New Orleans New Logo

From: patheos.com

New Orleans has recently completely changed their look from the Hornets to the Pelicans.  Moving away from the fun colored and non scary look of the hornet to a more intense dark colored and aggressive looking pelican.  According to the team's website (www.nba.com/hornets/new-orleans-pelicans-logos-unveiled), the pelican was used because of its declaration as the state bird and is symbolized as a skilled hunter and loyal protector and possesses speed, precision and resourcefulness unmatched by others within its species.  As for the colors--the blue stand for the state of Louisiana, the gold represents the spirited life of the city and the red was used for fraternity, one blood or union. 

From: nba.com/hornets

From:  hornets247.com

I personally like the new logo as a logo in itself.  All the elements mesh together well into a single unit and nothing looks out of place.  But am slightly saddened by the complete transformation of the logo going from a fun cartoon to a serious and mean looking logo.  It gives the team more of a serious aggressive look that to me should be shown more through the teams performance than through the logo.  The colors also give it a more sophisticated look away from the bright colors used previously.  One thing that I personally would not have done is make the eyes of the pelican red.  I think that the look of the design in general gives the logo a sense of "be feared by me"enough that the eyes go a little over the top.  One great thing about the pelican though, is the way it can be incorporated so well into the fleur de lis.  I absolutely love this secondary logo and think it really would look great on any hat or shirt much better than the whole logo would.

Forever 21's Incredible Image

Picture by kilkus.com

Forever 21 has increasingly become big ever since I started college and I think that they are one clothing company that really gets it.  They have that unforgettable logo that not only is bold and straight forward but who wouldn't want to shop at a shore that they can feel young in for literally forever, being 'forever 21'.  Another aspect is they bring back the old in a way that makes it look easy.  I believe that they have made this accomplishment by showing its okay to just be yourself.  Be an individual, mix and match, and don't follow the crowd.  I think more and more that is everyone's dream is to be seen as different and Forever 21 does a great job at persuading more and more to follow this era.   

Picture by kilkus.com

They broadly show this in their print advertising.  Their posters are very unique and go out of the box with every frame.  They shoot models in outrageous mix and matched outfits doing an interesting pose or move.  Also, a lot of the time they will add in other objects giving it a little more edge.  At times it even seems that they are selling more of just a neat fun picture than strictly the clothing.  But I don't see this as a bad thing as being different seems to be their image and as long as that girl in the photo looks unique and edgy it brings you to their store or website, wanting to be that girl.  It also just makes every image that much more fun to look at!  Another great aspect that I love is in a lot of their images they give them an antique color scheme with more pastels and somewhat dimmed/yellow lighting which also I would assume more enhanced after shooting give it more of a retro look.  The area of the photo shoot and the items they pose with also help give that old style look.  I guess every look does come back!  And maybe its all here to stay for a while.

American Airlines New Identity

                             Picture from www.theatlanticwire.co

American Airlines has come out with a whole new look that has brought up a much controversy on whether it was the right way to go.  After reading usatoday.com's story I am a little torn myself.  I do believe it was time for a change with their logo, but the drastic change has completely changed their image and with a first glance at their new logo I wouldn't have any idea who the airline even was.  With that being said I think that in the end that could be something they regret.

Although, I see the new logo as fresh and modern overall I believe it is a decent at best logo.  It still incorporates the eagle which was smart but they brought in the image of a plane as the top and bottom pieces replicate wings of an airplane around the eagle's beak.  The only major problem I have with the new logos look is I don't particularly like the look of the eagle's beak.  It is very structured and doesn't give the feeling of an American eagle but instead of a machine.  I think incorporating the eagles actual head with a more soft look would give it more of that American patriotic feel.  It would also make it more of an abstract than the look they chose which gives the look of an obvious plane.  Yet, the new logo to me is more eye catching with the gradient in the red and blue and maybe with the fresh new look for the whole airline it will bring in more customers.  I guess only time will tell.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2013/01/18/judging-americans-new-look-readers-give-their-thoughts/1845691/