From The Ground Up
22 CommentsThe IHA Project is going superbly as evidenced by the logo designs we've seen coming in for the fictional hockey league. But despite that, I still read comments and emails almost daily asking why nobody got any input on team names, colors, locations, etc. As I've said more times than I can count, that's not what the project is about.
However, it's made me realize that you guys would like a project where you get to exercise your creativity more — or at least your own opinion. A project where you build an entire fantasy hockey league from the ground up. Despite the time it will take to do this, I'm on board.
I'm adding a new element to the pollbar. It's called Fantasy and for the next few weeks it will feature polls that will allow you to guide the direction of this new league. Here is the question: Would you like to participate in the creation and branding of a fictional hockey league at Icethetics? If the response is positive, we'll move forward. If it isn't, I'll drop it.
The other question is about the geography. Two answers. North America or the globe? That's it for now. We'll see where we are next weekend when both polls have closed.
I hope this project doesn't prove to be a bad idea. I think this is something most of you want and I'm willing to facilitate it. So have fun with it. And if anybody's asking "what's the point?" The point is it's a hobby for logo designers and marketing wannabes. It gives you a chance to express yourself creatively if you want. And if you don't, it's something fun to look at every now and then.
Let me explain a little more about how this will work if we do go forward. Everything will be voted on. We'll start by choosing the number of teams in the league. Then which cities get teams. Then what names those teams will get. Then what colors they'll have. Then we'll go into logo and uniform design. I won't lie. It'll be a long process but everybody's voice will be heard. And I'll try to keep it as simple as possible while still making your vote the determining factor in every aspect.
And if you've got any suggestions for this process, don't hesitate to email me. I've got a lot of this already figured out but I'm always open to better ideas.
By the way, here's my plan for the IHA. We still have two divisions left. I'm going to see this through to the end. We'll get logos for all 30 teams and then it will be finished with it. No jerseys or anything like that. This project was always about the logos only. They'll all be turned over to Nicolas for use with his fantasy league — the International Hockey Association.
The one exception may be an IHA Logo Tournament just like all the other logo tournaments we've done. I'll gauge interest after we have all 30 and move on from there. But for anyone who's interested in following up with him about this fantasy league when the project at Icethetics comes to an end, I will find a way to get you in touch with him — likely via email.
Reader Comments (22)
it sounds good i would definitely like to see a few more canadian teams in the league. I just dont understand these fantasy leagues. like are players randomly drafted to each team and do we just watch? anyways i like the idea alot. i would just like to know a bit more
Basically, just think of it in terms of team creation and branding. There are no players yet. There are no games. It's just an opportunity for creative expression in a way that doesn't involve the NHL. We're starting a design project from scratch.
I'm all for it. Smashing idea, mate.
i think Grinch is talking about the idea of fantasy hockey in general, moreso than this league.
Excellent, i was really hoping you'd go through with this, and i'm glad you have. it should be a whole lot of fun and provide content for a long long time.
lets do this!
People from this site should create a team for NHL 09's EASHL.
x-box gamertag - thehumandivine
and even a fantasy league on yahoo with the teams we name here. How's about it?
i'm also going to recommend that if the people decide for a north american only league, and that league goes smoothly, we create a eurasian league after that.
how many ideas could we come up with for Paris? Berlin? Moscow?
i understand (and for the most part agree) with the north american only standpoint, keeping the status quo and using local knowledge, but i think we could really go wild overseas and, after a north american league is done, we should.
What about an actual logo for the IHA? That'd tie everything together...
I think this is a great idea. A league name could be the IHF, Icethetics Hockey Federation.
It will be cool to select names, colours and logos. How will we decide for names, colours and such though?
Frankly, I think making it a North American only league is a bad idea.
This project is all about being creative, so why should we limit ourselves to things that have been done before? What if there's a North American conference and a European conference?
European teams could be in countries where hockey is already somewhat popular like Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Rep., and Slovakia.
hey, i have an idea sorta related to an international league.
in correspondence to the Olympics currently happening, why dont we have some people do some concept jerseys for national teams? (of course i mean hockey) i mean its kind of like an international league, but each team is country based. Seems like it could be cool
I think a North American and a European concept would be awesome, thats a great idea.
As long as there are two completely separate leagues, one North American and one European, it is a good idea in my opinion to do the European teams after.
I agree that having North American and Eurasian conferences, while essentially doubling the work involved, would help us explore the full potential of this project.
Let's do it! I'm sure there are plenty of people here who would be willing to volunteer their time to assist you with the work.
i really like this site and i think it is a good idea to give some of the work to the people, i have many questions about the iha 1 why some of the teams have very similar or almost the same names as teams in the NHL i could see 1 or two but the ottawa capitals a team with same name as washington and a design similar to the leafs and 2 why at the begining the designs for many of the starting teams kinda sucked
i think that the iha shoudl be scrapped, leaving only the very best designs to respect the artist who designed the better logos and teams and then start this good idea letting the fans chose the cities, divisions, confreneces, colours, logos, and names
NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE
i also think the website should take in some ideas from the guy that posted the newly updated template LOOKS REALLY GOOD
it would be cool to if we could actually like run a season with these teams against each other with players
i like hockey weeks post first a north american league then a euro
This sounds great...i also kinda agree with Cameron. We should run a season with these teams. Anybody else agree?
i honestly can't see how running these teams could possibly work, let alone be productive.
are we just drafting teams? you can do that with any fantasy draft on any hockey videogame and play a season. how does that prove anything? are we making up players? that makes it even more complicated. how do we select what teams get who?
now having a tournament to decide which logos in the league are the best, THAT is more in the spirit of icethetics.
seriously people, just pretend we're starting a junior hockey league that has a budget to go national or international. we're just designers. you want a hockey season, pick up a video game
I think this is a fantastic idea. I don't think this should become a full blown fantasy league like some have suggested, since this is a blog about logo and brand design.
I also like the idea of separating it into North America first, and then move on to other continents like a European league. Imagine if we also tried other continents later like South America or Asia later one. That would be great as it would probably require some more research as we familiarize ourselves with other regions.
I think someone mentioned doing an international hockey logo design contest because of the Olympics. While I think that would be cool, it might be better to wait until we get closer to the Winter Olympics and the excitement builds.
Wow, why would people not want to include the whole world with an international league. Lets make something new and original.
Sweet, I'd like to see a team based on Nunavut, the Northwest Territories or the Yukon. Something outrageous!
Also, I express interest in being one of the owners of the fantasy teams :P