Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.labluesprosoccer.com
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Los Angeles Blues are proud to unveil their new logo for the 2012 USL PRO season and beyond. Designed in collaboration with Florida-based firm Dixon Minear Design Marketing, the crest pays tribute to the Blues’ roots in the city of Los Angeles while firmly reflecting the club’s dedication to a successful future in Orange County.
The new logo incorporates traditional elements and gives them an exciting, fresh look. This is to honor both the centuries-old tradition of soccer as the world’s game and the Blues’ orientation towards the future and becoming a pioneer in utilizing innovative ways to involve its fans and connecting with the local community.
The shape of the logo is derived from the “Swiss Shield,” versions of which are used by world-renowned club teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Sevilla FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy. It also closely resembles the shape used in interstate highway signs, such as those seen along Southern California’s I-5, which connects Los Angeles to the Fullerton region and stretches through all of Orange County.
The mountains seen in the new crest are another connecting element between the club’s past as an amateur side and its promising future in the professional game. Southern California is known throughout the world for its majestic mountain ranges, which serve as beautiful backdrops for both Downtown Los Angeles and the Blues’ new home, Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium. The scenic view is symbolic of the club’s vision of success and its drive to constantly reach for the summit, while mountains also stand for steadfastness and strength.
Captured behind the mountains in the logo is the clear, blue sky that is such a big part of the exceptional quality of life enjoyed by Southern Californians. Each year, it also attracts millions of tourists from around the world who make their way to the Los Angeles and Orange County regions to relax on the many beautiful beaches and soak in the sun.
Another trademark element found in the Southern California landscape is the Pacific Ocean, represented at the bottom of the crest. Along with the mountains and the cloudless sky, the ocean is among the most prominent natural features automatically associated with the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. Both the mountains and the ocean stand for stability and dedication of the kind found in loyal relationships within a successful sports franchise and in the relationships that franchise builds with its fans.
The wings seen on the far left and right of the logo are an allusion to the “City of Angels,” while also symbolizing the club’s geographic and philosophical journey to Fullerton and a bright future in the professional game. In addition, they also represent the ambition of “flying high”, with the club aiming to become one of the flagship organizations in USL PRO, both on and off the field.
Perhaps the most unique element of the new crest is the “LA” spiral near the top, which is a creative spin on the traditional city monogram, different from all other preceding versions of it. Derived from the curl of a perfect wave for surfing, the spiral retains the energy of one of Southern California’s traditional sports and connects it to the sport of the future, to the energy set free in a hard sliding tackle and to the spin of a ball struck perfectly on goal.
While the monogram reads “LA,” mimicking the shape of a wave also allowed the logo’s designers to change the letters into a form reminiscent of “OC,” the monogram used to represent Orange County.
Like all the elements featured in the new logo, its colors were carefully selected as well.
The Metallic Silver found most prominently in the crest’s frame is reminiscent of lightening striking, which brings about associations with the quick reactions needed on the field as well as with pinpoint-accurate, lightening-fast shots on goal. Meanwhile, the lightest shade of blue is called Process Blue, the name symbolizing the club’s ambition to be successful in terms of winning trophies and connecting with soccer fans of all ages and backgrounds. Process Blue also resembles the color of the ocean and of the clear, blue Southern California sky.
The slightly darker shade of blue is called Reflex Blue and was chosen for its connotations of skillful reflexes in crucial match situations as well as its visual reminiscence of the majestic, dark Southern California mountain ranges against the clear sky. Darker yet is the color dubbed Evening Blue, which symbolizes the team as a part of the vibrant local night life, as top-class entertainment that is able find to its niche and build a loyal, passionate fan base.
Finally, the color dubbed Midnight Hour Blue is the darkest shade of blue found in the logo. It represents the quiet night after a Blues match and the feeling of satisfaction that comes form a convincing victory and a job well done by the team.
Visit www.labluesprosoccer.com soon for official Blues merchandise featuring the new logo!