*Update* Raptors re-branding v.1 - Focus Group

[kiddy*jordan]

i know u are primarily working on a huskies rebrand but could u do a raptors version of these jerseys and logo in red and white... i think it would be cool to see a side-by-side comparison...i could see this design working for our current team name

[Hendrix]

Lol. This is the second time I've seen someone respond to the Huskies name with the idiotic notion that players will suddenly think Toronto is colder than it actually is. They've all been here before. Do people really think they are stupid enough to suddenly change their opinion of the city based on the name of a sports team? lol

That is a lot of "lol'ing" for someone arguing against a fictional argument that I did not say.

Do you not think that connotation matters when they are trying to 'brand' their product?

[basketball royalty]

So you guys want to get rid of the jurassic park fad Raptors and replace it with a Game of Thrones fad Huskies?

[Los Manos]

My thoughts..

The Script is pretty cool, although I do dislike the makings on the upper portion of the H, I dont think its needed. The other markings work for me.


The Husky logo is an issue for me on a number of levels.

Making the GoT connection that quickly makes it an automatic fail (fad, trendy)

The idea of the Net incorporation was great, except it looks like scales.

It is too "scary" small kids wont identify with it.. the eyes have to be intense, not angry/scary

The larger logos are a great idea, the one on the right has a very fleur d' lis aspect.. was this intentional?


The script I was hoping you would go for was more along the lines of WW2 nose art...



I like the direction your headed, for a first draft I would say you are well on your way.



To the poster who shared his friends Husky logo on instagram... It is a great drawing, never could it be a sports team logo... too busy, too much detail (good luck trying to embroider that).. the concept is cool and could be used for marketing but not as the logo...

I'm not entirely sold on the script style I've used either and interested to try out a few different styles. The furry flourishes (for want of a better term) do need improvement but I think it can work. I like it being such a simple association to the animal in the logotype in that manner without needing to over express it but it definitely needs tweaking. I haven't looked at WW2 nose art when researching but it's a great connection and definitely something I'm going to take a look at because it fits right into the post-war era when the team was founded.

Yep the GoT similarities are just simply there and rightly so because it was clearly a large inspiration, along with a bunch of other medieval wolf/hound illustrations because I want it to convey that emotion. I'm a huge fan of the show but I actually didn't expect so many to instantly make the connection but that's exactly what this focus group is for. I don't totally agree that it's too scary for kids but it is close to that line. Like others have said though the jaw line and especially teeth need to far more resemble a husky and figure out a cleverer way to incorporate the net (or just get rid of it). But overall it's the clear main issue at this stage and will see a lot of change.

The third logo, basketball/maple leaf/fleur d'lis really came together by accident. I was trying to work in a maple leaf (which I had originally had in the Husky head without the net) into the basketball. I was aware how many fans feel though about just slapping a maple leaf on a uniform for the sake of it so rather than the standard pointed maple leaf, took note from the early Maple Leaf logos with the rounded leaves. And then once together and tweaked I did notice the possible fleur d'lis interpretation. Just a happy accident.

[Los Manos]

The Husky logo still needs a lot of work but just to show it's not identical to the Stark Direwolf Banner:

Ok clearly there are differences, I guess I am just a G.O.T nut.

Please don't take it the wrong way but I think you should move away from the direwolf template and design something of your own for the Husky logo.

I think if you keep that template it will always bring people back to G.O.T based on the way it looks (side view, snarling teeth and the fur).

I love the blue and white though.

Maybe something along the lines of the UCONN.

Not at all, these are exactly the issues I'm hoping this thread highlights along the way.

I think the consensus is clear on this one, it needs to be completely reworked.

[StMikes31]

The Husky to me should be a little more classic.

Take out the teeth - do something like the Blue Jays where they got rid of the Angry and just had a normal blue jay.

[Raps in 4]

I don't totally agree that it's too scary for kids but it is close to that line. Like others have said though the jaw line and especially teeth need to far more resemble a husky

Scary for kids?

Maybe if the child is a few months old.

I don't agree that it should be less ferocious. Huskies can be vicious animals. A more tame look would perpetuate the stereotype that we're a soft team. The biggest complaint people had with the husky theme was that it was too friendly. I think your logo hits the sweet spot.

