Creative Inspiration

Has it really been seven weeks since the last concept post? Unacceptable. Yes, there have been a lot of blog and tournament updates. And yes, I've been busy lately. But seven weeks is a long time. So I'm going to try some new things to keep the concepts flowing.

Since getting this page updated is lower on my list of website priorities due to the time/effort required, I'm going to start adding new concept art to our brand new Facebook page on a regular basis to keep everyone satisfied. However, I will continue to save some items to be showcased here on the site.

So I'm taking some time out this holiday weekend to post a handful of new work. Most of the concepts sent in tend to be a slight re-imagining of a team's uniform. Usually some stripes are rearranged or colors changed. But every so often, an especially creative concept appears. That's today's topic.

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Peter Debay	Peter has an interesting take on the look of the Vancouver Canucks. Interesting choice of colors and type. Gives the sweater a very classic feel.
Ryan Haslett	Ryan is one of our most prolific designers, and here I've got three of my favorites. (I know there's only one rating, by the way, so just make it an average.) First, awesome Canucks jersey. Forgot the Johnny Canuck V logo, go Johnny Canuck all the way! I also like this Avalanche concept. Great callback to the old Colorado Rockies logo in the burgundy and blue. And green is just what the doctor ordered for the Ducks. Heck, I'd settle for orange if they'd just use the webbed D on the front!
Matthew Duke	This post is about creativity and sometimes that can yield a somewhat disappointing result. I like where Matthew is going with the uniform designs, but that ATL logo was not well-liked as a 10th anniversary mark, and it's sure not any better here. But at least it gets us thinking about things for the Thrashers.
Vin Maccioli	Here's a cool one. Vin offers up a unique alternate sweater with a very retro feel. It may not work for the Red Wings on a regular basis, but maybe as a one-off specialty thing instead. And yes, I'm also posting this one as a tribute to my Bolts' new GM — Stevie Y! I'm expecting great things from him.
Jake Slavik	The last concept is a little Winter Classic 2011 bonus. And with all respect to Jake, this is pretty far out. He's combined so many different eras of the Penguins and Capitals that it's become kind of a jumble. On the other hand, it does help us see what was good and what was bad about these clubs' past uniforms. For example, Weagle good, funky striping not. And sadly, he's left the gold out of the Penguins' jersey entirely. Despite the blue sweaters in the Pens' early years, the penguin logo was never without gold.

I'm shooting for concept updates on a weekly basis, but that may be too much to ask for. Just know that I'm doing the best I can. I'm assuming things will quiet down on the news front as the summer goes on, which will allow more time for concept posts.

All-Star Anticipation

As you know, the Carolina Hurricanes were recently awarded the NHL All-Star weekend for 2011. A logo has not yet been released. In anticipation of that, a lot of artists have been sending in all-star concepts so I wanted to share some of those tonight.

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Tyler Rodgers	Tyler has created the most original/complete logo and uniform set for the 2011 All-Star Game. Something like this could very well be the logo. Despite its similarity to the 2009 game in Montreal, it does what most all-star logos do. It takes elements of the host team's logo and combines it with stars. The uniform designs are also surprisingly feasible. I would not be at all surprised to see something like this when the official logos and jerseys are unveiled. Is it the most creative all-star set we've ever seen? At the risk of offending Tyler, no. But to his credit, it is very realistic.
Ezra Brouwer	Ezra sends in this uniform set, a fitting follow-up to the 2009 all-star jerseys. Not bad, but maybe a little too heavy-handed with the stars.
Matt Marczel	Matt's submission is pretty sharp. Great use of stars and striping. Only odd thing I noticed was the use of Avalanche jersey numbers. Seems a little out of place. But overall, very nice jerseys.
Tony Galiffo	This last concept logo isn't about the 2011 All-Star Game, obviously. Instead, it's Tony's suggestion for a 2012 edition of the Winter Classic in Ohio featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets. He's even set up a Facebook page to promote his cause. Feel free to join him if you support it too.

Got some really excellent concepts on the way. Heading to the Northeast for those so check back soon.

Concepts Out of Thin Air

We head to the Mile High City for the latest batch of concepts. Enjoy this Colorado Avalanche artwork.

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Matthew Duke	At first glance, Matthew's concept may look like one for the old Colorado Rockies club. But look closer. It's all about the Avs. It's a unique design with a new color added. Should it replace what is arguably one of the best logos in all of hockey? Of course not. But I could see it gaining a following as an alternate. Maybe not the white one. I prefer the way the striping works on the burgundy sweater. Shameless promotion for Matthew: He's got a Carolina Hurricanes concept that will knock your socks off. I'll try to get it posted soon.
Ryan Haslett	I'm not sure that removing the classic "A" logo is the way to go about making an improved Avs jersey concept, but what Ryan has isn't half bad. Plus, the Caps-inspired sleeve design gives the effect of snow-covered mountains. And I have been enjoying watching Colorado play in blue.
Glen Cuthbert	But if you do have to replace the crest, I certainly don't think diagonal text is a good thing. The sasquatch footprint, however, could be a keeper. Glen has placed it on the original Avs third jersey for us.
Brian Brideau	Perhaps the real solution is just to fix the striping on the Avalanche's home and road sweaters. Is Brian's Phoenix-style concept the cure-all? Maybe not, but it's a step in the right direction. Why not just go back to the original look from 1995? Don't let Reebok stand in your way.
Jeff Wozniak	Finally, as we wait for word on the locale(s) for the 2011 Winter Classic, Icethetics artists are more than glad to throw in their opinions. Jeff pits the Avalanche, dressed as the Quebec Nordiques, against the Montreal Canadiens in the epic Battle of Quebec. Who wouldn't love to see that old Nordiques logo back on NHL ice? This would be a cool match-up for a Canadian game. Any other outdoor match-ups you'd like to see?

Hope you liked those Avs concepts. Our creative designers work very hard. Up next: Elliott Strauss' NHL rebranding series returns this week! And, as a perfect segue, it starts in Colorado.