Thursday: Back on Campus

It's that time of year, folks!

All across North America, college kids (myself included) are settling back into their dorms and braving the cold weather as they travel across campus to lecture after lecture.

College kids, don't let this discourage you. I'll still have the time for my weekly posts and hopefully at least a little concept work now that I picked up Affinity Designer this Christmas. That's my message for you all today: No matter where you are in life (old, young, bored, exuberant) take some time to do the things you love each day. 

Maybe what you love is concept art? We'd certainly appreciate the extra content if that's the case.

Happen to love logo design? You're in luck. Take some time tonight and cultivate that love by sending in a COTY Logo entry before the competition ends tomorrow afternoon. We'd love to see what you've got! 

As usual don't forget our regular concept of the week vote and the COTW December vote. Both polls can be found on the right side of the page. 

REMINDERS:

COTW Dec 29-Jan 4 vote (ends Friday @ noon ET)

COTW December vote (ends Friday @ noon ET)

COTY Logo entries (due Friday @ noon ET)

On to the Concepts!

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Noah B.- Freemantle Dockers (AFL)

The Good: 

• Beautiful logo choice here the current Dockers' primary works great as a shoulder patch and the chest logo really thrives in the spotlight
• Not something I'd ever have expected but a Purple-Red-Green color palet is a beautiful thing
• Half and half looks almost never look good, but here we have an exception with the idea working due to a less is more approach
• One-color white numbers look great and break up the color heavy look

The Bad:

• Not in love with the way the gloves are handled here, but I'll admit it's growing on me the more I look at the concept

The Ugly (Execution Issues):

• As a number of the other writers have mentioned, it'd be nice to have a side view of the pants. Especially here so we can see if the stripes are outlined on both sides or only one to match the jersey striping

Overall Rating: 9.25/10

If there's any way to bounce back from an F grade earlier in the week, this is certainly it. Masterful work, Noah. 

Noah K.- Akron Zips (NCAA)

The Good: 

• Really interesting striping pattern for the Zips here from Noah K. I always try to give props for originality
• Zippy the Roo Alternate is really fun to see in the concept world. Very unique idea and great detail with the striping only one arm and leg...

The Bad:

• ...What sours the alt for me is practicality. A team would have to be quite brave to go into battle sporting such a look. Not sure why there's two separate helmets for one jersey and is that a hoodie pocket on the front of jersey? My goodness, giving a whole new meaning to the term 'hockey sweater' 
• While I like the originality in the main set, I'd love to see something on the concept outlining it's inspiration. Is it something that's iconic in Akron? Or is it just something you wanted to try? If it's the latter, it has significantly less of an impact.
• Logo choice leaves a lot to be desired in the primaries. Any of the other logos on the right side would work better than the horizontally-focused word mark you have there currently
• Thick white collars on each jersey are out of place given the minimal white in the striping

The Ugly (Execution Issues):

• While I like the originality in the main set, I'd love to see something on the concept outlining it's inspiration. Is it something that's iconic in Akron? Or is it just something you wanted to try? If it's the latter, it has significantly less of an impact.

Overall Rating: 6.75/10

A look that swings for the fences, but unfortunately falls foul.

TC Moore.- 2019 Winter Classic

The Good: 

• TC takes us outdoors with a wonderful recreation of the Bruins' late 1920's set and a new look for the Hawks. Shoulder numbers look great on the Bruins jersey.
• Love the Hawks' black, cream and deep red scheme from their original WC jerseys
• Striping patterns on both are unique and pants for both sets look great

The Bad:

• Socks really lose me on this set. I think the bruins would look much better with their 30's socks to insert some more yellow for added cohesiveness. Hawks socks would fit a lot better if they were simply black with the same striping pattern.
• 2 Color Hawks logo looks good. Although the coloring might cause controversy given the backlash against the MLB's Cleveland Indians and their Chief Wahoo logo. 

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

If we all have to see the Hawks go outdoors again, Back in Black may certainly be the way to go and TC makes a strong case for it here.

Noah B. rides the road to redemption this week with his Freemont Dockers concept taking home the COTW Nomination.

Got Questions? Send 'em our way by stuffing the HJC Mailbag.