Here is a Post

Apologies for the lateness of the post. I was blindsided with a new class this Monday when our inservice began (I'm a high school teacher, for those who don't know) and I'm racing to try to get material prepared before we start classes tomorrow. I have triple the workload I had last year, so my posts may be a bit spartan for a few weeks until I can either get caught up, or decide to step aside and let someone else with more time to dedicate to HJC take my spot.

Anyway, moving on.

Congratulations to J3 on winning the coveted HJC Open! That's a tough tournament to win, both in terms of the quality of competition and the rapidity in which you must create a winning concept. I respect anyone who can get through to the end.

We have a really cool competition going for reviving obscure teams that only lasted one year! Click the banner above for details.

Go do that vote thing.

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COTW July 22-28 vote (ends Friday @ noon Eastern)

365 Club entries (due Friday @ noon Eastern)

Orlando Solar Bears Concept - DTConcepts

Positives: The colors are so eye-popping, especially against the striping in the presentation.  Emphasizing purple is a good choice

Negatives: It's too traditional. The logo is loud, putting it against chest stripes gets both lost. It's overwhelming. Go with something more organic and modern. Numbers are a little too large.

Overall: Colors look great, but a more modern design would help. (7/10)

Toledo Walleye Concept - DTConcepts

Positives: Shoulder stripes look great. Striping as a whole works well. Colors are balanced. Presentation is clean. 

Negatives: Logo is too big. Numbers, as mentioned above, are also a bit too big. Also, don't trap yourself into using just one number font. It will cheapen your work, and make it feel repetitive.

Overall: Proportional issues aside, this is a good set. (8/10)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Stadium Series Concept - Andrew W.

Positives: The oft-conceptualized "Battle of Pennsylvania" outdoor game could make for some great jerseys. Striping patterns look great on both jerseys. I especially like the Penguins with angled striping. Putting both teams in color jerseys was an interesting choice, but with the Penguins in gold, it works. Keystone captain/alt. captain patches are a nice touch. Execution and presentation looks good. I really love the collars.

Negatives: Not sold on the pant stripes for the Penguins. I'd have to see it all together. Putting both teams in black helmets is a bad decision. The Penguins must have gold helmets here for this to work.

Overall: This would be a fun game to watch, both aesthetically and the game itself. (8.5/10)

Toronto Maple Leafs Concept - Andrew W.

Positives: Sleeve numbers on the shoulders is an interesting choice; it's a trendy move these days. Striping on both the home and away are close to what I would call the ideal. The third is an intriguing nod to the Toronto St. Pats. Andrew modified the new Toronto logo to fit the minimalist theme for that jersey. Notice the third is the only one without a lace-up collar. It works well. Execution is beautiful.

Negatives: Presentation feels crowded. Can feel a little too expected.

Overall: Near perfect. (9/10) COTW nomination from me!

Winnipeg Jets Concept - Lucas D.

Positives: The stitching is the main attraction here. The angular stitching patterns bring up mental images of stealth fighters; very appropriate. The Jets logo looks great against chest striping. Presentation is clean. HJC Open logo is used and credited properly.

Negatives: No shoulder patches on the back of the dark jersey.

Overall: At first glance, it looks traditional, but there are some very modern details. Stitching is phenomenal. Unfortunate execution error. (8.5/10)

Creighton Blue Jays Concept - Ryan C.

Positives: Creighton has such a beautiful logo. Setting it against a simple chest stripe was a good choice. The arm striping compliments the chest/hem stripe, but is different enough to not feel repetitive. Typeface fits perfectly, a strength of Ryan's designs. Execution and presentation are flawless.

Negatives: I think I would prefer the collars left a solid color. White on the dark jersey, dark blue on the light jersey. Typeface fits, but I've seen it on many of Ryan's concepts. Repetition is not conducive to creativity.

Overall: A very sharp set to go with a phenomenal logo. (8.5/10)

New Orleans Privateers Concept - Ryan C.

Positives: The typeface fits the logo perfectly I had never heard of this team, but I really like their logo set. Execution and presentation are clean.

Negatives: Disappointed to see that Ryan left the collar the same on both jerseys, and to see this striping pattern again. Too often, Ryan uses this double-stripe pattern with no hem stripe. I feel like I've seen it dozens of times, the problem is that they all blend together in my memory. This logo set begs to be paired with something aggressive and organic, but instead it gets the same old double-stripe pattern. There's simplicity, and then there's self-derivative boilerplate design. This is the latter. You're capable of more, Ryan.

Overall: I've already forgotten it. (6/10)