Opening Night Designs

With all eyes now focused on Opening Night between the Nets and Knicks, I'd expect the merchandise machines (on both ends) to really start pumping out the goods.  For fans of either NY team, that's nothing but a positive.  Well, except for your wallet.

I love making my own T-Shirt designs and wanted to share this one with you.  It's obviously not an official Adidas release, but I used their logo to represent the relationship they have with the NBA as the official sponsor.

I'm obviously not selling this shirt or design because, one, the logos are copyrighted by the NBA, Nets, Knicks, and Adidas.  Two, as an employee of the team I would never violate terms or conditions.  However, this design is yours to use however you wish.  I'd absolutely love to see fans wearing this on Opening Night and, if you're lucky, I'll bring my silver sharpie and sign it for ya haha!

Oh, yeah, I didn't leave those Knickerbocker fans out.  If we're gonna have a rivalry, let's at least look good doing it.  

Similar with an obvious difference.  Enjoy, print, iron on, order, whatevz!

CK

Media Day

The Brooklyn Nets held their Media Day yesterday and, through it, countless photos of Nets Players in their (finally revealed) jerseys have been surfacing on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other Social Media outlets.  For a designer like me, that means it's time to get to work.  When pictures like the following emerge, I can sit back and relax for hours just having fun with my talents.  These are just a few I've made so far, but there will surely be more to follow.  Now that all surprises have been revealed, I don't have to imagine anymore.  This is what it is and I'm rolling with it.

Despite "Clique" being a Kanye song, this is more of a reference to Jay-Z who performed this track at his Opening Night concert at the Barclays Center.

The following, made for PingsHoops.com, is a recreation of the banner hanging at the Nets' Practice Facility.  It can be seen in pictures taken during today's first Training Camp session.

Finally, Past meets Present

CK

The Takeover

As more and more has been revealed and confirmed for the Nets, there has been less left to the imagination.  So, obviously my graphics has not been updated in a while.  But, after seeing the Barclays Center and attending the Opening Night Jay-Z concert, it's more than evident that Brooklyn is taking over New York.  It's the place to be and, in terms of basketball, the Nets are once again relevant.  I haven't seen a Knicks story in weeks and, last night, even Carmelo Anthony was rocking in our building.  Yep, we're taking over everything.  So, while we're at it, we might as well take this too.  Come November 1st, it won't be worth as much, anyway..

The Nets logos, both primary and secondary, are nicer than the Knicks logo, but why not take what we can because we can?  It's becoming even more of a realization that the Knicks are now the 2nd team in NY and this is just a slap in the face to all the fans who thought Brooklyn was just a pipe dream.  I know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but believe me, we're not imitating, we're mocking.  

I did it in Orange and Blue first, but that's just ugly.  Doesn't that make you sick?  Yeah, as the Brooklyn Nets tweeted, "It's all about the Black and White."  That it is!  So I did it over, in our colors, and our B.. It's better that way and just another symbol of our takeover.  One month from tomorrow, it begins!

NBA Halloween Patch

Being such a big fan of graphics, especially logos, I always look forward to seeing what type of patches the NBA Jerseys feature each year.  For example, on Christmas, the NBA Jerseys had a Snow Flake patch.  During the NBA Finals, they've had the Larry O'Brien Trophy patch as well as the new NBA Finals logo patch.  I like that kind of stuff.

Well, considering the NBA has nine Home Openers on Halloween night, I'm curious if they'll have anything Halloween related on the Jersey?  I absolutely love Halloween and always look forward to what the NBA has planned, but they've never done anything before.  So, of course, I had to design my own.

I don't know if there's anything that represents Halloween better than a carved pumpkin, so that's what I went with.  Instead of a Jack-O-Lantern face, I incorporated the NBA logo and the year.  I like that the design, particularly the edges, are a bit uneven.  Halloween is a playful holiday and should never be taken so serious.  The intended "sloppiness" to the outer edges is my way of symbolizing that child-like feeling Halloween evokes.

The Chicago Bulls open their season on Halloween Night

Because I love Halloween so much, I might play with a few other ideas as we get closer to the season.  I may also make custom Halloween Jerseys for the home teams playing that night.  On days like Halloween, Christmas, and St. Patty's Day, the NBA (and all sports) should always take advantage of the season and marketing possibilities.  

-CK

Pop Tarts - Limited University Edition

Next month, Kelloggs will be releasing five "Printed Fun" University Edition Pop-Tarts.  Included : North Carolina University, The University of Florida, The University of Michigan, The University of Georgia, and Arkansas.  Today, the box art for those editions were revealed.  

Here are the Actual Pop-Tart Boxes to be released :

Not bad.  I get that the focus is on the printed logo, but I think they dropped the ball.  Why Strawberry?  Why not Blueberry for NCU?  Why that red bar across the front?  We all know how traditional and classic that North Carolina blue is.  Why not incorporate it more and really make it stand out?

Well, I can't answer those questions.  But continuing my theme of diversity here on The GraphiCKs, I'm presenting mock-up designs that I think represents the Universities better.  In both flavor and design.

 What do you think?
Would you rather look at mine or the originals?
Which would you buy first?
Let me know @CKCash30

I will be working on further designs for additional products in the future.  I've always been fascinated by package art and how it pulls the consumer in.  So making my own in my spare time is always fun.

-CK

New York Mets - David Wright

Again, this blog is meant to feature more than just Nets graphics and designs, but I'll admit, I haven't done that great of a job proving otherwise.  However, regardless, I will be showcasing everything and anything I come up with in the world of sports, movies, TV, music,entertainment, and products.  I want this to become diverse as I move forward.  So, if you're wondering why I'm debuting my favorite MLB team, the Mets, on my graphics site, you now know why!

