OT - My Logo Work for the Grand Rapids Griffins
Okay-- so it's not exactly a secret that I'm a professional designer by trade. One of my specialties/interests is in branding and uniform design, about which I occasionally throw in my two cents around here.
With that being said, I've recently taken part in a design contest that may actually result in a legitimate application of my work if things go well. The only reason I'm letting you all know is that it pertains to your own AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Since a lot of you are Red Wings fans, I'm assuming this might be of interest to you.
This whole thing actually takes place at another blog, Puckdrawn.com, which deals primarily in hockey jersey design and aesthetics. Basically the premise for this particular contest is to design an alternate look for the Griffins, and eventually the best work will be shown to the team's management as consideration for an actual on-ice jersey or uniform design.
I contributed three designs: the red, featuring my original Griffin mark on a Rbk Edge template; the white, featuring my alternate-as-main mark on the same template; and a 3rd, an idea of actually honoring Gordie Howe with a jersey designed in his own likeness (I wanted something REALLY different for the last).
In the past some of you have expressed interest in seeing more of my work. Well, you can all check it out here:
http://www.puckdrawn.com/puckdrawn/2009/06/more-grand-rapids-griffins-t…
I'm happy with the logo. The uniforms are different, and you can argue that they're WAY too "Reebok," BUT keep in mind that one of the many people that would have to sign off on something like this is a Reebok guy, so I thought I'd play it up and do the best with their template.
So I welcome you all to check 'em out and let me know what you think, if only because I'm not a part of the local fan base. I'm really good about taking criticism, and welcome any and all comments. Wish me luck!
Oh, and no-- I never did finish the alternate Wolverine head from way back when.
I think I like the white the most. Howe is awesome, but just a little scary.
I don't know about the floating Gordie Howe head, especially considering it's Howe's old man face as opposed to playing career face.
But the home and aways look great. The only thing I might say about either of those two is that the lighter shade of blue on the armpits of the blue jersey might be unnecessary.
I like the designs of the jersey; modern, yeah, and I'm always more of a traditionalist if I can help it, but they're actually not too Reeboky for my taste. Only thing I'd get rid of is the white/gray shoulder stripes, I've always hated that feature.
Logos don't do much for me though.
Good luck with your entrees, I'm really diggin the white jersey, they're modern and stylish without going too overboard like the oregon football team's.
Something seems off about the red jersey, and at first I couldn't figure it out, but then it came to me. It bears too much resemblance to those fugly avalanche jerseys. My mind auto-hates anything that reminds me of them.
The Gordie Howe jersey gets a 10 for Originality, really a great concept, and one I actually hope they employ. However, as Boutros said, the smiling grandpa face doesn't do a lot for me. Good Idea, jersey, and patch, but maybe a different Howe logo.
how it turns out and I will show up for the game where they get worn and buy you a beer (hopefully its a Friday game ;)
I like how you incorporated the wing of the Red Wings logo onto the griffin (at least that's what I think you did).
The Howe jersey is pretty cool although the logo reminds me a little bit of Colonel Sanders.
not bad. howe is ok, maybe add octopus tentacles for his body?
worry about manufacturing costs? did you have to limit the # of colors used or worry about stitching location for color transitions?
what would it take to come up with a M hockey jersey? just curious... one that looked, well... traditional and one that would be your design, so limits.
While everything is designed on a limited palette both in terms of visual quality AND production, no I haven't taken into account actual production considerations such as stitch count or colors-- for example, I put a slight orange-gold accent on the main gold of the beak, and that might be the first to go to keep costs down. There IS alot of color in there-- 5 different hues plus white.
As far as the M jersey-- I'd LOVE to put something together like that-- in fact I still wear the gold dazzle jersey to open hockey once in awhile. The real issue is if I could justify a full order. Plus there is the small matter of Bill Martin suing my ass for using it illegally. But if people were into it, I'd enjoy doing ANYTHING maize and blue.
BTW-- I'm also considering offering my services to MgoBlog members for their upcoming NCAA 10 custom teams. I'd be willing to donate my services if you all were willing to donate money to Brian. Anyone interested?
im coming to the game
if you lose, we can drown our sorrows on dollar beer night
I was wondering if you'd have a design in there.
Our art director ("Cork" of Corkboards) and I have been working on a design as well.
It's not submitted yet, but we're going with a circle-logo in the middle. I always thought circle-logos on hockey jerseys were the classiest (next to big block M's of course)
Love the red!
Fantastic work, sir
The third, Gordie Howe, not as much. But it is different.
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