Rebranding the Minnesota Timberwolves | ianbakar.com

REBRANDING THE

TIMBER! WHERE DID THE GREEN GO? The current â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wolves branding is a slight fixer-upper of a logo that was originally introduced in 1996. As of late, their aesthetic has gone from a nice mix of green and blue, to looking more and more like the Orlando Magic (especially with their two primarily used wolf-head and howling wolf logos, and in their uniforms, utilizing only black, blue and silver. The current trees look like legos, and the yellow in the eyes are garish. The NBA has an overabundance of blue, and unique color schemes are few and far between. With such a unique name, that suits the area so well, the Wolves owe it to themselves to have a stand-out and cohesive brand. With a young, fresh, unique and star-studded line up including the likes of Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine, the Wolves need a brand that reflects this new energy.

WHERE’D THEY GET THE NAME?

CURRENT SECONDARY LOGO

Minnesota is home to the largest population of timberwolves in the lower 48 states. Here are some facts about the timberwolf: • There are about 1,200 wolves in Minnesota, accounting for all but approximately 75 others in the continental U.S. • The statewide population of Minnesota wolves increased for a few years after passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which prohibited the public taking of wolves in 1974, and has remained relatively stable since then. • Wolf range covers the northern third of Minnesota, with most wolves found in the least accessible forested areas. • The wolf is on the federal Endangered Species List, classified as “threatened” in Minnesota, and endangered elsewhere in the 48 contiguous states. • The state is home to the International Wolf Center, a comprehensive research center and wolf exhibit area, located in Ely, Minn. • The Twin Cities-based Minnesota Zoo and the Science Museum of Minnesota both have exhibits highlighting the state’s timberwolves.

FROM http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/history/timberwolves_name.html

1996-2008 SECONDARY LOGO

DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT: ALT PRIMARY The backdrop for this mimics the shape of the state of Minnesota, an alternative to the shield shape I selected. I prefer the version to the left.

PRIMARY LOGO Pine green, timber gray, and wolf gray. The trees have been a key element to the brand since 1996, so this is a rehash of them, with more variety and in a more scenic backdrop. The full-body wolf is howling, ready to prowl, standing proudly atop the new wordmark. The new wordmark is less inyour-face and no pointy serifs, but still intimidating. The shield is fierce and aggressive, bringing it all together.

PARTIAL The lone wolf from the primary, without the wordmark/backdrop.

SECONDARY 1

SECONDARY 2

Similar idea as their current secondary, but with the new look.

A Timberwolves brand isn’t a Timberwolves brand without

Profile head shot of the same howling wolf as in the primary.

a head-on view of a snarling T-Wolf.

SECONDARY 3

PRIDE LOGO

HERITAGE LOGO

The team-initial logo. Similar to their interlocking ‘MT’ logo

The full state outline

A nod to the inaugural season

from the 90’s, but solely an M. Can be used with or without the

of Minnesota returns

logo, with the under-arching

basketball. Shield from the primary surfaces again here.

here. Silhouette icon of

wordmark, and script ‘Minnesota’,

the wolf, and Minnesota

below the logo roundel.

below.

A B CD E F G

A B CD E

HOME UNIFORM

A B CD E F G

I’ve never been a fan of solely having ‘Wolves’ on Minnesota’s primary uniform. With an uncommon name, it should be worn boldly. So here, the split color emphasizes the ‘Timber’ and gets the whole name across the chest. It’s also unique to the league to have a split-color jersey script. The trim on all uniforms echo the rest of the brand, and the jersey side panel has the subtle M that flows down into a W on the shorts. Wolf profile on the waistline.

A B CD E F G

AWAY UNIFORM Their current away uniform features ‘Minnesota’ on the chest, a first-ever in the team’s history. A location name wordmark should be a standard on every primary away game set, representing the team’s home and fanbase on the road. The trim on all uniforms echo the rest of the brand, and the jersey side panel has the subtle M that flows down into a W on the shorts. Wolf profile on the waistline.

A B CD E F G

ALTERNATE UNIFORM The ‘Wolves shortened nick name is certainly okay for an alternate uniform. The trim on all uniforms echo the rest of the brand, and the jersey side panel has the subtle M that flows down into a W on the shorts. Wolf profile on the waistline.

GEARING UP

THE FLOOR AT TARGET CENTER

A couple combination of eras here. The treeline from the 90’s-00’s era court was a beautiful thing, but it was a bit much. A toned-down version here on either baseline, book-ending the team name. The two-toned court from the current era returns. I’m a proponent of having a team’s full primary at center court.

REBRANDING THE

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