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)
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).
This I feel the need to respond to. No one's making any money off of this project so why should any be spent? It's meant for people who do graphic design as a hobby — in no way does it take anything from what professionals do. As a professional graphic designer myself, I'm bothered by your suggestion that it does.
Gotta lighten up. This is all meant to be fun. You don't have to participate if you don't want to.
@ Mike Phoenix
As a fan of the Washington CAPITALS, I'm embarrassed and ashamed that Chris' fantasy nickname for D.C. is the Stars. It seems so underwhelming and underachieving. You seem to miss the point when I believe that NHL NICKNAMES should NOT be used in a fantasy league, i.e. Dallas STARS.
As a fan of the Washington CAPITALS, I'm embarrassed and ashamed that Chris' fantasy nickname for D.C. is the Stars. It seems so underwhelming and underachieving. You seem to miss the point when I believe that NHL NICKNAMES should NOT be used in a fantasy league, i.e. Dallas STARS.
Maybe it's my mistake for assuming people read what I write, but I did not come up with the names for the teams and I think you're missing the point, actually. This is about a challenge to design logos based on given parameters, not about who has the nickname you are least embarrassed or ashamed by. Some of these are meant to be more challenging than others.
And when you say NHL nicknames shouldn't be used, I completely disagree. Put the NHL out of your mind when thinking about this project.
Oh ok maybe the Washington Democrats? Yeah with a big ass on it and lots of stars. LOL see the word Fantasy you used? that is what this is all about. Fantasy means not real! You need to think that way. The only shame here is that you dont know how to enjoy this and have fun! so maybe you should go and make your own blog and get people to make one for your Fantasy teams. and if you do and tell me ill make some for you to. And by the sounds of it i dont think chris alone made up the names of the teams. so maybe you should lay off the guy.
So if future names like the Vancouver Orcas, Denver Blizzard, Los Angeles Royalty surface, I shouldn't think about the NHL either? It can't be a coincidence that 3 out of the 5 teams already made up (well 4 if you include colors) ARE eerily similar to the NHL teams, past and present. Overall, this probably isn't the best thought process when attempting to brand a fantasy hockey league. I'm sure Nicolas put time into this, but not implementing any voting measures for cities/colors/nickname to the other readers of your blog makes the whole concept quite frivolous and downright preposterous.
Overall, this probably isn't the best thought process when attempting to brand a fantasy hockey league. I'm sure Nicolas put time into this, but not implementing any voting measures for cities/colors/nickname to the other readers of your blog makes the whole concept quite frivolous and downright preposterous.
Are you kidding? Man, this blog is nothing but frivolity — and proud of it! Welcome to the party. Regardless, once again I feel the need to point out that this project is NOT about creating a fantasy league from the ground up.
It's about designing logos for teams that their "fans" have given names and colors to. It's like "rebranding the NHL" only there's no "re-" because these teams never had logos to begin with. As far as the NHL comparisons, I'm not saying there aren't similarities, I'm saying just put them out of your mind for this.
It's really a simple concept. Try not to overthink things.
In regard to cost and design prices. 10 dollars a logo? In the real industry (and depending on the business) you could pay thousands for one logo alone. I understand the hesitancy as a designer myself, however, if one felt that way about it, they could always not participate, even provide non vector files, won't stop copying but it will at least protect what you've created somewhat.
Duly Noted.
I believe that this whole approach could have induced a lot more involvement from others who visit your blog instead of the thought process of one individual.
How much time can we expect to pass before the designs start being posted?
this is a great idea and i really wanna participate, but I have little artistic talent, more than some people though, jsut not enough to make a good logo. However, i think im pretty good at wordmarks. I can try, ive got free time, and this is a great idea, which i believe we could do again for another fantasy league afterwords. My designs wont be good, but hey, it will be fun, even if the names arent too original.
what kinds of programs are best for creating the logos...for example what does ghettofarmboy use??
Hey! Please put in a Rochester team!!!
Like the Storm, or something cool! :]
BRING BACK THE GUITARS
Resist the Machine, shut up. Chris is trying to entertain us because that's what this blog is all about. He does it for us. And idiots like you have to go and ruin it for everyone. I'm sure Chris isn't feeling the same way now as when he first posted this challenge.
