Best Football Logos in the UK

Ask any football fan, and they’ll probably tell you that their favourite logo in the sport is the one worn by the club they support. The best logos and badges form a huge part of the connection between club and supporter. They’re worn on shirts, printed on posters and flags, and even tattooed on fans, and are an invaluable aspect of a supporter’s relationship and bond with their club.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boast one of the smartest badges in the Premier League. The Eagles, known as such due to the eagle that’s been the focal point of their logo since 1973, were inspired by the similarly avian logo of Portuguese giants Benfica.

They’ve updated the badge a handful of times over the years to keep it looking fresh, but it’s arguably in the best shape it’s been in right now. It makes expert use of the club’s red and blue colours with a cool blue eagle, a red football, and smart lettering on a ribbon that makes use of both colours.

Newcastle United

Newcastle United’s logo incorporates seahorses, a symbol of the city, also appearing on the city’s coat of arms, and serves as a reminder that Newcastle is a port city on the coast.

There’s a castle, too, to represent the city’s keep, and lots of gold and grey to give a timeless, almost regal feel. With football such a global sport, and the club owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, their badge is a real connection to the team’s local heritage.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s current crest has been used since 2002, and is one of the most recognisable around – it’s seen them become the only team to go unbeaten in the Premier League for an entire season and it’s been sported by stars including Thierry Henry, Mesut Ozil and Bukayo Saka over the past couple of decades.

It’s not too complex – and was even criticised for not being traditional enough when it was announced – but features Arsenal’s famous cannon, the bright red of the club’s colours, and a white scroll at the top with the club’s name in bold, golden letters.

Birmingham City

This instantly recognisable logo can divide opinion, but this Birmingham supporter feels it warrants inclusion for its originality. Like the Forest logo, it was a competition winner in the 1970s, but this one opts for a line-drawn globe, which sits on top of a football.

A classy blue ribbon runs in a zig-zag over the two circles, giving the name of the club and the year it was founded in smart block capitals. In an era of roundel logos and increased simplification, football fans can instantly tell this logo by even just the silhouette.

Salford City

Salford City changed its logo in 2014, the same year it was taken over by a group of former Manchester United players. It’s not too unlike Wolves’, except it features a lion rather than a fox. Whereas the logo used to feature a more traditional rampant lion, the lion in the current logo is facing forward and much more minimalist – but extremely eye-catching.

The lion’s white face is surrounded by a black mane, which in turn is surrounded by a hexagonal red border. The shape is said to replicate the shape of the hull of the ships in Salford’s docks, too, so there’s a nod to the location and its history.

Wrexham

Wrexham might play in the English league system, but the city is located over the border in Wales, and for the 1973-74 season the club changed their badge to one that really reflects their Welsh roots.

There are three feathers at the top of the badge and two red dragons – the national symbol of Wales – facing inwards at each other closer to the logo’s centre. The top of the badge is green while the bottom is white, combining with the red dragon to incorporate all of the Welsh national colours. It’s one of the more classic-looking badges still in use, but it works really well.

Barrow

Barrow are another team to keep a traditional logo, and theirs is based on the coat of arms of Barrow-in-Furness. At the top is a submarine – the town has launched submarines for the Royal Navy since 1901 – while just under is an arrow with a bee on it (get it?) for a fun play on words.

Opposite is a red rose, symbolising Barrow’s historic place in Lancashire, as well as a football. The colours of blue and white have been used by the club for over a century, so it’s only fitting that they’d play a focal role in the logo too. There’s quite a lot going on here, but it’s effective in the way it comes together.

Conclusion

The best football logos are a vital part of a team’s identity and a crucial aspect of the bond between the club and its supporters. From the traditional and classic to the modern and innovative, each logo has its own unique charm and character, reflecting the history, values, and spirit of the club.

FAQs

Q: What makes a great football logo?

