Project 305cHL

Well, let's get this blog started.

Eggplant & Jade
The Mighty Ducks

As a graphic designer and a die hard hockey fan, I can't help but always wonder, 'What If..' when I watch an NHL game. What if The Ducks went back to their original color scheme? What if The Hurricanes embraced the fact that they stand on the carcass of the dead Whalers franchise? What if the Flames went back to their roots (and I'm not talking barber pole roots)?

These questions, and others are always on my mind and one day I finally thought, "What if I took a stab at re-designing an NHL team's jersey set?" One thing led to another and soon I had re-designed all 30 NHL teams. One home jersey, one away jersey and one alternate jersey for a combined 90 jerseys... Yeah, it got out of hand fast.

Once I got started, I knew that I had to lay out some ground rules for re-designing each franchise. 

• Take into account the team's entire history when re-designing the jersey. For example, if I am re-designing The Colorado Avalanche, then I must include The Quebec Nordiques because Quebec was the original franchise.
• The color palate is wide open. If I think the current colors don't work, then I'm changing them to fit either the location of the team or the name of the team.
• Do not change the logos. I will have to use the logos that are provided for me. I can not pretend that I can make a better logo the franchise already has. Using the team's entire logo history, I will chose which logo works best for the team and only alter it with my new color scheme.
• This isn't so much a rule, but more of a guideline; If the jersey, color scheme and logo set work for the hockey team, then leave it alone. There are a couple of teams in the NHL that have it right when it comes to design and I wont pretend that I have a better solution for them. If it works, keep it.

The Hartford Whalers

Along with these jerseys, I have written about each decision I made in creating the re-imagined franchise. Each description gives you a brief history lesson on the team, critiques on the current color scheme, current home/away jersey design and current alternate jersey design. Accompanying the current critiques are critiques of my own work. I try not to come across as a know-it-all so, there's no way that I can say my re-designs are the only way to go. These are just options for the current clubs while trying to tie history into each jersey.

Finally, this project needed a name. Our small design and web development company is called The 305 Creative Company. So, it's only natural to call this  The 305 Creative Hockey League Project, 305cHL for short. Since I am re-designing but not re-branding the entire league, I'll have to steal the idea of 'Re-Imagining the NHL'. (I wish I knew which blog I was reading to give credit to the people that came up with the title. If I find it, I will give full credit for the name.)

So, very soon, we will be releasing each team in The 305cHL and can't wait for people to either ignore us, rip us apart or actually comment on the designs.

Images and historical information used in The 305cHL Project come from Icethetics, Chris Creamer's Sports Logos and The Hockey Uniform Database.

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I am a Graphic Designer that graduated from UMASS: Dartmouth in 2007 with a BA and currently own/operate The 305 Creative Company. For more information, visit us at 305c or email us. We love to hear your feedback.