The three worst helmet logos are rather obvious. Helmet logos with letters are boring and unimaginative. Two are from Gotham.

Here was the criteria for the best NFL Helmet Logos. The criteria for the worst is just the opposite.

1. Image only. Logos that have letters or initials are unimaginative. A good logo is iconic.
2. Artistic interpretation of the mascot.
3. Uniqueness – A helmet treatment that conveys the mascot in a novel way.
4. Local or regional meaning. A logo that drawings on the local culture and is incorporated into the image gets extra credit.

The New York Jets helmet is the worst in the NFL. Why? It is busy, full of letter, the NY is barely discernable, the football icon is small and primitive. If you have to type the name and the nickname of your team on the helmet, you lack imagination. They can do better.

Ahh, the New York Giants logo. Big city, nickname Giants - and they use small letters? The use of letters alone is silly. But, this helmet logo makes no sense and does not say anything about the about anything.

The Tennessee Titans has more going for than just letters, but it has nothing do with Tennessee. It has a “T” with some comet motif and three stars. It just seems contrived. It just a bad design and a bad nickname.

This week I will render an “authoritative” opinion on the best three NFL helmet logos. Next week I will do the worst three NFL helmets.

Here are the criteria for a good logo that weighs into my choices. 

1. Image only. Logos that have letters or initials are unimaginative. A good logo is iconic.
2. Artistic interpretation of the mascot.
3. Uniqueness – A helmet treatment that conveys the mascot in a novel way.
4. Local or regional meaning. A logo that drawings on the local culture and is incorporated into the image gets extra credit.

This seems more like I am judging figure skating.

Atlanta Falcons – The Falcon is the best stylized treatment of all NFL logos. Good use of color and anatomical features like the eyes, beck, wing, and talon. (image source is www.sportslogos.net)

Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengal strips are unique; some say ugly. But I think this is the most inspired helmet design in the NFL. They do a good job on thier uniforms too. (image source is www.sportslogos.net)

Seattle Seahawks – I don’ know what a Seahawk is. But if its image was designed by the aboriginal tribes of the Pacific Northwest, then it might look something the this logo. This Seahawk image did a great job of incorporating strong regional cultural design (image source is www.sportslogos.net)

Share with me your favorite helmet logos. Tell me why you like it and don’t be a homer!

You can drawing your symbols about you at www.mikons.com

My parents, my wife, and I were traveling through the sparse Southern Montana landscape. We were driving through the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and I kept noticing this symbol. It is the tribal symbols of the Northern Cheyenne Native Americans.

The present day flag of Northern Cheyenne Tribe in Southern Montana is emblem of Chief Morning Star, better known as Dull Knife, the Cheyenne chief who led his people to their new home after they had been defeated in the War of the Plains. The morning star glyph was also used during the Sun Dance. Warriors would paint it on their chests for the ceremony.  The ancient version was a deep reddish brown, and a black morning star glyph.

Make your own symbols and make new friends at Mikons.com.

I saw this logo while riding my mountain bike crossing some railroad tracks in Northern Idaho – The Great Northern Railroad. It is a great image representing of the feat that Railroad Companies had to overcome laying track across the Northern Rockies. Although the use of animals is common among logo creators, few use the Rocky Mountain Mountain Goat.

Consider the ubiquity of animals like lions, bulls, and eagles in logos. They certainly share a common meaning with us all. But the risk that companies take when using animal representations in logos is that they compromise uniqueness in branding.  Other companies selling bicycles and outdoor apparel have used the mountain goat image, but none are as strong the Great Northern Railway logo.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the Christian followers’ foreheads as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are typically gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned. In the liturgical practice of some churches, the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized), though some churches use ordinary oil. This paste is used by the minister who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his own forehead and then on those of congregants.

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults.

This post consists of exerpts from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday

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The Irish call their Harp the Clarsash.   The harp symbolized the highest of refinement and excellence to medieval Gaelic culture.  It represents the sublime beauty and grace.  It was such a powerful symbol to the Irish that the waring Brits of 16th Century destroyed the instrument as a sign of triumphant power.  Today the harp is the logo of Guinness beer.

My friend Bijoy Goswami wrote a very insightful book, “The Human Fabric” , that describes three core energies (or personalities) of people and how those energies show up one’s life.  It also describes how businesses can organize themselves to be more effective by matching-up complementary energies.  Those energies are: The Maven, The Relater, and The Evangelist.  Bijoy commissioned icons of each core energy.   Bijoy says I am a  Maven (this is the icon).  He posted all the icons on this Mikons page.

On another note,  Bijoy has been an inspiration in my life.  He challenges me to be me.  Connect with him and your life will change, if you are willing.

Do you see that logo?  What comes to mind when you look at it.  Witness what you think as look at it.  Notice that you bring all your biases to bear as you take inventory of your feelings while you look this now iconic logo.

Now, move your political disposition aside and watch this video by Bill Whittle fo PJTV.  If are attached to the polarity of our contemporary political scene then you will either rejoice at the message or revile it.  But if you put yourself in the place of an observer, then will understand the point of the title of this post.

Whatever your biases are beware of what you believe.

Explore the power of icons for yourself at www.Mikons.com and www.MikonMixers.com.