Here is what I dont understand.
As a designer, you know how the final design is going to turn out, mainly because you are the person who would have access to it. So, if you are starting from scratch, and sticker autos are going to be a part of your limitations, why would you do what Panini has been doing all year?
Instead of using a background and picture combination that is light colored enough to display a signature in stark contrast, they have decided to use the dreaded big white box. It has made cameo appearances in almost every product they have put out and will put out this year, and I dont think they see how incredibly awful it looks. NOTE: Now that they have released a large gallery of images from Crown Royale, the big white box looks to be on track for a tour de force!
2011 Absolute Clay Mathews Auto Jersey – Just slap it over the player why dont you?
2011 Absolute Michael Vick Auto Jersey
In fact, it made a set like Elite go from one of the most successful sets of 2010 to one of the most hideous of 2011. When you see how bad some of the insert autos from Absolute look as well, I just start to question whether or not the design team at Panini has any training. Many of the recent previews are flat and unimaginative, something Topps has greatly succeeded with this year. Lots of boxy layouts, lined backgrounds and cropped player pictures are boring, and yet, Panini has used them ad nauseum.
I would even go so far as saying that Panini has given up on football. They have overpaid for the NBA, MLBPA and NHL licenses, per a number of sources I trust, and with the NFL up at the end of this year, they may not care. Even if that is not their actual feelings, it sure seems like it.
Do I want an exclusive NFL license for Topps? Absolute-ly not. These cards may suck, but Panini always deserves their chance to improve. Not only that, just the presence of a competitor drives new hotness, unless you are Panini. Then you just sit on your laurels and hope your sales dont tank too badly.