A: A great football logo is one that is both unique and memorable, reflecting the history, values, and spirit of the club. It should be easy to recognize and identify, and evoke a sense of pride and belonging among fans.

Q: What are the most important factors in designing a football logo?

A: The most important factors in designing a football logo are its ability to reflect the club’s history, values, and spirit, as well as its ability to be easily recognizable and memorable. A good logo should also be simple, yet distinctive, and should incorporate the club’s colours and any relevant symbols or motifs.

Q: How do football logos impact the fan experience?

A: Football logos have a significant impact on the fan experience, serving as a symbol of pride and identity for supporters. They are often worn on shirts, printed on posters and flags, and even tattooed on fans, and help to create a sense of community and belonging among fans.

The Disappointing Reboot: A Critical Look at the Freakier Friday Poster

A Sequel in Question

It’s safe to say that the film industry has been in a bit of a sequel slump for some time now, and I’m usually unphased. However, occasionally, there’s an announcement that makes me think, "Who asked for this?" One of the more recent cases was the announcement of Freakier Friday – the upcoming sequel to the teen classic, Freaky Friday, and a beacon of my tween years.

The Disappointing Poster

While I was willing to hold my reservations until the film’s official release, the newest promo poster design has made me a little… sad. Whether it’s the tepid recreation of the original poster or the half-baked forced nostalgia, I can’t help but be a little disappointed in the Freakier Friday poster.

Comparison to the Original

The Freakier Friday poster is essentially a modern recreation of the original 2003 Freaky Friday design. While the original played heavily on stylistic distinctions, the new design’s oversaturated look doesn’t carry the same visual punchiness. With exaggerated costumes and props, the original poster illuminates the generational gap through costume design and styling, while in comparison, the new design feels costumey without purpose, lacking the campy theatrical contrast of the 2003 design.

Lack of Creativity

Admittedly, I may be a little biased, but from the poster alone, Freakier Friday feels like a sequel for the sake of it, rather than a thoughtful expansion of the original film. The design fails to capture the contrast of the original, which gives the film its unique charm. While I’m a little concerned about the sequel, I’ll remain on the fence for now.

Conclusion

The Freakier Friday poster’s lack of creativity and forced nostalgia has left me underwhelmed. While I’m willing to reserve judgment until the film’s release, the poster’s uninspired design has raised my concerns about the sequel’s potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are you criticizing the Freakier Friday poster?
A: I’m criticizing the poster for its lack of creativity, oversaturated look, and forced nostalgia, which may not accurately represent the film’s quality.

Q: Are you a fan of the original Freaky Friday?
A: Yes, I have fond memories of the original film and was excited to hear about the sequel, but the disappointing poster has tempered my enthusiasm.

Q: Will you be watching the film?
A: I’m willing to give the film a chance, but my expectations are low, and I’ll be evaluating it based on its own merit, rather than its connection to the original.

Bifrost for Maya: Redefining 3D Animation, Modelling, and Effects

Bifrost for Maya isn’t just an addition to the software; it’s a transformative tool that has been able to redefine the landscape of 3D animation, modelling, and effects. With its advanced visual programming capabilities, Bifrost allows artists to push beyond traditional boundaries and explore new creative horizons.

01. Installing MJCG Compounds

Before starting, we need to install the required compounds. Download the latest version of MJCG Compounds and copy it to a folder at the filepath ‘Users \ username \ Autodesk \ Bifrost \ Compounds’. If this address doesn’t exist, you can create the folders yourself. Do note that the latest version of MJCG Compounds works with Bifrost 2.6 and above. After copying, make sure to edit the ‘maya.env’ file and add this line of code:

BIFROST_LIB_CONFIG_FILES=C:/…/MJCG_compounds/bifrost_lib_config.json

02. Opening the Bifrost Browser

We want to open one of the default Bifrost scenes to create our own strands by changing the field parameters and setting input geometry. To do this, go to the Windows menu and select Bifrost Browser. There are numerous scenes you can explore by viewing the various graphs to see Bifrost’s capabilities. Click on the Fields section, select ‘flat_hurricane_noise’, and hit Import.

