Project: Branding The IHA
83 CommentsIHA. Get used to that acronym. It'll be sticking around Icethetics for quite some time. No, it's not the Icethetics Hockey Association (I wish), it's the International Hockey Association.
WHAT IS IT?
The IHA is a fantasy hockey league that exists only in cyberspace created by an Icethetics reader named Nicolas. I'm collaborating with him to get logos designed by you guys for his league. We'll get into more details of what's involved with this league at some point in the future. But right now, what you need to know is that it has 30 teams, each with a name and color scheme chosen by its "hometown fans" — but no logo.
The assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to design logos for these teams — if for no other reason than as an exercise in graphic design. This will be a cool project, something to have fun with. Challenge yourself! Do something different!
The IHA is structured like the NHL with two conferences made up of three divisions each. And each division includes five teams. Over the next several weeks, I'll be unveiling the team names one division at a time along with their colors. I'd do it all at once but I don't want to overwhelm anybody.
YOUR JOB!
Today I'm unveiling the first five teams — the Atlantic Division. You can pick one team and focus all of your creative energy on it — or you can try your hand at all five! But it's not as simple as one logo per team. You're creating an identity from scratch!
You need to design a primary logo (usually the jersey crest), a secondary logo (usually the shoulder patches), and a wordmark for use in promotional materials. You may design additional logos to be included in the package but you must have at least these three: primary, secondary and wordmark.
There really aren't any restrictions on you aside from team name and colors as far as the designs go. The "fans" chose those and you need to stick with them. But you do need to give them a unique identity. I'm not going to list ideas because I don't want to taint anyone's creativity.
Without further ado, let the games begin...
IHA: ATLANTIC DIVISION
ATLANTA FIRE / Atlanta, Georgia
orange (E68700), red (A81212) and charcoal (202020)
NEW YORK AMERICANS / New York, New York
red (C80231), blue (131B87) and white (F0F0F0)
PHILADELPHIA TITANS / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
gold (CF9B1F), teal (27577B) and white (F0F0F0)
PITTSBURGH MINERS / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
steel (999999), yellow (D9BB13) and black (202020)
WASHINGTON STARS / Washington, D.C.
blue (30316C), red (980404) and white (F0F0F0)
I've supplied colors in hexadecimal format. Should you need RGB conversion, here's a decent resource. By the way, you aren't tied to the exact colors here. Feel free to alter them a little if need be. But please shy away from the standard colors like total black or total white or total red. Remember, be different! As similar as it is to the NHL, it's not the NHL!
GUIDELINES
To sum up, follow these guidelines when submitting IHA artwork:
- Submit three (3) logos: primary, secondary and wordmark. Use a white background. If your logo requires a white outline (think Lightning or Capitals), then use a gray background with the white outline included.
- Submit vector art if possible. I will accept .ai, .psd and .pdf files. If you cannot submit vector art, you must be able to provide high quality raster art in .jpg or .png files. No .bmp files, please.
- Try to stick to the assigned colors. Change them only if you deem it necessary and then explain why you made the change. Remember, the "fans" chose these colors and they're who you're working for in the end.
- Email them to nhllogos@gmail.com with IHA in the subject line. Please include your first and last name (it will not be posted). Please also submit your nickname which will be public if you don't want your real first name used.
- By submitting your own original artwork to the email address above, you agree to grant permission of its use for online or print publication by Icethetics. Do not watermark your logos or they will not be considered.
- And finally, be prepared to accept feedback and criticism of all kinds!
It may seem like I'm asking a lot and while I am looking for highly-talented artists here, don't be discouraged if you feel you don't fit that category. If you have a good idea that you can't translate into a good graphic on your own, submit it anyway as best you can and it's possible someone more skilled might be able to give it a boost.
I'm sure a lot of you still have questions as well. Post them in the comments area. I'll be monitoring that so I can get all your questions answered. One question I know will be when will I announce the next division? It depends on the response I get for this one. If a lot of folks submit art, it'll be sooner rather than later.
Having said that, get to work and be creative! Put some real effort in! Start designing your logos getting them submitted. I can't wait to see them and show them off!
Reader Comments (83)
Do we need to do uniforms?
omg this is amazing, im sooooo doing all of the teams
Do we need to do uniforms?
