[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

2 hours ago, tnt said:

I agree, and if we don't, our fanbase should be outraged again at how much money  the University laid out for a poor result.  In other words, at the least, this should represent a standard that SME needs to meet or exceed, otherwise we have been led down the generic route once again.

The poll on the left came from Anna's article, the poll on the right was a screen shot from Fox9.  Bridging this divide is a must for a new brand.

 

Poll on left:
http://www.inforum.com/news/3885425-decades-long-debate-ends-new-und-nickname-revealed

[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

2 hours ago, choyt3 said:

Did your company fill out the rfp for the UND project? 

No, we didn't participate. We felt it was more important to release visuals that would work best for this situation, and that meant tying them back to the Native American heritage and tapping into the deep #SiouxForever fans base. With 73% of fans still disapproving of the Fighting Hawks nickname (especially compared Fighting Sioux), we were of the opinion that it will be very tough for any design firm to overcome the situation with a generic "hawk" logo and totally break form the past. Designs have to fit the situation.

 

[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

Thanks for checking out the designs and the whole presentation is available at UND REBRAND PRESENTATION. 

More back story: We worked independently on this major re-brand all last Summer and Fall as part of a project to come up with concepts and strategies for transitioning teams around America with Native American nicknames.  In the sports design world this is a huge issue, made even harder by the battle lines that are drawn by both sides. Another such battle we were following was also occurring at Watertown High in (MA) last June.

The designs that we released today are totally free of design by committee compromises that would water down a true "transition brand" direction, which is needed to appeal to the most number of fans in the UND Community, create a wide adoption and set the brand up for a successful future.  To that end, we purposely nuanced the back feathers of the revered Native American hawk symbol to create an identity that would serve as a source of pride for those on all sides of the issue.  Our 2nd "Thunderbird" design does this in a  slightly different way.  We were also keenly aware that the only way to break through the deep passion for the Fighting Sioux nickname, is a with a powerful brand identity that respects the past with elements that tie the new brand to the old.

For those wondering, definitely, we have no affiliation with other designers.  Just wanted to put solid design concepts out there and let fans weigh in.

 

[Check out the new Logo concepts by Gridiron Labs]

Check out Fighting Hawks logo and uniforms concepts from sports brand designers Gridiron Labs that deliver a true transition brand for backers of the Fighting Sioux nickname.  The full package along with logo stories can be checked out here:  bit.ly/1R1qTuP