The FC Rangers are one of South Africa's premiere football leagues. Rising in popularity, they are amongst the top teams in their homeland of Botswana. On a winning streak and with a growing fan base, the Rangers find themselves on the eve of making their debut on the world stage. And like all successful sports franchises, the Rangers are in need of an attractive identity system to be used on numerous projects, from media to merchandising.
For inspiration I met with several football (Soccer) players from this region of the world. I asked them "what are the important messages South African football should communicate to the world?" The top answer was to deliver a sense of National pride and football.
Drafts: The Rangers requested a shield be included in the design. From my research on the region I noticed the Botswana Coast of Arms contained a shield. Not a Western shield, but a traditional African shield.
Drafts: Batswana is also known for their cattle and horse ranches. The Bull is a symbol of National pride.
Concepts: The first idea presented contained the image of a Bull breaking out of an African shield, framed by footballs.
Concepts: The number one football team in Botswana are The Zebras. To steer clear of that, I went for a charging Elephant as a second concept.
Concepts: In the end, it was the concept featuring a Bull and footballs that won the day. As a design direction I went with a traditional British bridal motif. Botswana was the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland from 1885 to 1966. British symbols still find their way into modern day Botswana.
Concepts: Sports merchandising always needs many "official" insignias. Fortunately I understand this mode and enjoy designing for it.
Concepts: Team Jerseys: Game at home at left. Game away at right.
The Rangers had some feedback.... they wanted to be known as the FC Rangers (FC = Football Club). They also requested reviewing logos which do not feature an animal.
Concepts: Another mark using a football and Botswana Flag as the keyart.
Concepts: Another mark using a football and Botswana Flag as the keyart.
Concepts: Another mark using a football and Botswana Flag as the keyart. This one had the addition of a crown on top. This design, the FC Rangers said contain the elements that very much represent them.