With that said, here's three variations of a design I made featuring David Wright.

I'm sure there will be more New York Mets graphics coming in the future.  Unlike the Nets, there isn't anything "new" to focus on, but they're still my team and certainly something I enjoy.. even though they suck, right now.  Ah well..

-CK

Brooklyn Nets Iphone Background

While playing around with Stock Images and the Brooklyn Nets secondary logo, I came up with a pretty cool Iphone Background.  If you have an Iphone, feel free to use it!  If you do, I'd love to see a snapshot.. Send it to me @CKCash30 on Twitter!

CK

Brooklyn Nets - Opening Night

On November 1st, 2012, the Brooklyn Nets will officially open their season at the Barclays Center against the New York Knicks.  These are my promotional graphics for that monumental occasion.

On Opening Night, everything is Black and White

As the Nets have been saying, "A Storm Is Coming."

On Opening Night, only one team can emerge victorious.  We Will Rise.

-CK

Brook Lopez with the Slam

This may be the first time I posted a Brooklyn Nets graphic featuring two Nets in one live shot.  That is what lured me into designing this one.  I thought it would be interesting to see what it may look like when we take on the Knicks and this picture was perfect to play with.

CK

Brian Scalabrine

Rumor has it that the Nets will be offering former Net, Brian Scalabrine, a training camp invite.  Scalabrine was a part of our run to the finals ten years ago and may now be returning to the team that drafted him.  I've always like Scal so I wouldn't mind seeing a return, but I was more excited about putting him in black and white.

I can't take credit for the original photo featuring Brian emerging from the fire.  Somebody else made that and credit must go to that unknown artist.  But I am taking credit for adding the Brooklyn Black and White, along with the logo.

CK

Superman goes to Los Angeles

This graphics blog has been all Nets for the past three months.  In that time, I put Dwight in Brooklyn gear and, because of it, I was put on ESPN.com.  But, it's all over now and Dwight has officially been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

 Like I said in the beginning, this isn't "My Nets GraphiCKs," this is a blog designed to feature anything I have to offer.  So far, that's been nothing but net, but today I present the quickly designed, Purple and Gold, Superman logo.  As a Nets fan, I wish it was black and white, but it is what it is.  Let's go Brook!

And, while I'm posting graphics that are non-Nets related, I recently made a design for a DJ who e-mailed me for a logo.  His name is DJ T-Conks and was looking for something with a vinyl record and wording he wrote.  He also wanted it to pop, so I went with a blue.  The following is what he received and, thankfully, he was more than pleased!

For your design needs, feel free to contact me at MyGraphiCKs@gmail.com or @CKCash30 on Twitter to discuss rates!

-CK

Custom Nets Opening Night Video

I've ventured out into video.  It's not really my forte, but I had to add some type of video for viewers to watch when they listen to the audio I've come up with.

As a fan, I want the opening night to be impactful, setting up the rivalry with the Knicks and welcoming me to the new arena.  That's what this custom Opening Night Intro is for.  Regardless of whether or not the Nets do something like this, I wanted to make my own.

Written by me.  Special thanks to Jasen Anthony for the amazing voice over.  Credit for video goes to all their original sources.  Like I said, I'm graphics and audio.

Enjoy

-CK

Facebook Cover Photos

I've recently been timelined on Facebook and, at first, I was a bit upset.  But, on the bright side, you get to use an awesome cover photo and that I actually like.  So, with that, I decided to use some of my previous designs to create cover photos that fit perfectly.  Here they are..

Jay-Z

If you were watching the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, then you probably saw the new Budweiser commercial featuring Jay-Z wearing a Nets hat.  If you didn't, then check it out here.

Using two screen caps, I made two new Nets graphics featuring the minority owner.

In the first, pictured above, you can't tell who the figure is, you can only make out the silhouette.  What is visible, however, is "Nets" on this unidentified man's hat.  It's almost ominous.  Something is coming, and it's coming to takeover New York on November 1st.  It's threatening and that's the theme I'm going for as the Nets take on the Knicks on opening night!

In the second image, you can now tell it's Jay-Z in the image and, again, the hat is clearly identified.  Jay-Z appears to be looking at something.  He's glaring off into the distance.  What does he see.  "Can You See The Vision?"  Perhaps it's the Blueprint to Success.  We'll find out on November 1st.

-CK

Deron Williams / Spiderman

Sticking with the Super Hero theme, I made this Spider Man variation featuring the exit from New Jersey and the beginning of the Brooklyn era

CK

The Avengers

I think this picture is fitting of a Super Team because it features Super Heroes.  Are the Nets a Super Team?  That is still debatable at this point, but I'm a fan, I'm biased, and in my opinion, they're The New Avengers!

Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and The Incredible Hump!

On the ends, Billy King and Amy Williams.  Of course, Amy has her Iphone ready for all Twitter/Instagram updates.

For those who want to see Joe and Gerald in different positions, here we go..

 

#LetsGoNets

Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez is the starting Center for the Brooklyn Nets.  In celebration, I've made a few new images and, because I paid more attention to detail, the NBA logo on the jersey is actually colored, unlike my previous Lopez designs.  Enjoy.

The first is a play on the secondary Nets logo.  Instead of "Brooklyn New York," I went with "Brook Lopez."  Makes sense, right?

The next two are similar to the campaign the Nets have been running.  I added my own phrases and added Brook in the unconfirmed, unofficial, custom CK Nets jersey.

CENTER of the action?  Get it ;)

EDIT:

Just because the old Lopez designs always annoyed me, I updated them and added the NBA logo to his jersey, anyway.