What makes a great sports logo?

[The Sicatoka]

Welcome to the reality of "Fighting Hawks". It is what it is. I believe in truth and truth is conformity of mind to reality. 

Fighting Hawks is here and real. So, in the spirit of truth and reality, we have to go with it. 

And now we need a logo. 

OK, I get that some folks are rolling out their personal designs. Have at it. 

Here I'd like the conversation to focus on "What makes a great sports logo". 

The Capt. Obvious answer is a great team and winning tradition. Undoubtedly. The next is "the old logo". Sure, but in today's world that's not an option. (See above: truth.) 

So, moving beyond that, what else is there? 

I have some ideas of mine and others stolen from websites. 

I'd like to hear everyone's ideas on the concepts behind logos and not so much logo samples. 

[geaux_sioux]

Angry logos try too hard. Confident logos are much stronger.

[The Sicatoka]

My first notion: the simple, yet complex. 

The old Milwaukee Brewers glove logo. Or was it an "M", a "B", and a baseball? 

See that and other simple yet complex ideas here:

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/sports-logos-hidden-images-milwaukee-brewers 

Edited November 23, 2015 by The Sicatoka

[UNDBIZ]

When it comes to having a name as bland and generic as Hawks, the #1 for me for the logo will be uniqueness.

[The Sicatoka]

I like this list (and associated article):

• Simple
• Memorable
• Timeless
• Versatile
• Appropriate

http://justcreative.com/2009/07/27/what-makes-a-good-logo/ 

[ibleedgreen]

I hope they go with multuple logo options when they do. Atleast 2 options would be nice. Maybe one really unique logo and one that is simple. 

[Fetch]

Something that makes u go Oh Yeah that's it 

I'd buy that

Cool

Let's Go Sioux

[bigskyvikes]

My first notion: the simple, yet complex. 

The old Milwaukee Brewers glove logo. Or was it an "M", a "B", and a baseball? 

See that and other simple yet complex ideas here:

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/sports-logos-hidden-images-milwaukee-brewers 

The coolest thing ever... Thanks Sic!

[Cratter]

Pixar animation vs 90's Saturday morning cartoons.

[dagies]

Angry logos try too hard. Confident logos are much stronger.

You said it here very well.

Ok, I love the most recent Sioux head logo as well as the previous Indian head logo from back in the '80's (my era in GF).   That said, I think the best logos are VERY simple logos that are easily visible and identifiable either large or small, close or far away.  These are images that are instantaneously identifiable and evoke the desired image of the team name/nickname.     For example, some of the very best, IMO:

Dallas Cowboys star 

Minnesota Vikings horns

Baltimore Colts horseshoe

San Diego Charger's lightningbolt

Oregon's "O"

Miami's "U"

Boston Red Sox "B"

UND Fighting Sioux geometric logo (hey, still the jersey I wear)

You know exactly what these are when you see them.  Simple, straight forward, iconic, strong, attractive, etc.

This takes nothing away from a great image like the Brien logo.   But I never bought a hat with that logo because once you are 10 feet away from it you don't know what it is.   It's pretty good on the front of a jersey, and a bigger image on the front of a sweatshirt, but never would have come off well on the side of a football helmet, IMO.   

Anyway, that's my take

(It's why I suggested the "Black Stripes" as a nickname option.    1 black censor bar on the jersey front, football helmet, or ball cap and everyone would have known what that was about.  Ok, well, in a years they would have, but hope you get my drift)

Edited November 24, 2015 by dagies

[Wildfan]

I think our logo being a Hawks need the "cool" factor that alternate jerseys usually have. Maybe even have 2 if they go the bird route, because I think an alternate logo could be a military plane, or UAS, as many of those have Hawks in the name. 

[Irish]

No doubt we are relying on the logo to salvage a bland if not crappy team name - My suggestion is that we don't let the tools (looking at you, UND administration) who brought us this new nickname any way near this logo design.  

[CMSioux]

Based on what we have experienced I'm not confident - what we do have going for us is a new president who hopefully won't micromanage the process. But if it's done by committee again expect the worst - and again I will say no outisde organizations - meaning the Native American Cultural Center needs to be involved. 

[NoiseInsideMyHead]

No doubt we are relying on the logo to salvage a bland if not crappy team name - My suggestion is that we don't let the tools (looking at you, committee and voters) who brought us this new nickname any way near this logo design.  

Fixed your post.

[UNDBIZ]

You said it here very well.

