Buffalo Sabres
by humanot
In March 2003, the ownership of the Buffalo Sabres was in the air. I created a series of identity concepts for the prospective new owner. An online petition was created and signed by 13,000 fans wanting to see these designs realized.
Number of views: 4780
Dated Submitted: Jan. 25 '07
Added to Gallery: Jan. 31 '07
As seen on: The New Blue and Gold Project

Jan. 25 '07

logomotive said:

This design was done in 1970's. minus the grunge look. What are you trying to say?


Jan. 25 '07

humanot said:

for reference, here is the original:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/Buffalosabreslogo80s.gif/150px-Buffalosabreslogo80s.gif


Jan. 29 '07

nicfit said:

I hate to be a Norwood here Humanot, but if they were looking for a new logo to represent the franchise why would they go back to something that they've already done? Sure yours is modernized a bit, but there's no real difference other than it's made in illustrator and it has some shading.

I hate the current Sabres 'angry gerbil' logo, and i do think yours is cool, but I can see why they wouldn't want to go back to the older style just to keep up with the times...that's why Throwback Jersey day was created ;) .

BTW, i'm a huge sabres fan...seriously


Jan. 30 '07

humanot said:

nicfit, you're question is totally fair.

For much of that explanation, you can check out what I wrote on the project site here: http://newblueandgold.celsiusdesign.net/logos

I think something iconic and timeless is always far more valuable than something cartoony and trendy. Many clubs aren't interested in having patience, or simply don't have the knowledge to create a brand awareness and attachment like that of the Detroit Red Wings, or any of the original 6 teams (who have all, along the way found ways to update their mark to keep it relevant without ever sacrificing any of the history or tradition). They would prefer the much shorter and easier financial result that is associated with a trendy logo, despite the fact that it completely deteriorates their brand allegiance.

Many clients have a 5 year business plan that they are trying to justify and really, thats all that concerns them. Its sick, but thats why logos, jerseys and colors are constantly changing. The bigger picture is lost .. and as such, we see trends dominate the market, not good design.


Jan. 30 '07

nicfit said:

i completely agree with your points here. And I commend you for your effort to keep the Sabres 'vintage' logo. I'll personally always associate the sabres with that older style.

Unforutunately, the Sabres, being a losing franchise for the past 30 years (and i mean by not winning a stanley cup only), the hockey fan nation (not just Western New York) can't have a significant attachment to their older logo.

I'm sure if you were to take a poll after last season's playoffs, nationwide, the red and black buffalo would have more marketability than either the old logo or the 'angry gerbil'.

So, although i agree that clients sometimes hold to a '5 year business plan', the sabres have not a whole lot of choice other than to completely reinvent the logo to sell some more merchandise...not ticket sales, but merch. That's where they make the extra money (i'm sure you know this).

It's unfortunate that this year the Sabres have one of the worst logos in the league, and they might just get that cup. So that horrible logo that they've adopted will be associated nation wide...good for the franchise, bad for us fans ;)


Feb. 01 '07

project_underwear said:

I think that the reformed old logo is slick. I for one enjoy that you have updated the mark with modern design trends easily dating it to this time without losing the traditional feel.

In sports in general it's common for teams to adapt to their older styles once they have exercised a plethora of crap. Although one of my favorite logos in hockey was the NY Islanders fisherman and that got scrapped for their retro dated look. And unfortunately they didn't have someone like you to breathe life back into it. The NY Jets and the Giants did this as well. I think it's a overall new york design trend, haha.

All in all, great job I am infatuated with sports identities and would love to get into that game. I think this mark kicks ass and would love a jersey to wear!


Feb. 02 '07

sisudesigns said:

Unfortunately.. I really have a porblem with claiming that its your logo when the majority of the artwork in that logo is not yours. It is the original witth some photoshop vectors placed on top of it. If you want to discuss this just as a logo conversation... like the Buffalo Sabres needs to go back to their old logo... Yea sure I agree their original jerseys in the 70s and even early 90s I love. I hate what they have now they didn't need it and its not helping them sell more tickets.

But seriously its not yours its like someone working for coke and adding water drops to a logo and saying its theirs..

Joe


Feb. 04 '07

humanot said:

Wow Joe, thats a pretty fair argument you got there. Since 'the majority of artwork' isn't mine, and all I'm doing is adding 'photoshop vectors' (lord knows I love doing my vector work in photoshop) ... I think we should go tell the boys at Futurebrand that all they did for the United Way in taking this:

http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/2004/UnitedWay_old.jpg
to this:
http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/2004/united_way.gif

and for Intel, in bringing these:

http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/2006/intel_old_80.gif
http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/2006/Intel_Inside_100.gif
to this place:
http://www.identityworks.com/reviews/2006/intel_107_notag.gif

was just add water drops to a coke can.

While we're at it lets take a trip up to Seattle to tell the Seahawks how much time they wasted when they turned this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=995
into this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=990

It might be a bit chilly up in Seattle though, so lets head down to Arizona and scold the Cardinals for trying to pull one over on us when they changed from this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=290
to this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=2641

But Joe, its kind of dry in Phoenix ... so maybe we hit the beach. We can swing by Miami and tell the Dolphins how me and you, we're no suckers ... we're not falling for anything ... especially not when they turned this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=870
into this:
http://sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=875

Be sure to bring your business card with you though, because I'm sure after you spit in the face of every designer, art director, illustrator and brand strategist who worked on these extremely succesful projects, you can tell them all exactly how it is that you would have handled it so much better.

You can educate them on the amazing way you, a knowledgable communication designer and apparently, brand specialist, would have been able to retain all their brand history and value, bring their company or team into a more modern era with a smooth transition, and also keep their previous identities still relevant (as you can't simply REPLACE everything already in existence), and you would be able to do it all by creating your OWN ARTWORK, not just throwing 'photoshop vectors' on top of their old identities ... the way all those OTHER people did.

So what do ya say Joe ... lets take a trip together ... I'm sure it won't end up in tragedy.


Feb. 04 '07

humanot said:

oh, but first Joe ... could you please point out one single line, or even just one pixel which is 'not mine' ... here i'll give you a nice big picture to compare the two ... let me know when you find one:

http://www.newblueandgold.com/logos/i/old_new.jpg


Feb. 04 '07

sisudesigns said:

My problem is that you're not the only one that influenced this design and the original creator of the original layout is predominately what what you got your logo from.

" by humanot
I created a series of identity concepts for the prospective new owner. "

Ok you admit that the original and the new is almost 100% executionally the same layout, with a modernized vector treatment I'll give you that, as far as a finished piece I like the buffalo sabres old logo, but you really should have just cited that it wasn't yours originally rather than laying claim to it. And lastly I returned your email, but if you want to leave vague threats on a posting "I'm sure it wond end up in tragedy." Then you sir can just go straight to hell.


Feb. 04 '07

ClimaxDesigns said:

ok, ok settle down in here, or old David might have to show up and start kicking a#$ and taking names...


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