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Keep Portland Weird

Contributed by D Jones on Aug 3rd, 2024. Artwork published in
circa 2003
.
Keep Portland Weird 1
Source: en.wikipedia.org Tom Webster https://www.flickr.com/people/87296837@N00. License: CC BY.

Portland’s unofficial slogan “Keep Portland Weird” appears in a few different styles and formats, but most commonly using Ad Lib, or lettering based on Ad Lib, and in yellow on black.

The original two-line slogan, on the side of Millennium Music, has “Weird” being based on Ad Lib (the E and D especially), and “Keep Portland” in a somewhat generic signwriter’s sans serif. The later and more popular one-line version is a little closer to Ad Lib throughout.

The slogan is an obvious opportunity for a variety of fan art and merchandising, much of which still retains Ad Lib, and often Antique Olive.

Brian Kidd who wants to Make Portland Weird (Again), on a T-shirt. This time it’s Ad Lib, with what looks like squeezed .
Source: www.koin.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Brian Kidd who wants to Make Portland Weird (Again), on a T-shirt. This time it’s Ad Lib, with what looks like squeezed House Brush.

Apparently the site of the original “Keep Portland Weird” slogan: Music Millennium.
Source: thepointsguy.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Apparently the site of the original “Keep Portland Weird” slogan: Music Millennium.

In the spirit of the original two-line slogan, Antique Olive for “Keep Portland” and Ad Lib for “Weird”, with the motif repeated in a few different colour ways.
Source: www.deviantart.com License: All Rights Reserved.

In the spirit of the original two-line slogan, Antique Olive for “Keep Portland” and Ad Lib for “Weird”, with the motif repeated in a few different colour ways.

Bumper Sticker design, again with Antique Olive and Ad Lib
Source: madeinoregon.com License: All Rights Reserved.

Bumper Sticker design, again with Antique Olive and Ad Lib

Typefaces

  • Ad Lib
  • Antique Olive
  • House Brush

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3 Comments on “Keep Portland Weird”

  1. With Donald Trump earning the WEIRD label in this year’s accelerating presidential race, it’s maybe time for Portland to reconsider their slogan – PROTECT PORTLAND FROM WEIRDNESS

  2. I’m pretty sure that David’s contribution was at least in part spurred by that specific recent use of the word. Over on Mastodon, he advocated for keeping “weird” weird, in response to Caren worrying about the word suddenly taking on all of this extra baggage, when it’s actually a lovable one.

  3. Exactly right, Florian :)

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