Logo Design for Rugby League Academy
I still recall that very first telephone conversation, being asked "do you like sport?" then very specifically "which sport?", as anyone who knows me knows that after American Football my main passion is for Rugby League, particularly the Hull Kingston Rovers and South Sydney Rabbitohs (and a very, very big soft spot for the Penrith Panthers). So when I was initially approached in 2014 to come up with some branding for a new Rugby League Academy I jumped at the opportunity.
The new Rugby League Academy was setup by the Super League players Matty Smith and Stefan Ratchford and would be run out of several locations in and around St. Helens, Warrington and Wigan. Along with the branding, I was also asked to design business stationary, leaflets and of course... a website.
It was however, and probably will only ever be, the time when I was presented with a photo of an Asics GEL-Resolution 6 E500Y 4230 tennis shoe, #TrueStory, as the proposed colour pallete for the new logo design.
The Asics GEL-Resolution 6 E500Y 4230
As with most logo design concepts, I like to take my time, formulating ideas, designing variations on a theme and the logo design process for the Future Stars Rugby League Academy was no different. I probably spend a little too much time to be honest, but when there's the added element of working on something your passionate about, it's no wonder I can often get carried away.
Logo Design Concept 01
The first logo design for the new Rugby League Academy, probably taking the Future 'Stars' concept a little too literally?
Logo Design Concept 02
Incorporating a rugby league ball into the first logo design. The whole sports badge and academy ribbon I felt at the time were ticking all the right boxes?
Logo Design Concept 03
This time incorporating a rugby league player into the first logo design. I'm sure I can come up with some kind of prize if anyone out there can tell me which former rugby league player this is? An absolute legend of the game.
Logo Design Concept 04
Another variation of that first logo design concept, this time using another rugby league player. Again, if anyone can figure out who this specific player is I'm sure I can come up with some kind of reward for the first person to email me?
Logo Design Concept 05
I'll usually try and come up with several different logo designs, contrasting styles and ideas in order to get a feel for what the client is after.
Logo Design Concept 06
When coming up with these logo designs I also had to bear in mind that the logo would need to be suitable to be used on playing shirts, training hoodies and other rugby league kit, equipment and even game balls!
Logo Design Concept 07
Maybe my love for all things US sport is too strong in this one? But I really do enjoy reviewing old concept designs and logo designs such as these, seeing how the design process evolved over the time of the project, the tweaks and adjustments that were made when refining the ideas.
Logo Design Concept 08
Using the same elements I'd been using throughout each of the logo designs, the sports badge logo design, the stars and monochrome player silhouette, along with the colour palette we'd been given. The logo design was kind of taking shape, or so I thought.
Logo Design Concept 09
A move away from the badge theme. When presenting these initial ideas to the client it was quite clear that we were on to something with this logo design.
Logo Design Concept 09b
The client wanted to see how this logo design looked on a black background. Again, it was the clients wishes for the website to have a dark theme so they wanted to see how this logo translated to a black background.
Logo Design Concept 10
With the client picking this logo design, it was now a case of refining the design, choosing an appropriate typeface and generally tightening up the final design.
Logo Design Concept 11
Working closely with the client, several iterations of the logo design were presented using various fonts and colour variations.
Logo Design Concept 12
I'll happily keep tweaking the logo design, countless times until the client is happy with the end product.
Logo Design Concept 13
I'm happy trying ideas the client might have, even if they might not actually work. Until the client can physically see the ideas sometimes, it might be a case of trying dozens of ideas, even if they don't always work.
Logo Design Concept 14
I genuinely have no idea what the thought process was behind using the raised bevel on the logo design here. I guess it does add a bit of life to the logo, but not entirely sure if it works or not?
The Primary Linear Logo Design
Here it is, the final logo design. Set out linear for use on all business stationary, banners and leaflets and all other marketing and promotional material, including the website.
The Secondary Stacked Logo Design
The final stacked logo design. I was over the moon when I first saw this used... on a game ball!
Closing statement.
