A Hypothetical Redskins Helmet Redesign
One of the questions we receive most on Redskins Nation -- not as often as the ones about Marko Mitchell, I don't think, but still pretty often -- are about potential changes to the Redskins uniform. Whether people just want to discuss burgundy jerseys over burgundy pants (I'm opposed), white jerseys over white pants (indifferent), or going full throwback (I'm in favor), it's something that folks really like to discuss.
Well, Ken Carbone, a graphic designer who writes for Fast Company magazine decided to take a stab at redesigning what are, in his opinion, some of the worst helmets in the NFL. And the Redskins were on the list.
Among the weakest designs are the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers , whose visually complicated logos become a graphic mess when televised and, I imagine, even if you're sitting on the fifty-yard line.
So here's what Carbone came up with, along with professional illustrator and retoucher Mike Racz:
And I have to admit, I think it's kinda awesome.
Here's the reasoning:
This fantastic link comes (again) via @Unsilent.
Well, Ken Carbone, a graphic designer who writes for Fast Company magazine decided to take a stab at redesigning what are, in his opinion, some of the worst helmets in the NFL. And the Redskins were on the list.
Among the weakest designs are the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers , whose visually complicated logos become a graphic mess when televised and, I imagine, even if you're sitting on the fifty-yard line.
So here's what Carbone came up with, along with professional illustrator and retoucher Mike Racz:
And I have to admit, I think it's kinda awesome.
Here's the reasoning:
For the Washington Redskins I tried a design direction that might be considered more politically correct in most circles by removing the Native American portrait, emphasizing the feather motif from the headdress and using it more dynamically on the helmet.The one thing I wonder is if there wasn't a way to incorporate the center stripe into the feather motif, but still, this would be a pretty interesting, bold change -- and I'm just a sucker for new unis in general. Be sure to check out the article for more helmet thoughts, a nice Tampa Bay redesign, and an absolutely HIDEOUS Evel Knievel helmet for the Patriots.
This fantastic link comes (again) via @Unsilent.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-12-2009 @ 9:53AM
Andy said...
I don't like it. The feather design looks more like bird feathers than an american indian headress. If we are going to change the helmet (I don't know why we would) I'd be fine with going back to the arrow helmet design.
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 10:06AM
redskinsfan2282 said...
I would love to see the throwbacks with the spear helmet. I have a Sean Taylor jersey in that dark maroon color with the spear heads on the sleeves. Everyone will ask me where i got it and i just say a long time ago. Oh by the way his number was 36. Its a classic jersey that i actually stop wearing now. But anyways, the helmet right here looks crappy. I am a graphic artist from Newport News Va and I know i could design something better than this compy cat Eagles helmet dressed in B&G. I mean c'mon man!!!!!!!!!! It is a eagles helmet!!!!!Keep the old one or get the Spear Helmet out!! We need something to help us in this dark time of the REBELLION against the Snypire. Hire a good GM fire VC or LEAVE!!!! This is not fantasy football DAN. This is our enjoyment and what you have done is destroy. FIX it the right way or get the F out!!!!!
Always and forever bleed B&G NO MATTER WHAT
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 10:14AM
Matt Terl said...
Work up a design and send to me, I'll be happy to post it.
11-12-2009 @ 11:25AM
mwhite51 said...
why not combine the brave feather that runs from the back to
overhead of the helmet along with the spears on the side?
try and design that and see how it turns out!
11-13-2009 @ 12:06PM
hwcampbell said...
amen fire dan snyder tooo
11-12-2009 @ 10:10AM
lmiller900 said...
I think that helmet design above looks like total crap. That being said it might actually suit the team that is currently dawning the uniforms. I like the Indian design but have no problem if it is changed. At least it wouldn't give the American Indians that protest much more to protest about. Thus the term redskins would only refer to the uniform color. I think there should be an open contest for anybody and everybody to design and submit a new logo with and monetary prize going to the winner.
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11-12-2009 @ 10:14AM
Matt Terl said...
I can't offer money, but I'm happy to post any impressive redesigns that people send me.
11-12-2009 @ 10:23AM
zachg10 said...
I HATE IT!!!! Leave our helmets and jerseys alone. For God sakes leave tradition alone.
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11-12-2009 @ 10:24AM
zachg10 said...
I do agree that if a change HAS to be made go back to the spear!
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11-12-2009 @ 10:32AM
I_am_Jacks_computer said...
Do.Not.Want
If the team changes the design, I wouldn't mind something similar to the spear or Lombardi's "R" (as long as we don't also go with those incredibly ugly gold uniforms we wore last year or the year before).
Even if they don't do a wholesale change, it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to wear something like the 70th anniversary throwbacks a lot next year, if only so that we change the association of those beautiful uniforms to something other than the Spurrier years.
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11-12-2009 @ 10:51AM
Gnome said...
Didn't Ben Franklin want the National Bird to be the Turkey?
Kind of looks like Ben would love this design.
I say Dan leave the design as is and change the name to Warriors or back to Braves which would solve the issue with the name and actually make the character in the current logo a representation of the Warrior or the Braves and not an ethnicity.
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 10:52AM
Willie said...
Stupid looking design!
I also vote for the throw back with the spear. I believe it was worn for a game or two during Steve Spurrier's tenure here. I, too, have a maroon color throwback Sean Taylor jersey and also receive lots of compliments from other people. I still wear it often.
We can change the team colors to "Maroon and Black".
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 11:37AM
mwhite51 said...
THIS IS WHY THE ATLANTA FALCONS UNIFORM LOOKS STUPID, THEY COULDN'T LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE.
DON'T CHANGE THE B/G! OUR COLORS ARE THE BEST IN THE NFL! NOT EVEN THE 49ER'S CAN TOP OUR COLORS!
11-12-2009 @ 10:53AM
redskinsfan2282 said...
Where do i send the picture when i am done Matt
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 10:55AM
Matt Terl said...
redskinsblog at redskins-dot-com
11-12-2009 @ 11:15AM
Rat Boy said...
First thing I thought of when I saw this was "Eagles."
Gag.
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 11:38AM
lmiller900 said...
"I can't offer money, but I'm happy to post any impressive redesigns that people send me."
I didn't mean you Matt. I meant the organization. That's if they decide to change the logo. They should hold an open contest and offer a monetary prize.
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 12:19PM
Jonathan said...
Not a fan of that design or changing the name and/or logo! If Dan insists on changing rom the native american warrior, let's go with the spear or my favorite, the "R".
Let's put on some throwbacks for the rest of the season, who's with me!
HTTR
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 12:29PM
cmiles3006 said...
Don't change anything. The Indian Head Logo is the best in the NFL!
Reply
11-12-2009 @ 12:53PM
Dave said...
Gotta say I'm not a fan of the redesign. It'd be outdated in just a few years. I'm with everyone else, if a redesign has to be made, go back to the spear helmet or the R design.
Reply