Planning the 2016 Chachi Set - Part One

1970 Topps #486

1971 Topps #77

1972 Topps #43

1978 Topps #715

The 2016 Chachi Set Planning Committee is meeting much earlier this year than in normal years, given that we've all just about had it with the 2015 edition of these Philadelphia Phillies and we're already daydreaming about 2016.  As we've done a few years in the past, we've decided to share our thought process with you, those dozens of (tens of? few?) Chachi set fans who eagerly await the announcement of the next year's design each August or September.

I still have quite a few Topps baseball card designs to choose from between the years of 1970 and 1989, and I haven't yet reached that point where I'm willing to entertain set designs from 1990 onwards.  The Planning Committee and I have our favorites among the remaining designs, but I wanted to seek input from others as to the 2016 set's design.

This is part one of a three-part post, first looking at the Topps baseball card designs from 1970 to 1979.  Please leave a comment, share with others and let us know what you think!

1970 Topps - This is in my personal top four.  It's a simple design, easy enough for me to replicate given my basic knowledge of graphic design software.  (Even though I don't think I have the cursive font matched up exactly right on the prototype I'm working on.)  But it might be a little too simple, or perhaps a little too bland?

1971 Topps - This design really intrigues me as well, and I'm come very close to using it in the past.  I'm motivated to use this design for a set before Topps gets to it in 2020 for its Topps Heritage set.

1972 Topps - I love this set and I love this design, but I have no interest in using the design for a Chachi set.  I like to customize the designs for cards for my kids and special occasions, and this very unique design doesn't really lend itself to much customization.  (Unless you're this guy, who has way more talent than I do.)

1973 Topps - Design already used for the 2013 Chachi set.

1974 Topps - Design already used for the 2010 Chachi set.

1975 Topps - Design already used for the 2005 Chachi set.

1976 Topps - Design already used for the 2007 Chachi set.

1977 Topps - Design already used for the 2008 Chachi set.

1978 Topps - I've definitely threatened to use this design in the past, but similar to the 1972 Topps set, I fear I couldn't pull it off.  The script font for the team names is troublesome and although most post-1978 expansion team names are now available (with the exception of the Marlins), I wouldn't be able to customize the cards for my kids.  This is a minor hurdle to get over, which also places this set's design in my personal top four.

1979 Topps - Design already used for the 2012 Chachi set.

Of the designs remaining between 1970 and 1979, the realistic candidates are 1971 and 1978, with 1970 in there as a possibility.  I'll have a post up soon looking at the Topps baseball card designs from 1980 to 1989.