[gerrit4]

Love the designs. I'd actually love to see the bottom right logo as the centrepiece of the jersey (instead of just the wordmark), but that's pretty awesome they way you have it.

[Roland Brice]

The logo could be a lot meaner. I'd say a head on face of a Husky would be amazing. But those jerseys are hot, I'd buy one of those the first day they came out. As soon as I saw them I said to myself there's no way that's not the best idea MLSE would have on their table. Maybe even do a Raptors version just in case they don't want the name change. I'd LOVE to have to jerseys on the shelves.

[Raptorfan2012]

I see the Direwolf connection too (which is kind of cool, but probably won't fly with the NBA). Good try though. The uniforms look okay.

[JohnnyFlame]

There is a lot of potential for a rebrand complete with new name and jerseys. Your design just confirms that. I really like the whole concept of moving as far away from the past as possible. New everything from CEO to the GM, players, jerseys, name and anything else as well. Now if I could just get the Doc to remove the memories of watching them it would be awesome.

[Viatical]

Los Manos, the Hands of Fate, your work is amazing. Please keep it up!


lol @ the blue Game of Thrones wolf's head. They'd have to get the licensing on the art to use it verbatim, but not for something similar to it.

[MEDIC]

I like your work, and this really doesn't have anything do with your work. But, I really don't like the name 'Huskies'. Some of Toronto's biggest problems have been the perception around the league that it is cold. Some of the first things that pop into my head when I think of 'Huskies' is 'cold', 'north', 'Minnesota Timberwolves'. It seems (to me atleast) to carry some negative connotations, that we really probably don't want to emphasize, and is similar to the Timberwolves.

I think the Raptors mascot is awesome, and the name is perfectly fine. At this point, who cares if it came from a movie? It's as good a name as any.

All that said, as far as 'Huskies' logos go, I think you did a great job.

Let's name our team the Toronto tropical islands. Free agents will think of warm weather, sand and such. We'll be the new Miami heat.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

LOL.

I hear ya. People need this idea out of their heads that the name representing the franchise will somehow affect free agency.

[KnickKiller]

Amazing work.

[Hassassin]

I like your work, and this really doesn't have anything do with your work. But, I really don't like the name 'Huskies'. Some of Toronto's biggest problems have been the perception around the league that it is cold. Some of the first things that pop into my head when I think of 'Huskies' is 'cold', 'north', 'Minnesota Timberwolves'. It seems (to me atleast) to carry some negative connotations, that we really probably don't want to emphasize, and is similar to the Timberwolves.

I think the Raptors mascot is awesome, and the name is perfectly fine. At this point, who cares if it came from a movie? It's as good a name as any.

All that said, as far as 'Huskies' logos go, I think you did a great job.

Let's name our team the Toronto tropical islands. Free agents will think of warm weather, sand and such. We'll be the new Miami heat.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

or Toronto White Vegas

[22haytham22]

Impressive...logo needs a bit more work but love the clean and simple jerseys

[goodvillain]

You mf'er you beat me to it. I pretty much had the same Huskies Idea with the handwritten script, Royal blue and white with no backdrop or outline. Kinda like the KC Royals.

Other than the collar and waistband this is perfect.

[postup]

Very impressive work, OP.

I love the colours and simplicity of the jersey, but agree with others that the font is a bit too "feminine" for a men's basketball team.

In general, not a fan of changing the logo altogether. I'd rather see a redesign with the Raptors logo in your colours.

For what it's worth, when I mentioned the potential of changing the name to my wife, first comment was, "About time." When I told her it might be Huskies, immediate response was,"That's just stupid."

Not a huge fan of the belt shorts and doubt they would sell well.

[Rapz]

Nice design work!

However I hate the name change, Raptors is one of the coolest names in NBA, by far.

[City Wok Guy]

At first I was opposed to the idea of changing our name, but after seeing the logo you came up with and it reminding me of the dire wolves from game of thrones I started to change my mind. Then I started googling pictures of huskies, and now I think I'm officially on the "change the team name" bandwagon.