.png)
Arek Dvornechcuck
Branding Expert
Hey there, folks! I'm Arek Dvornechuck, a branding expert and a logo designer, and oh yeah, I'm a basketball nut too.
So, I had this awesome idea to dive into some of the coolest NBA logos out there, and I'm dragging you along for the ride!
Get ready to plunge into the wild world of NBA logos, where our mutual love for basketball gets cozy with the stunning art of visual design.
Alright, it's time to lace up those kicks, and let's bounce our way through the vibrant history of NBA team logo designs!
Talking about those awesome NBA team logos you see on jerseys and all over the place, these logos are like a team's signature, showing off their style and spirit.
Each NBA team has its own special logo.
You've got the bold ones, the sleek ones, and even the ones with cool animals.
When you see these logos, you know which team is hitting the court.
A well-crafted NBA logo isn't just a badge; it's a bridge that links the team's triumphs, struggles, and identity to the hearts of its followers.
The Brooklyn Nets was founded in 1967 and the name “Nets” was chosen because it rhymes with “Mets” and “Jets” – the other two New York teams.
Its current logo was released in 2012, featuring a shield with a large "B" placed in the center of a ball and the wordmark "NETS" written in RollSign font on top.
According to an article, Brooklyn Nets' logo is associated with the owner Jay-Z who is also a rapper based in the city.
The logo looks much more straightforward, featuring a dark background, a white inscription, a light ball, and a black letter “B,” which indicates the club’s location – Brooklyn.
Over the years, the team's logo has undergone significant changes, but despite the changes, there is one thing that migrated from the past - the shield on the emblem.
As obviously seen in their latest logo, the designers abandoned the blue, red, and silver colors that were used earlier.
Just a trivia, at the moment, no NBA club operates with black and white monochrome, and this is Brooklyn Nets’ uniqueness and difference from others.
The Los Angeles Lakers' iconic logo, featuring "Los Angeles" written in front of a basketball was first introduced in 1961 and it has undergone refinements over the years.
The latest logo was updated in 2002 with a stylized font and increased clarity through more saturated shades of golden, black, and purple.
Its classic purple and gold color combination was approved after the franchise moved to another state.
Since Los Angeles is set against a background of mountains, which views a slightly purple haze and a concentration of glitter of gold.
There are also numerous horizontal stripes that stretch from the letters in the word "LAKERS," which adds dynamic and makes it recognizable.
Just another fact, LA Lakers was then called Minneapolis Lakers and is one of many NBA teams that have been forced to change their logo and name after moving to another state.
The iconic Chicago Bulls logo, featuring the ferocious bull, was introduced in 1966, and designed by a renowned graphic designer, Dean P. Wessel.
The red color is for aggression and passion, while the fierce-looking bull symbolizes ruthlessness.
If you come to notice, the tips of the bulls' horns also have traces of red to convey the aggression even more.
The bold and powerful red bull emblem also shows a sharp, aggressive black outline, which gives the bull a very menacing look, mirroring the team's fierce competitiveness on the basketball court.
The Chicago Bulls' logo has remained unchanged since 1966 and become an enduring symbol of the team's dominance in the NBA.
The bull's piercing gaze and the vivid color capture the essence of Chicago's unwavering spirit and unyielding pursuit of victory.
The Golden State Warriors' current logo was designed by Christopher Arena, the Vice President of Marketing Communications and Creative Services for the NBA and it was introduced in 2010.
The logo features a part of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge's fragment in a golden yellow ring, placed on a dark blue background.
The logo's centerpiece, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, symbolizes the journey of the franchise from its origins in Philadelphia to its current home in the Bay Area.
The latest logo was released on June 2019 and had slight changes in 2020, with the colors becoming darker, which allowed focus on the subtle details of the bridge.
The blue and gold color scheme pays tribute to the California skies and the team's rich history.
The design encapsulates the Warriors' transformation, unity, and connection to the vibrant city of San Francisco.
The Golden State Warriors' update of the logo was influenced by the change of their name over the years, and the team has at least ten.
The Miami Heat's iconic logo was introduced in 1999, designed by Mark Henderson and Richard Lyons.
It features a blazing red basketball with an orange flame tip that falls through a white hoop.
The Miami Heat's logo comprises four main colors: red symbolizes passion, vitality, and determination, while orange signifies the sun, energy, youthfulness, and activity.
On the other hand, black stands for elegance, dominance, and supremacy of the team, and white is used to bring brightness to a new strong palette.
Throughout the Miami Heat's relatively short history, the logo hasn't changed much, giving it a no-frills look.
All changes have had to do only with color.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's current logo was introduced in 2008, created by the NBA's in-house design team and their branding partners.
It features a triangular shield with a part of a basketball inside, the stylized "OKC" written over it, and the word "Thunder" in Industria Bold font.
It can also be seen that behind the shield are two lines of light orange and blue.
The dynamic "Thunder" was chosen because of three reasons...