Not necessary, but it'll probably be something I'll seek out in the future. If you want to do it at the same time you make the logo, go for it!
The colors schemes aren't very original (e.g. ATL Flames, NYR, WSH, PIT), and the division alignments seem incredibly odd, but I really like the whole concept.
The colors schemes aren't very original (e.g. ATL Flames, NYR, WSH, PIT)
Feel free to adapt the colors as you like. It's not written in stone, merely a jumping off point.
So....this is a fantasy league? I don't understand how it will work. Does one person control each team or what? and are u using NHL players...
So....this is a fantasy league? I don't understand how it will work. Does one person control each team or what? and are u using NHL players...
Those are details that will be addressed later and, quite frankly, are irrelevant to this project. For now, we're just designing team logos.
This is gonna be SO cool!!!
I'm no graphic designer or anything, but it's still going to be cool to see what people come up with. The Titans and Fire are going to be the coolest to see what will happen.
If it's the INTERNATIONAL Hockey Association, is there going to be teams from different countries?
This is a great idea Chris.
I'll participate as much as I can!
Any particular reason the New York, Pittsburgh, and Washington teams have colours just like their real life teams, but Philly and Atlanta don't?
(and of course, props on the great idea)
Please, for the love of God, give Connecticut a team.
If the Whalers can't exist in real life, at least they can exist in a fictional, online ice hockey league.
soo the new york americans is one of the worst names every created.
*ever
Wow somthing so new and diffrent. and i can have fun. Only this for me is that im not so good at word marks. can i still make somthing but miss the word mark to be part?
Im so glad i joind this site when i did!
bruinbxr5791 said: If it's the INTERNATIONAL Hockey Association, is there going to be teams from different countries?
ya...there's probably gonna be a team from CANADA!!!
So, um.... You do realize that the New York Americans existed before, right!?!?! They were actually the first NHL team in New York, and played in Madison Square Garden, a year before the Rangers even existed! They folded in 1942, giving birth to the "Original Six" era, lasting for the next 25 years...
I've always been a bit partial to the name Empire for a New York team, especially with a black and silver scheme.
So this will just be different names for NHL teams. Kind of dissapoints me being from Alaska
ive already got rough drafts for the fire and titans
Fun idea.
soo the new york americans is one of the worst names ever created.
haha so are the Montreal Canadians and the Vancouver Canucks.
what we're doing is cool, but the names are all wrong... why are we just making new teams for cities that already have NHL teams, and like others have said, this isn't an International hockey league if it only has American, and maybe some Canadian teams in it. for the love of all that is good, expand your geographical outlook.
Let's stop complaining about the league. This is about design and identity and it's an awesome idea.
PS. someday we should try rebranding the KHL in russia...THAT would be fun.
Being a Thrashers' fan... I'm kind of disappointed on the Atlanta name. It's terribly WNBA.
To CRYOREX:
It's so reminiscent of the Atlanta Flames. Would you rather it be Atlanta Fires?
Someone was complaining about the colour schemes. Of course teams named the New York Americans and the Washingotn Stars are going to have blue and red. And a Pittsburgh team would be a disgrace to the city if they didn't have black and yellow.
Lot of complaints overnight. Some of you make me laugh sometimes. Think of it like this: You work for a design firm hired by the team. The "fans" chose the name and colors! So what if they're "unoriginal" in your mind? That part's not your decision. (Imagine how they must've felt about the name Blue Jackets! Only problem was they came up with was a bug!)
To borrow an old, perhaps annoying, adage, you're saddled with lemons. You can either squirt them in your eye (ouch) or make a delicious drink. Or you could just ignore this project altogether if you don't like it.
You guys need a challenge here. I'm all for redesigning NHL logos, but at some point, everybody's artwork starts looking the same. This project is meant as a way of coming up with an original idea and following through on it.
And as far as the word "international" goes, it's still a North American league — but so was the International Hockey League back in the day. (Go Solar Bears!)
So, whine about it if you want to, but that won't get your creative juices flowing. Be different!
Actually, Chris... I think this is a great idea. I just didn't like the Americans name because an NHL team existed by that name. I've been looking at the artwork on this site for quite awhile, and thoroughly enjoy it. I must admit that I have no artistic talents to speak of, but I do have a bunch of ideas for NHL stuff and other fictional hockey teams of my own creation.
