2013 IceHL Logo Submissions

We're halfway through this summer's 13 Weeks of R&R to reinvigorate the IceHL Project. Now the time has come to put our talented artists to work! If you have an idea, send it along.

The Teams

Voters have made 11 teams eligible for rebranding this summer. See all the names and recommended color palettes here and scroll down for the design contest rules.

The colors are not mandatory. If you have your own color scheme in mind, we won't stand in your way. However, I'd encourage all designers to avoid any shade of blue. It is easily the most overused color in the league. We could use a little variety at this point.

The colors listed include current, suggested and alternate so that each team has at least two color palette options. If no "suggested" palette is listed, then voters picked the current palette. Again, you're not limited to these colors, but this lets you know what the voters might prefer.

The Rules

There aren't many rules in IceHL design contests, but they must be followed: 

• DO NOT STEAL ARTWORK. No copying or tracing. No clipart. No adapting existing designs. No "borrowing." Create something original and distinctive!
• Exception to adaptation rule: Since we're rebranding teams, you may choose to update the team's current logo in some way. In that case, you will share credit with the original designer. (I'll decide whether you've made enough of a change to be included in voting.)
• Entries must be submitted via email to icethetics@gmail.com.
• Valid entries will include at least a primary logo and a wordmark. Secondary logos are at the designer's discretion.
• Please submit vector artwork (PDF/AI/SVG) if at all possible as this will be helpful to me when creating graphics for the web as well as the IceHL yearbook. (I will also accept high-resolution JPG and PNG formats.)
• Include your first and last name as well as email address on the actual artwork. 
• Finally, by submitting artwork you agree to allow Icethetics to use it in conjunction with IceHL-related projects and publications. 

DEADLINE: Saturday, June 8

You have three weeks to design and submit your work. Have fun and good luck! We'll begin voting on Mon., June 10 so if you end up needing an extra day, please let me know in advance.

Non-Designers Can Help Too

One more thing. You may not be skilled in graphic design, but maybe you're the big-picture type. If you have a great idea for a logo design, but can't put on paper, try putting it into words. Describe your idea in the comments and maybe it'll help one of our designers who's struggling to come up with an idea. You may not get a design credit, but you can still be part of the process!

Good luck to all!

Thanks to the IceHL Branding Committee

I also wanted to make a point of thanking the hastily-formed IceHL Branding Committee. It was a group of 12 guys who had some great discussions on how best to brand our relocated franchises in Halifax and Philadelphia. Their work resulted in the names Halifax Dragons and Philadelphia Aces.

The committee was comprised of (in no particular order) Ross Taylor, Matthew McElroy, Andy Petzold, Tony Pomposelli, Mike Burmeister, Matt Riegler, Ed Power, Matt Marczel, Thomas Ogilvie, Mike Kelly, Brandon Hebert and Dan Roesch. They are GMs, former AGMs, designers and all-around fans of the league and each made a lot of great contributions to the process. We'll surely go back to them to solve any future branding problems.

Comments

[dilbert719]

For those who aren't seeing a connection between Philadelphia and "Aces," I originally didn't, either. Then I remembered this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Aces

Not that the singing group is necessarily the way to go in terms of logo or process, but it's at least interesting.

[Rob in Cascadia]

sorry to be sticking my nose in again. (honestly if I had any artistic talent I would just submit my own ideas rather than just making posts)

For the Snipers if new art is submitted, it would be better to not work on a gun/bullet motif. Not to be anti-gun, but because in the polls it was quite clear that people choose to keep the Sharpshooters, and to say goodbye to Regina and the revolver in their logo. There is no point in making the Snipers "Saskatchewan's team" if we are just going to saddle them with something that might as well been used for the Renegades if they had stayed put.

But that's just my opinion.
#snipers-keepthetargetlogo

[Ben Smith]

@ Rob in Cascadia - thanks for pointing out the Calgary Stampede and the Stampeders, I wasn't aware of either! If the Stallions are to avoid a profile of a horse then the designers are really going to be getting into interesting territory. One approach may be to go the classic route by using a decrotive (like ye olde English) 'C'? To be honest though I think it'll be tough to find something that represents or matches the Stallion name without showing a horse in some way. Hopefully the designers are more creative than me!

Or can we re-vote to get away from a horse-themed team in Calgary?! Probably too late for that though...

[Rob in Cascadia]

Hey Ben,

Don't get me wrong, Calgary and Horses go together like butter and bread. The Stallions are a good fit for them, I would just caution that our artists be aware of what is already out there and to try and find a different and unique take.

[Austin E.]

I just thought of an awesome name for either Vancouver or Halifax. The Vancouver Marauders or Halifax Marauders. The logo could be pirate themed... but now it's too late :(

[@DetChrgrsIceHL]

Ben, if you like the Olde Englishe C, you must love the Hitmen's logo. :)

All I know is that my life will not be complete until I see an alternate logo for the Aces that has Ben Franklin in an aviator's cap.

[Rob in Cascadia]

This:
All I know is that my life will not be complete until I see an alternate logo for the Aces that has Ben Franklin in an aviator's cap.
Should be the next Rinkgear Jersey

[@DetChrgrsIceHL]

Anyone who wants to rip off and expand on my idea on Twitter @DetChrgrsIceHL is more than welcome to do so. Motor City skyline in the butterflies of a supercharger scoop.

[Ben Smith]

@Rob - yeah ack what you're saying. Looking forward to seeing what they put together.

@DETCHRGRSICEHL - Ah, yeah, the Chicago Hitmen! How could I forget!? Don't necessairily like that idea; was just trying to get away from horses!

Just had an idea for a colour pallette which I think is cool. Google "Chiefs WaiKids Jersey". You're looking for the one that is pale blue/orange/yellow - I think it looks great!

[jonathanc]

if i can make a suggestion to anyone that is interested in drawing the detroit logo:

all the detroit teams have really simple logos and they are all classic. they get tweaked from time to time, but for the most part, they are classic designs that have lasted long time.

the one time the tried to change up the piston's logo- the horse head and exhaust wordmark- it was hated by the fans and only lasted a couple years. with a name like CHARGERS, i think it would be easy to want to replicate something that looked like that design, but it was horrible, so put that out of your mind.

hopefully that little rant gives someone some inspiration to make up a great logo.

[Ben Smith]

Gah, 1 more day until submissions close! Can't wait to see what you guys have produced!