This is our identity for the NFL Houston Texans. I’m proud of this one because it’s our first big sports identity, and I once lived in Houston.
A year before starting the project, I took a special road trip from Houston to Austin with my 83-year old grandmother. We stayed at the Austin Motel, and shot pool and drank beer at the Continental Club.
The identity concept is Texas state pride. The symbol incorporates the Lone Star state flag. Team colors reflect soldier uniforms from the historic Battle of San Jacinto.
I wanted to create a very simple logo. The original design used only blue and red on a white helmet. The white holding line was added after the NFL chose the dark blue helmet.
Project Scope: Sports identity, symbol, wordmark, naming, team colors, helmet design, uniform exploration
Client: NFL
Our NFL Atlanta Falcons team identity helped launched a new era for the team. It was the first evolution of the identity since they were established in 1966. The falcon was updated to include new team colors, preserving the hidden letter 'F' in the logo. A team font was designed as well.
While working on this identity, we regularly visited San Francisco Zoo to sketch the resident Peregrine Falcon. She had spectacular black and white and gray graphic wings. That bold contrasting look became the concept of the new logo and uniform.
Soon after the launch, Atlanta Falcons jerseys became some of the best selling team apparel for the NFL.
Project Scope: Sports identity, symbol, wordmark, helmet design, team font, uniform exploration
Client: NFL
The Arizona Cardinals are one of the oldest professional football teams. We evolved the Cardinal head into a proud and graceful stance, as much one can when the source logo was a hand drawn cartoon from the 50’s.
Either way, I think it turned out fun, It looks great on their new state of the art stadium (cheers Pentagram), and I’d love to see it in person someday, I’m talking to you, Cardinals. Smiley face.
Project Scope: Sports identity, symbol, wordmark, helmet design, uniform exploration
Client: NFL
The Cincinnati Bengals wanted to bring the energy of their signature tiger striped helmet into a new team identity. The simple 'B' symbol works with the abstract helmet and the existing tiger symbol. Originally designed as a secondary symbol - it has since taken on a primary role.
Project Scope: Sports identity, symbol, wordmark, team font, end zone exploration
Client: NFL
The Seattle Seahawks built a new stadium on 2002 - we were asked to create a new team wordmark to go with the evolved team symbol that the NFL had already developed for the changeover.
Project Scope: Sports identity, wordmark, team font
Client: NFL
KT Wiz Baseball Club is the newest major league Korean baseball team - launched in 2015. Our concept was simple - that the magic is in the team - and the magic is inside all of us!
Project Scope: Sports identity, brand look & feel, team type font, team uniforms, team gear, fan merchandise, stadium signage, mascot character exploration, team vehicles
This is the official video launch of the KT Wiz Baseball Club - the newest major league Korean baseball team - who played their inaugural season in 2015. You can view the complete identity system here.
I first put Jerry West in a star during my explorations for the 2003 All-Star Game logos, I think he looks great there. This is a little update, just because it's so much damn fun to work with.
Client: NBA
We were surprised and honored to have won the Gold Design Award for our new identity for the KT Wiz Baseball Club at the inaugural CLIO Sports Awards.
We’d like to thank KT Sports for letting us be part of the KT Sports creative team. You can see more of our work for the KT Wiz identity project here.
This is our initial brand exploration for the KT Wiz Baseball Club. The concept was inspired by Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon - where the team will be located. The ancient fortress is a perfect home for the magical wizard.
This is our video slideshow launch of the new Southside Mavericks sports and high school identity. You can view the complete project here.
Here are some sketches for the KT Wiz Baseball Club sports identity project. Sketching is the fun because anything goes. It doesn't matter how sloppy you are - it's the idea that counts. I liked the idea of baseball and magic. I imagined a wizard flying all around - so I just had to draw it until I got it right!
Breakwater Volleyball Club gives local youth a great opportunity to play competitive volleyball year round on the coastside. Our identity celebrates the girl’s athletic abilities, competitive team spirit, and their coastal community roots.
Project Scope: Identity, brand look & feel, uniforms, apparel, website, custom font, photography
Also visit www.breakwatervolleyball.com
Southside High School in Fort Smith Arkansas decided to retire their socially outdated Rebel mascot and their Dixie fight song. They received some community backlash. However, students and faculty persevered, welcoming in a new era for their school.
We were proud to help launch the new Southside Mavericks athletics identity. This sports program was created as a fun, energetic design system for the students to use, bursting with joy and school spirit!
Project Scope: Sports identity, team uniforms, apparel, signage, on-campus experience, school spirit campaign
In 2002, and again in 2004, we recommended evolving the NFL shield. Our goal was to simplify and strengthen the logo. We updated the lettering, preserving the ‘L’ flourish, and reduced the star field to represent AFC/NFC divisions. The single star was added top center for historical context and balance.
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
Client: NFL
In 2002 we were asked to explore evolving the NFL’s AFC and NFC logos into a more unified system. Our concept was to incorporate 4 stars into each conference initial - North, South, East, West. We also recommended updating the NFL shield (2004 shield exploration shown.)
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
Client: NFL
The NFL wanted to unify the look and feel of its in-season public and broadcast calendar events. Our concept was a simple athletic feel - allowing the identity easily to coexist with team logos throughout the league.
Project Scope: Sports identity, branded logo system
Client: NFL
Just little fun in honor of Super Bowl LI. I was watching the weeklong lead up to the game, and noticed how boring the end zones were. As the highlight of the NFL season, I think they can afford to be a bit more adventurous!
Project Scope: On field graphics exploration
NBC Sports Network wanted to update the broadcast graphics for their coverage of NHL games. We created various designs to keep things fresh throughout the season.
Project Scope: Sports Identity exploration, broadcast graphics exploration
Event identities for the 2003 NBA All-Star game in Atlanta and the 2004 All Star Game in Los Angeles.
Project Scope: Sports event identity, symbol, wordmark
Client: NBA
Jenson Button was trying to decide what helmet to use for his last F1 race season. I thought why note create something new. I updated Papa Smurf a bit and made the helmet colors pink to honor his dad.
Papa Smurf's slippers would change to the host country flag for each race. Two versions of the British flag were added to the top - one normal - and a stylized speeding version.
We were asked to explore a new brand identity for the PGA Championship. We created a fun and contemporary look and feel that would appeal to a new generation of golf enthusiasts.
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration, brand look & feel exploration
The Tennesses Titans were the first NFL team Identity project we worked on. I really wanted to promote a stark contrast to the traditional multi-colored team colors. It was a finalist - but there is no silver medal in sports identity design. : )
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
The NFL Cologne Centurions were an NFL Europe team. I did a quick exploration in a few days - and was surprised when I called back a few weeks later - it had already been sent to Germany as the final logo : ))
Project Scope: Sports identity, symbol, wordmark, helmet design
Client: NFL
The NBA wanted to add a little spice to their 'I Love This Game!' slogan, so we decided to give old Jerry West a little heart for a fun and friendly brand exploration.
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
The NFL asked us to explore a new wordmark for the 49ers. Iliked the Barbary Coast feel of the existing mark - and wanted to preserve that while making the letterforms bolder.
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
We were asked to explore an identity for the inaugural launch of the NFL network in 2003. Our concept was to create a bold graphic look and feel that would work together with broadcast footage.
Project Scope: Sports identity exploration
Our sports identity designs are simple and bold - meant to fit on a cuff link - or be painted 50 feet tall on a football field.
Detail from the NFL Houston Texans sports identity. You can view the complete project here.