Oklahoma City Thunder

I get a few FAQs* regarding the Oklahoma City Thunder (our newly acquired team previously known as the Seattle Sonics). Mostly because I was the lead designer for the NBA Hornets when they made OKC their home for a couple years. It is one of the projects I'm most proud of so I apologize for those of you that know me that are saying "we get it already - you designed stuff for the Hornets!"

FAQ 1:
Are you designing stuff for the Sonics/Thunder?
ANSWER: No. They chose a different OKC agency.

FAQ 2:
What do you think about their logo?

ANSWER: I think it's nice. I know there was some controversy over the name and it was unknown for a while - some other options tossed up were "Energy", "Barons", "Wind", and "Bison". "Thunder" looks a little slapped on the top there while the "OKC" mark looks much more developed yet generic and sporty enough to fit any of the names finally chosen. The mark does say very little about "Thunder" though. Also, I think the type overwhelms the mark and they could've been integrated a little better.

The colors are just one-off from those of the Hornets. The Hornets were gold, teal and purple - the Thunder are gold, teal and navy. I think this is a smart move - giving homage to what was ours for a little bit and making Oklahoma feel comfortable and familiar with it. There is certainly more of a nod to the Hornets rather than the Sonics with their green and gold logo.

I want to see what the rest of their look is. And I can't wait to see the jersey's.

I'm not a fan of the overall shape but I do like the classic feel of the mark. But with that said - I think it could have just a little more "flash" and feel a little more pro-basketball and a little less middle-school sports team.

FAQ3: Who's your favorite NBA player?
ANSWER: Latrell Sprewell. 'Cause he's a gangsta.


FAQ4: Are you excited!?
ANSWER: Yes. I love the NBA. My heart is still with the Hornets but I'm sure I'll become a Thunder fan.

FAQ5: What exactly did you do for the Hornets?
ANSWER: I worked as their lead designer for their branding campaign in 2007 with Brian Winkeler as the copy writer and creative director (he wrote the comic book I'm featured in).

My favorite projects were working on their outdoor boards.

This one is my favorite. Everything we did was also posted in New Orleans (for the 6 games played there). However, this one was too destructive looking so we decided not to post it in NOLA.


(Please note that your browser might be cutting off the right side of this photo - it does in mine. Click on it to see the full thing.)

And if you're still interested - you can view the commercial I designed here.
I tried HARD for a shoot with the players but scheduling was impossible. So I had to go through the live footage from their first game of the season and make it work. I decided to combine stills and overlay animation to make it look cooler than just a live-footage montage.

FAQ6: What was the biggest perk working on the Hornets account?
ANSWER: I scored a pair of Chris Paul's Nike shoes. And I got to go to a ton of the games - I even got floor seats once when they were playing the Suns.

Overall, my experience working with the NBA Hornets was fantastic and I will always think of it fondly. I can't wait to see how the Thunder make OKC their home.

*A few of these FAQs are not FAQs at all but information I still thought you should know. Specifically #3.