Washington NFL Franchise Retires Name and Logo

[Derek 228]

Looks like Jack Sparrow grew a red beard and got a job as a short order cook at a diner.

[agentrygraphics 388]

this has to be a joke, right?

[MJWalker45 4,887]

I understand not wanting to look exactly like the Jack on a deck of playing cards but that would be an improvement over this guy.

[Ferdinand Cesarano 4,474]

I am not getting the criticism of this logo.  To me it instantly evokes the thing that it is referring to, without copying that thing exactly.  It is a fine interpretation, done in a style that incorporates just enough fierceness, though not an excessive amount.  The more I look at it, the more I like it. 

[GriffinM6 1,246]

4 minutes ago, Ferdinand Cesarano said:

I am not getting the criticism of this logo.  To me it instantly evokes the thing that it is referring to, without copying that thing exactly.  It is a fine interpretation, done in a style that incorporates just enough fierceness, though not an excessive amount.  The more I look at it, the more I like it. 

I agree. I just wish the lines and everything looked smoother. Right now it seems kind of jagged and a bit pixelated. 

[NYC Cosmos 48]

It reminds me of Jethro Tull.

[andrewharrington 4,273]

8 minutes ago, Ferdinand Cesarano said:

I am not getting the criticism of this logo.  To me it instantly evokes the thing that it is referring to, without copying that thing exactly.  It is a fine interpretation, done in a style that incorporates just enough fierceness, though not an excessive amount.  The more I look at it, the more I like it. 

 

It evokes the right things, but it’s a truly awful drawing. The art from a playing card shows depth, nuance of form, graphic simplicity, etc. This honestly looks like it was drawn by someone who doesn’t know that you can use Bézier handles to create curves in drawing software. It shows a complete lack of understanding the principles of visual design and the tools used to create it.

[Skycast 192]

I'm no graphic expert by a long shot, but looks like it was done in Paint in the 90's.

[McCall 1,116]

That is the biggest, Nike (not so)Swoosh(-iest) eyebrow I've ever seen. And are those supposed to be bags under his eyes or eyeblack? If the face were done a little better, everything else, as is, would be elevated. Although the point of the back of the hair going beyond the wordmark causing the grey keyline to jet out is awkward and unappealing. Plus, did they really need to put the suits of the cards like that? Looks like it was just thrown in there to fill space.

[Ferdinand Cesarano 4,474]

1 hour ago, andrewharrington said:

It evokes the right things, but it’s a truly awful drawing. The art from a playing card shows depth, nuance of form, graphic simplicity, etc. This honestly looks like it was drawn by someone who doesn’t know that you can use Bézier handles to create curves in drawing software. It shows a complete lack of understanding the principles of visual design and the tools used to create it.

 

The use of sharp angles is more easily explained as a perfectly valid artistic choice. 

[Jezus_Ghoti 1,083]

lol looks like an MS Paint concept I made when I was 15.

[AgentColon2 2,328]

Will this team score 21 or

bust.

[GFB 1,958]

4 hours ago, Ferdinand Cesarano said:

 

The use of sharp angles is more easily explained as a perfectly valid artistic choice. 

 

It’s not the style that’s the issue. It’s the fact that whoever illustrated this has no idea what the proportions of a human head are or how to do a “playing card” inspired logo in a “sports logo” style.

 

Take this @sparky chewbarky concept for example. Immediately, you can tell that this logo is inspired by a playing card, but you can also see that this that SC has a firm grasp of what he’s trying to do. The outline weights are monoline and consistent (just like a playing card), some features are exaggerated but the general proportions of the head are correct, and the composition of the entire logo is strong.

 

[Ark 2,479]

I like the logo *shrug*

 

The MS Paint comments are total BS by the way.

[sleuthpanther 615]

It would be a good start for a first-time poster on the boards. But for a professional organization of any kind, it’s not polished enough by any means.

[ChicagoOakland 1,196]

Glad to see Rothbart got another job after The Swan Princess stopped being financially viable enough for sequels.

[andrewharrington 4,273]

8 hours ago, Ferdinand Cesarano said:

 

The use of sharp angles is more easily explained as a perfectly valid artistic choice. 

 

Of course it’s a valid artistic choice, but I think that implies that there’s a good reason behind it. Here’s what they have to say:

 

“The dynamic angles in the logo represent a hard-set determination and attitude meant to intimidate anyone who dares to oppose. The logo portrays the team’s identity and the Embodiment of a tough city with an independent streak looking to dominate the AFL with grit and confidence.”

 

That’s pretty conceptually bare if you ask me (not to mention cringe-inducing to anyone who writes copy).

 

Also, if the angular style is such an important artistic choice, wouldn’t a good designer have illustrated the rest of the card in the same style rather than haphazardly pasting this polygonal head on top of a richly detailed, curvaceous and ornamental illustration of a suit card? I mean, look at the keyline around the head in the bottom section! It literally looks pasted on top of a traditional playing card with no attempt made to integrate it into the illustration (and those hearts!).

 

 

That’s beside the point, though. The angular design language isn’t the problem; it’s the execution. Simplified, geometric illustration is having a moment, and there are people absolutely nailing that style, so I know for a fact this could have been stunning. Instead, it fell completely flat (pun intended).

 

 

[Sodboy13 5,049]

@andrewharrington, is that playing card design you posted available as an actual deck?

[andrewharrington 4,273]

9 minutes ago, Sodboy13 said:

@andrewharrington, is that playing card design you posted available as an actual deck?

 

Yeah, but I think it’s only available as part of this kit with the stamp set and instructions detailing how to perform the tricks:

 

USPS “The Art of Magic.”

[Ferdinand Cesarano 4,474]

6 hours ago, andrewharrington said:

Also, if the angular style is such an important artistic choice, wouldn’t a good designer have illustrated the rest of the card in the same style rather than haphazardly pasting this polygonal head on top of a richly detailed, curvaceous and ornamental illustration of a suit card? I mean, look at the keyline around the head in the bottom section! It literally looks pasted on top of a traditional playing card with no attempt made to integrate it into the illustration ....

 

That is a good point; I do see that flaw. The outlines on the rest of the card and on the heart should be as thick as the lines in the head logo.

 

 

6 hours ago, andrewharrington said:

(and those hearts!)

 

If you are implying that there is something wrong with the shape of the heart, then I will disagree. That's how a heart looks in the graphical universe of this logo.