Ok, I love the most recent Sioux head logo as well as the previous Indian head logo from back in the '80's (my era in GF).   That said, I think the best logos are VERY simple logos that are easily visible and identifiable either large or small, close or far away.  These are images that are instantaneously identifiable and evoke the desired image of the team name/nickname.     For example, some of the very best, IMO:

Dallas Cowboys star 

Minnesota Vikings horns

Baltimore Colts horseshoe

San Diego Charger's lightningbolt

Oregon's "O"

Miami's "U"

Boston Red Sox "B"

UND Fighting Sioux geometric logo (hey, still the jersey I wear)

You know exactly what these are when you see them.  Simple, straight forward, iconic, strong, attractive, etc.

This takes nothing away from a great image like the Brien logo.   But I never bought a hat with that logo because once you are 10 feet away from it you don't know what it is.   It's pretty good on the front of a jersey, and a bigger image on the front of a sweatshirt, but never would have come off well on the side of a football helmet, IMO.   

Anyway, that's my take

(It's why I suggested the "Black Stripes" as a nickname option.    1 black censor bar on the jersey front, football helmet, or ball cap and everyone would have known what that was about.  Ok, well, in a years they would have, but hope you get my drift)

Unfortunately, Notre Dame's interlocking ND probably belongs in the above list as well.

[Siouxperfan7]

We all remember when Kelley decided to have 3 names advance to the runoff and he said that the winner of that would be the nickname.  The majority thought this was a horrible idea because the winner was sure to not have 50% of the vote.  So what did we do?  We emailed the people who make the decisions, voiced our concerns, and ultimately the process was changed to ensure a majority of at least 50% was required to select a new name.

This issue required the same response.  We do not need some outside firm from New York designing the new Fighting Hawks logo.  There are plenty of local people with local ties to the University and the state that can come up with something that will be far superior to what a design firm out wast could come up with.  Like I have said before, the last local guy with ties to the University designed a pretty good logo last time!!

So voice your concerns to the appropriate people.  You want to make a change in the process and make your voices heard?  Contact the people who have a say in the matter.  Let them know how UND's stakeholders feel.  Give them a change to hear and possibly change their mind on the process  It worked before, it can work again.

As always, be respectful in your emails.

robert.kelley@email.und.edu

peter.johnson@email.und.edu

 

[fight on sioux]

We all remember when Kelley decided to have 3 names advance to the runoff and he said that the winner of that would be the nickname.  The majority thought this was a horrible idea because the winner was sure to not have 50% of the vote.  So what did we do?  We emailed the people who make the decisions, voiced our concerns, and ultimately the process was changed to ensure a majority of at least 50% was required to select a new name.

This issue required the same response.  We do not need some outside firm from New York designing the new Fighting Hawks logo.  There are plenty of local people with local ties to the University and the state that can come up with something that will be far superior to what a design firm out wast could come up with.  Like I have said before, the last local guy with ties to the University designed a pretty good logo last time!!

So voice your concerns to the appropriate people.  You want to make a change in the process and make your voices heard?  Contact the people who have a say in the matter.  Let them know how UND's stakeholders feel.  Give them a change to hear and possibly change their mind on the process  It worked before, it can work again.

As always, be respectful in your emails.

robert.kelley@email.und.edu

peter.johnson@email.und.edu

 

EXACTLY. LETTER SENT.

[dagies]

EXACTLY. LETTER SENT.

same

[johndahl]

I think I'd take the best logo available at this point, to help salvage a weak nickname.  It would be fun if Bennett Brien ended up providing something great, but if the best logo comes from a designer in New York, Bratislava, etc., I'm still all for using it.

[fight on sioux]

I think I'd take the best logo available at this point, to help salvage a weak nickname.  It would be fun if Bennett Brien ended up providing something great, but if the best logo comes from a designer in New York, Bratislava, etc., I'm still all for using it.

I have never seen anything bad come out of Bennett Briens art.

[Fetch]

Be respectful ? Fhawk that

 

 

Edited November 24, 2015 by Fetch
?

[Fetch]

I need some Chunky Soup

Edited November 24, 2015 by Fetch

[Fetch]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Best+Hawk+picture+ever&hl=en&gl=us&authuser=0&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic2-PkzqnJAhWBQSYKHZqECsQQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=1021&dpr=1#hl=en&gl=us&tbm=isch&q=hawk+pictures

[Fetch]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Best+Hawk+picture+ever&hl=en&gl=us&authuser=0&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic2-PkzqnJAhWBQSYKHZqECsQQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=1021&dpr=1#hl=en&gl=us&tbm=isch&q=North+Dakota+Hawk+

[dagies]

Maybe we could use a thread on good chants, sayings or t-shirt ideas.   For example, maybe a popular t-shirt for the masses that travel to out of town games, or to just describe our fan base might be a "Flawk of F'hawks".   Or "Flawk of Fawks".  :-)