Trust signals can't be overstated for sure. If they've got any notable users or even a 'Featured in' section with some media logos, that could help big time with credibility. Saw it missing on a lot of pages and seems like a missed opportunity. Hoping they've got something like that …
Y'all should know that a lot of thought goes into the design of currency to prevent counterfeiting. The 'hidden' symbols? They're not so much secret messages as they are intricate patterns that are really hard to replicate precisely. That's why there's all those fine lines and complex illustrations.
Graphic designer here! Many logos, especially ones from the 80s, are packed with experimental designs that defied the norms of their time. But the MTV logo? It's a masterpiece of anarchic style, probably not a code, just cutting-edge creativity meant to attract the youth and represent rebellion. To read anything …
Couldn't agree more, this type of thing drives me nuts! I've seen some real disasters in my time as a designer. It's just lazy.