Thursday: Last Post of the Year

Hello once again guys and welcome back!

So a lot has been said about this already, and most of it would just be echoing other people at this point, so I'm not going to talk too much about it. Just a quick thank you to both Dylans, who if you haven't heard are stepping down as writers, for helping me and others with their concept adventures while writing here. Also, good luck in life to both of you and good luck to Dbro at the new job you mentioned yesterday, it sounds like a dream job for someone into graphic design and jersey design. I hope it goes well!

Fun fact: I'm pretty sure they've both been writing for the blog longer than I've been reading it. I know Dbro has, and for Dylan N., I guess you'd have to go by his first writing tenure for that one.

Fun fact #2: At the beginning of this writing tenure for Dylan N., I was actually one of the people who he beat out to earn the writing spot. Fortunately for me another one opened up soon after and I got picked for that one, and here I am.

With these departures means we have a few writing spots open. Do you think you can replace them? Well why not apply to be the new writer then? I can tell you from personal experience it's fun, and if you do want to be the writer go ahead and apply, you have nothing to lose by doing so.

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So it's been a while...but I'm up in the COTW vote again...maybe you should go give me a vote...

Okay I'm just kidding of course, but you should still go vote, but just for whose concept you think is best. All of the concepts this week could easily win in my opinion, I only haven't voted yet because I don't know who to vote for yet, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. And while you're at it why not redesign the lackluster look of the Olympiques and enter it into our competition?

COTW Dec 20-26 vote (ends Friday @ 4:30pm Eastern)

Olympiques Competition entries (due Friday @ 4:30pm Eastern)

Olympiques entries:

Brooks F.

Alan H.

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So I'm going to try a slightly different writing style this week. Usually on concepts there are some areas that need more focus than others, so I'm going to use a style that's similar to the one that I used to use, and that Jack still uses, and rather than focusing on certain specific areas I'll highlight ones that need more focus, wether it be in a good or bad way. I see no harm in trying it at least. On that note, let's go.

Artem S. - Cleveland Barons

Design: It's a simple design that calls back to the original Barons, it looks good

Colors: The black and red blend together a bit, most specifically: on the cuff design on the road jersey. It's not too bad, and could be much worse, and could also possibly be better in a real life application, but it's still something to look out for.

Idea: While it's nothing new, it's always cool to see concepts for defunct teams

Logos: This could easily come down to just personal opinion, but I think the first alternate logo would be better as a primary (Ohio state with the B inside). 

Designer stuff: Sorry for the awkward name, I'm not sure what to call this yet. Anyways you need to ADD ID to the image and also CREDIT THE LOGOS that aren't official logos and that you didn't design. The only reason I'm not "refusing" to review the concept because of the logo crediting issue is because this concept may have been sent in before you had the chance to add it after a previous review. You wouldn't want your work stolen either, so you need to credit someone if you decide to use their logo.

Overall: Believable design for if they came back, and not a bad one either (8/10)

Artem S. - Seattle Metropolitans

Striping: Definitely a solid design that fits the vintage feel this design is supposed to have. I'd continue the stripe the whole way around though.

Colors: I love this color scheme. It's greatly underused. Off the top of my head the only pro team I can think who uses it is the Oakland A's, and the former Seattle Supersonics. After doing a small bit of research too the only other team I found was the Green Bay Packers. This would be a unique scheme for sure, especially for a hockey team.

Realism: I could definitely see this as a modern day incarnation of the team.

Designer stuff: Same as the last concept

Overall: If this was used for an expansion team to Seattle, I wouldn't be upset at all. (8.5/10)

Dylan T. - Seattle Metropolitans

Colors: As apposed to the last Metropolitans concept, these colors stay truer to the former team itself. I think the vintage white is a good touch for a vintage based concept like this, and especially using it for the road jersey is something that should be done more.

Striping: Simple design that also stays true to their previous design. I see no flaws in that.

Numbers: I don't think an outline on the numbers would hurt. I don't think they're bad as they are either though.

Overall: Simple design, which usually results in a good concept, like it does here (8/10)

Ben M. - Toronto Maple Leafs

Idea: With news of the redesign that's coming there are a lot of people making concepts for them now, including myself. It's always cool to see so many people's takes on them.

Execution: The name is too small and the number looks ever so slightly small too. TV numbers are fine though. The vertical stitching should also stop at the hem striping.

Logos: This concept makes good use of McElroy's logo, which is one of my favorites when it comes to the concept logos I've seen for them.

Design: It looks like it's taking from the '67 design and putting a twist on it. I'm personally not a fan of stripes being cut off by a full yoke, especially on this side of the yoke. If you had the stripes outside of the yoke and colored the yoke I think it'd have a better look to it overall.

Overall: Not a bad look at all but it could use some refining (7/10)

Jared L. - Toronto Maple Leafs

Idea: Same thing as above

Colors: Adding black is an interesting move that I think could work. I don't think it was the right move here. The silver you added was a better move though, but I can't imagine it being a realistic one.

Execution: Everything on the image is a bit blurry, but fortunately not enough to absolutely ruin the concept. The logo is also much too large, and the name on the back would be hard to read with only an outline on it.

Design: I commend you for going out of the box with the modern/futuristic fonts but they don't really work here. The side panels don't work at all either, the hem striping is just fine. Hem trim and hem striping do not go together on edge jerseys either, pick one or the other or else you'll have an awkward and pretty bad look.

Overall: I think you have a few ideas combatting each other here. Simplify it and you'll have a much better look. (5.5/10)

Taylor R. - San Jose Sharks

Colors: My view on the Sharks when it comes to colors is that they should drop orange and go back to gray/silver. However I also believe that if they go orange, they should go a bit more all out with it, like this concept does.

Striping: Simple and calls back to their regular jerseys along with the original edge set. The white works well to keep the black and teal from bleeding too much in the striping.

Realism: I honestly doubt the Sharks would do something like this, but if they did this could easily be a top pick.

Design: I'm not sure if this would fall better into colors or not, but I think the jersey could use more teal, however you'd want to add it. A yoke or colored hem/cuffs could look good.

Overall: Simple and great look. (9/10) and my COTW nomination.

And that's a wrap for today. Did you guys like the new writing style? Let me know, I did myself. I hope your holidays have been well to you all and happy new years as well! I hope you enjoyed the post, thanks for reading, and I'll see you all next week year.