First, Oklahoma City is located in Tornado Alley, second, it's the home of the Thunderbirds division of the US Army, and third, it is the chosen nickname as a tribute to the Indian heritage.
According to an article, Clay Bennet explained that reddish-orange symbolizes the sunset, yellow denotes the sun, and light blue coincides with the shade of the national flag.
Interesting fact, "Immeasurable love for basketball" is what the emblem conveys.
Including the basketball at the center of the logo shows that it is the central element and meaning of the franchise.
The Toronto Raptors' current logo was released in 2015, designed by the Toronto-native creative services agency, Sid Lee.
The logo consists of a ball with traces from the Velociraptor's claws and the name "TORONTO" atop and "RAPTORS" at the bottom in a white Sans-serif font.
The logo took the classic disk shape from the previous logo, to serve as the background.
The logo's menacing raptor claw traces embody the team's aggressive and competitive spirit on the court.
In 2020, the color palette of the logo was changed to black as the background, white for the lettering, and red basketball in the middle.
It may not be visible, but the logo has a wide white outline.
the color scheme conveys power, intensity, and elegance, reflecting the team's prowess and resilience on the basketball stage.
The Toronto Raptors logo has only changed in design twice, but they updated it four times.
The first design remained from 1995 to 2015 but had a change in color scheme in 2008, the same as the latest one...
The same design remained from when it was released in 2015 until the present but had changed the color scheme in 2020.
The Boston Celtics' latest logo was introduced in 1996, featuring a leprechaun smiling and cunningly winking, wearing a vest, bowtie, and a hat printed with clover...
Spinning a basketball on one finger and leaning on a cane in front of a green ring with the wordmark "BOSTON CELTICS" in white.
The logo's iconic "shamrock" or also known as "clover" is a nod to the team's Irish heritage and serves as a symbol of luck, growth, and renewal.
The use of green, a color associated with nature and the Irish countryside, reflects the Celtics' commitment to tradition and their deep-rooted history.
The Boston Celtics emblem symbolizes tactical cunning, confidence in victory, and the thirst for leadership.
The Philadelphia 76ers' current emblem was introduced in 2015 that is stylistically redesigned, consisting of a basketball with the inscription "76ers," a ring of 13 five-pointed stars on top of the number "7."
Around the ball is a double edging of blue and white stripes, plus it has the word "PHILADELPHIA" (above) and six larger stars (below) written on a wide outer line.
The color combination of dark red and blue on the logo of the Philadelphia 76ers was perceived to be comfortable because none of these colors are aggressive.
The old-fashioned font resembles the 60s, the era of the team’s domination led by Wilt Chamberlain.
The "7" and "6" indicate the month and year of adoption of the Declaration of Independence – July 1776, while the 13 stars symbolize 13 American colonies.
The Sixers' logo is considered one of the two bests in the NBA: a simple ball adorned with subtle details.
In the realm where sportsmanship meets artistic expression, NBA logos stand as iconic symbols of team spirit and cultural resonance.
As we've explored the interesting past and cool designs of famous NBA logos, led by expertise in branding, we've discovered a place where colors, shapes, and symbols come together to tell awesome stories.
Creating an NBA logo that lasts needs creativity, strategy, and emotion.
To tread the path of logo excellence, here are some crucial tips:
A powerful logo encapsulates the essence of the team's identity and heritage.
Infuse symbolism that mirrors the team's ethos, values, and journey, creating a visual narrative that fans can instantly connect with.
Colors wield the magic of evoking emotions and sentiments.
Choose a color palette that harmonizes with the team's personality, resonates with fans, and fuels a lasting emotional connection.
A logo's impact shouldn't be confined to a single platform.
Design for versatility, ensuring the emblem shines bright whether on jerseys, banners, or digital screens.
Marry classic design elements with contemporary aesthetics.
A timeless logo adapts to changing trends while retaining its core identity.
Typography isn't just words; it's an extension of the logo's character.
Select fonts that amplify the logo's message, whether bold and energetic or elegant and refined.
Collaboration is key.
Engage stakeholders, fans, and design experts in the creative process.
Constructive feedback refines the design, ensuring the logo resonates deeply with its audience.
A logo's potency lies in its recognizability.
Run tests to ensure the emblem is instantly identifiable, making an indelible mark in the minds of fans and beyond.
In the world of NBA logos, design is a journey of storytelling, unity, and passion.
Each emblem carries the weight of history, echoing the triumphs, struggles, and aspirations of a team.
If you're embarking on your own logo design journey, whether for an NBA team or any other venture, remember that a successful logo goes beyond aesthetics.
It's a harmonious blend of meaning, emotion, and strategic design that forms a bridge between the brand and its audience.
As you follow your creative passions, may you create logos that last and tell stories for generations.
Aside from the tips I shared above, you can also check my articles about the principles of design to serve as your guide in crafting your own logo.
Interested in personalized logos? don't hesitate to send me an email.
