2 points3 points ago

    Here i made one for you: http://imgur.com/5pbEC

    [–]mama_llama 14 points15 points ago

    It needs some more jpeg.

    [–]Rebound[S] -1 points0 points ago

    Original Source

    [–]Newkd 28 points29 points ago

    WOW you didn't even make this one yourself?! you're just as unoriginal!

    [–]Rebound[S] 4 points5 points ago

    I actually did make this, that is my tumblr.

    [–]JewhammadAli 6 points7 points ago

    And your title was:

    My thoughts exactly

    ?

    [–]Rebound[S] 0 points1 point ago

    Is that not appropriate? I made it, so it expresses my thoughts literally exactly

    [–]JewhammadAli 8 points9 points ago

    My thoughts exactly

    Usually means you agree with someone.

    So, your reddit-self is agreeing with your tumblr-self.

    Which is funny IMO.

    [–]Rebound[S] 1 point2 points ago

    Yeah fair enough, let's just say I meant that :)

    [–]mama_llama 5 points6 points ago

    Scumbag OP: Calls people unoriginal cunts, is an unoriginal cunt?

    [–]schavira 14 points15 points ago

    Stop speaking like this. Language is not an image macro.

    [–]mehatch 1 point2 points ago

    I kinda like it when people do this, esp. if they don't know how to image macro, etc. I think the jokes have the same or close to the same effect/quality, especially if you already know what that picture is going to look like anyways without seeing it.

    [–]schavira -2 points-1 points ago

    That was a joke?

    [–]mehatch 0 points1 point ago

    ah, damn, my bad, thought u were being serious, was debating in another thread around the same time, may have slipped into a literal mode. my mistake.

    [–]notwhereyouare 2 points3 points ago

    why didn't you link there in the first place?

    [–]Rebound[S] 19 points20 points ago

    People might consider it blogspam, and it's a tad tedious to navigate due to the gif image background

    [–]skookybird 3 points4 points ago

    If that is the original source, it wouldn’t be considered blogspam by any reasonable definition of blogspam.

    ...Though the He-Man is a bit much, yes.

    [–]squidfood 7 points8 points ago

    ...Though the He-Man is a bit much, yes.

    I only clicked on the link because you mentioned this.

    [–]Rebound[S] 3 points4 points ago

    It is my blog though, so it could be considered self promotion for the sake of it when I'd much rather make it easier for people to see the image.

    [–]Anders_H 0 points1 point ago

    MY EYES!

    [–]moebiusuk 1 point2 points ago

    I'm not great at design so I'm not sure if it's just me but that background isn't a solid red colour is it? It's kind of silky, like a little darker in the corners...how do you get that effect?

    [–]hardxstyle 5 points6 points ago

    It's a radial gradient. Use them wisely and sparingly.

    [–]moebiusuk 1 point2 points ago

    Ok cool, thanks!

    [–]Rebound[S] 1 point2 points ago

    It's a linear gradient, I've also added a vignette (elliptical marquee dragged from top left corner to bottom right, then select inverse and fill with black at about 150px feather)

    [–]Dirge37 1 point2 points ago

    That.. Contradicts itself

    [–]reddron 0 points1 point ago

    after THIS one STOP...

    [–][deleted] ago

    [deleted]

    [–]JewhammadAli 1 point2 points ago

    If only.

    [–]HugoM 0 points1 point ago

    Well this is the first derivative I've seen. I don't run into these as often as everyone claims.

    [–]__ohguash 0 points1 point ago

    newbe here. what should I avoid learning? the phrase or the style design?

    [–]lululaplap 0 points1 point ago

    That, and the I heart __ are the worst.

    [–]Aiyon 0 points1 point ago

    Funnily enough, you're one of those cunts now.

    [–]guns_of_navarone 0 points1 point ago

    I think you need to just plain old keep calm

    [–]MoreSteakLessFanta 0 points1 point ago

    origin?

    [–]protomd 0 points1 point ago

    Amen brother.

    [–]panamaquina 0 points1 point ago

    This is not really a design trend, definitely more of a meme, there 's probably an app that makes em '

    [–]haunchu 0 points1 point ago

    Heard dat!

    [–]Minor-Threat 0 points1 point ago

    What are these posters? The original says something like "keep calm and carry on" or something, correct? Where did they originate? Im starting to feel old...

    [–]mchandleraz 0 points1 point ago

    Where can I buy a poster sized print of this?!

    [–]carouselderby 0 points1 point ago

    I completely agree. Unfortunately our senior shirt designs were all terrible and "Keep calm and graduate" was the best of the worst.

    [–]Anchupom 0 points1 point ago

    A couple of them are genuinely funny, like "Keep korma and curry on", but for the most part I agree.

    [–]ListenToCds 0 points1 point ago

    The originals were sold like crazy in tourist shops in London.

    [–]NovJuliet 1 point2 points ago

    Apply this to 97% of reddit shit

    [–]Joe_the_BarbarianKEEP CALM AND AVOID CLICHÉS 1 point2 points ago

    I knew my flair was relevant.

    [–]marker20 1 point2 points ago

    Why don't you make something original instead

    [–]Penisingpenisberry 0 points1 point ago

    OP, did you ever read Don Quixote?

    [–]sayrith 0 points1 point ago

        DO YOU GUYS

   **EVEN KNOW**

    THE HISTORY

 OF THESE POSTERS?

    [–]cameltoesback 0 points1 point ago

    tumblr

    [–]artfulpain 0 points1 point ago

    Needs a ribbon as well.

    [–]NightGolfer 0 points1 point ago

    I'm making this into a poster.

    [–]KamikazeSexPilot 0 points1 point ago

    This is like the I <3 NY t-shirts. the only good one was I <3 BJ

    [–]time_master 0 points1 point ago

    Am I the only one irked that the designer didn't use the correct typeface for the poster?

    Gill Sans people. If you're going to parody the poster, at least get this part right.

    [–]SMTRodent 1 point2 points ago

    Eh. You know full well that a few years from now people will studiously pretend they never had anything to do with these posters. Just like brown-and-orange wallpaper, flares, big shoulder pads, mullets, shell suits, neon tube socks and whatever the fuck was in at the turn of the millennium (which was when I turned old and stopped keeping track).

    [–]dimadelux -1 points0 points ago

    Hey man I want this on a shirt

    [–]sriedel014 2 points3 points ago

    Say's trend needs to die, Continues trend.

    [–]nodozhero -2 points-1 points ago

    I would actually buy a print of this (if it was cheap)

    [–]balatik -3 points-2 points ago

    using slurs doesn't make it edgier.

    [–]Rebound[S] 2 points3 points ago

    But I didn't swear at all?

    *NB: I am Australian.

    [–]Mercedes383 4 points5 points ago

    He could be Australian or New Zealander.

    [–]TheLoveKraken 3 points4 points ago

    Here in Scotland it's a synonym for person.

    load more comments (1 reply)

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