So, go get a life and learn how to READ. He's clearly stated multiple times that this is not a real league, not for any professional use. It's just a fun challenge. If he's asking you to take this merely as fun, then why on earth would you complain about it not being serious?
And WHY DOES IT MATTER that Nicolas has used similar names and colour schemes? Does it effect the whole point of this? Sorry, you don't get the whole point. First, go learn how to read and get some common sense while you're at it. After that, come back and read the instructions again, well, for the first time. Then you can go eat a bowl of Get-Realios.
Yeah, that last part was cheezy, but at least I can understand what Chris is trying to get into your non-existent brain.
im completely new to designing logos, so if anyone has any links u could post or tips to help me get started, i would really appreciate it.
Hmm... my list with teams from cities around the entire world is way better, more creative, and has no nhl duplication or hints at teams in other/same cities. The league I made when I was 10 even had more creative names than this (this one was only in north america).
It may be just me (or lots of other people by looking at the posts), but wouldn't it be more fun and creative to have the artists design teams with original names so they can make original designs other than different colors and a slightly modified logo to their nhl (or any other sports leagues) counterparts. Plus IHA is a cheesy name.
@ Pav
You can use Adobe Illustrator! It's the best and it's sure that Ghetto Farm Boy use this!
Yeah, adobe illustrator or freehand are the most common ones. There's also CoreDraw, but you dont want to use coreldraw, believe me. lol.
I would say Pav for you if its your first time, Use Photoshop Illustrator takes a little getting use to. but once you figure it out you will love it.
Great, I will definately try to get Adobe Illustrator...I have some great ideas for logos...thanx for the help..
I didnt have time to follow all the guidelines,create secondary logos,etc...but I colored a jersey and came up with a logo crest...
gladiator shield with swords
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/692/titansrf4.jpg
I'd do something with the white inside the helmet on yours FlyingV4Life, like change it to a lighter black or put a head inside of it. I like it otherwise, but I can't see the secondary logo very well.
Leafers LP,
Your rant was rather comical. Obviously you don't understand the points I was trying to make about the fantasy hockey league. This "design a new league" approach could have been better involving the masses instead of a hand-me down from another casual reader. Just my 2 cents worth. Also, you might as well consider this project as it'll be a long winter for your Leafs again.
Gah, no Boston?
When are you going to give us a new division? I already finished my logos and jerseys for the atlantic
Hey, Machine. It's pretty sad that you have to bash my team just to make an excuse.
You spazzed out like a tard, and now in the west division post you're trying to act like you're all caring and crap. You obviously don't understand anyone's point of why Chris is even doing this. It's not supposed to be friggin professionally thought out or anything. And I'd say they're doing a pretty good job because we haven't seen any Chops.
Oh, and by the way, I'm kind of hoping for a long winter, tard. Have you ever heard of Tavares? Sorry, you only pretend to give a crap about hockey. You wouldn't have heard of him since it's another Canadian superstar.
Just my 2 cents to put in the machine.
HAHAHA the leafs will never get tavares
So you're saying the Leafs are actually good? Wow, what an insult. Thank you.
WTF with the Washington Stars??? Why not call the other team the Dallas Capitals...also the Edmonton Seahawks???? Edmonton is nowhere near the sea...who came up with these names???
And when you say NHL nicknames shouldn't be used, I completely disagree. Put the NHL out of your mind when thinking about this project.
Chris, I am having a hard time with this,,you say put the nhl out of your mind when doing this, but you have kept Pitts, NY and Wash NHL colors..who came up with these names and colors anyways..I still cant stand the names of the Washington Stars and Edmonton Seahawks
If you do decide to make this into a fantasy league with fictional player. I can easily help out in that department. I've been working on my own hockey league for about fifteen years (64 seasons completed) and i use about 65% made up players then i filled out my rosters with 5-9 rounders from the draft. I also have a 40 team league.
sounds cool
There is only 1 logo out of all that you can tell is a hockey team's logo...??????????????????????????????