In addition, I've also dealt with fictional leagues. I have a sickening habit of taking out all of the teams in the NFL and creating my own league with each new addition of Madden... (Again, my only outlet as I have no real disernable artistic talent.)
Oh, and Atlanta has always seemed to me to be a hard place for nicknames as does L.A. (Oddly enough!)h
"I have a sickening habit of taking out all of the teams in the NFL and creating my own league with each new addition of Madden..."
wow i do exactly the same thing! in madden and NHL 08. i love coming up with team names and uniforms and stuff in both of those games.
Washington Stars? Really? If this is not the NHL, is it that difficult not to use NHL nicknames?
hey chris do you know a site where i can make a logo for free
here's my idea of cities for a fictional league:
East Conference:
Ottawa
Quebec
Montreal
Toronto
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Buffalo
Boston
Hartford
New York
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Detroit
Washington
Chicago
Hamilton, Ont.
West Conference:
St. Paul
Winnipeg
Calgary
Edmonton
Vancouver
Seattle
Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Denver
St. Louis
Saskatoon
Milwaukee
Kansas City
Dallas
San Jose
OMG what is wrong with half of you people. Do you all not have a fictional Bone in your body? Who cares the some of the names are the same as a NHL Team. THIS IS NOT THE DAM NHL. Get it through you heads! If you don’t like it you don’t have to be a part of it. As for me and people that like to design stuff this is a welcome project. Even thought I like what I was doing to NHL Teams I know that none of it will ever be used on any of there teams. With the IHA here there is a chance that they may use the design and that’s what makes this more enjoyable.
@ Mike Phoenix,
Again, if it's "not the dam nhl" as you put it, then why use their nicknames? Just a thought.
I COMPLETELY agree with Resist the machine. Except for there being 6 Canadian teams in the East, and 5 in the West. It should be 6 and 6 eh? (By the looks of lots of Canadian teams... are you Canadian, Resist?)
to all the people complaining about the names and colours when a new league is established are all the names unique for all other hockey leagues no and neither are the colours.theres a thought for you.
I cant draw so i wont be participating but this will still be an exciting challenge for those participating look forward to seeing
No, I'm American with some hockey sense. Notice how I completely elimnated nearly all of the SE teams except for DC. I was having a difficult time of finding a sixth acceptable Canadian city for the West. Maybe either the Forts (McMurray/Nelson) or Whitehorse could be considered as longshots, but that's about it.
Interesting Resist. where do you see the same Nickname for any of the city there in the NHL. all but the Americans and that was Before Orginal 6 times.
Don't forget Stars.
Fire could be a reference to the Flames.
Would be cool if there was a poll or something for teams/team names. Would also be excellent if there was a St. John's, Newfoundland team lol, even though we lost our Fog Devils. I may just give this a go yet, if i have time between work and freelancing.
The more Canadian teams the merrier, just as long as Chris doesn't put them all in one or two divisions.
the only other city in the west that could support a team maybe be victoria if thats hard to the fact its on an island i dont think whitehorse has enough people
or enen regina could be in the west
LOL Really There is a Washington Stars in the NHL? Show me! the fire may be the closest you get. but not the same name. Give it up man. I understansd your all about being orginal but to just grasp at straws? If it was your idea i would not care. Just like i don't care now and its Chris's idea.
What's the problme with same names of NHL?
At least we won't have two teams with the same name (lookin' at you, AHL)
Guilherme
hmmm...
i'm guessing that after the submissions are made, there's going to be a competition between the concepts? perhaps do the same for jerseys? the winners go into one single concept gallery?
i love the idea, it's almost as though i've mentioned it before...
seriously though, i'm glad to see you're going through with it, even taking it a step farther and branding a new league instead of rebranding the nhl
I don't like this one bit. Let me tell you why...
This guy is getting at least 90 logos (without including multiple selections per team) for FREE. A design job like this should cost at least $1000 (just over $10 per logo).
Things like this are what drive down the graphic design industry. Because people are willing to do stuff like this for absolutely no charge, the job of being a graphic designer suddenly becomes a hobby...