03. Using the Graph Editor

The Graph Editor is a powerful tool that allows us to create complex simulations and animations. We can use it to not only change the intensity of light, reflections, and so on, but also to more easily solve any problems with the render.

04. Selecting Render Settings

Sampling in render settings is key, and eliminating render noise is hugely important. But remember that arbitrarily higher numbers mean a longer render time. In this project, the sampling numbers were as follows: Camera AA 7, Diffuse 3, Specular 3. In the Ray Depth tab: Diffuse 2, Specular 3. Save the image as an EXR file and ensure all render layers are stored in the final image.

05. Using Multi-Pass Compositing

With Nuke, you have the ability to load an EXR file and use the Shuffle node to separate the individual render layers, then recombine them and change every layer as you want. You can also isolate the Z-depth pass to utilize its data with the ZDefocus node, which enables you to create your desired depth of field effect. This process gives you precise control over the final image by manipulating various individual elements and applying specific effects to enhance the resulting visual.

06. Adding Depth of Field

Next, let’s use depth of field and bokeh effects. Use the ZDefocus node and assign the Z-depth input to the Depth Channel. Now set the Output option to ‘focal plane setup’ and place the Focal Point where you want the focus to be. By setting the Size and Maximum, we can define the blurriness of the out-of-focus areas. For this project, we want to select ‘far=0’ as the Math algorithm.

07. Wrapping up the Image

For the final image, we need two sections of depth of field, so we’ll use two setups and mask them with the Roto node. This way, we get larger bokeh effects in the back and left side of the image, and smaller bokeh effects on the front-right. Finally, the colors are corrected with Color Correct and Grade nodes, and a bit of noise and cinematic grain added with the Grain node.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the capabilities of Bifrost for Maya and how it can be used to create complex simulations and animations. We have also seen how to use multi-pass compositing and depth of field effects to enhance the final image. With its advanced visual programming capabilities, Bifrost allows artists to push beyond traditional boundaries and explore new creative horizons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Bifrost for Maya?
A: Bifrost for Maya is a transformative tool that has been able to redefine the landscape of 3D animation, modelling, and effects.

Q: What are the benefits of using Bifrost for Maya?
A: Bifrost for Maya allows artists to push beyond traditional boundaries and explore new creative horizons, with its advanced visual programming capabilities.

Q: How do I install MJCG Compounds?
A: To install MJCG Compounds, download the latest version and copy it to a folder at the filepath ‘Users \ username \ Autodesk \ Bifrost \ Compounds’. If this address doesn’t exist, you can create the folders yourself. Do note that the latest version of MJCG Compounds works with Bifrost 2.6 and above. After copying, make sure to edit the ‘maya.env’ file and add this line of code: BIFROST_LIB_CONFIG_FILES=C:/…/MJCG_compounds/bifrost_lib_config.json

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Innocn 49Q1R: A 49-inch curved monitor for gaming and creativity

The Innocn 49Q1R is the largest curved monitor I’ve ever tested, surpassing the AOC AGON PRO AG456UCZD. The AGON beast was crowned gaming monitor champion in our best curved monitors guide and for good reason. With a 3440 x 1440 WQHD resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, it was hard to find much wrong with the display.

Innocn’s latest offering focuses less on gaming features and more on raw, unrivalled resolution. The 5K QHD (5120 x 1440p) resolution might even see the HP Z34c G3 toppled as the ultimate ultrawide in our roundup of the best monitors.

Design and build

The Innocn 49Q1R is, as the name suggests, a 49-inch panel. It is a serious whopper, and I couldn’t quite believe how long the box was when it arrived on my doorstep. It’s the equivalent of having two 27-inch monitors side by side but without the benefit of location customisation that having two separate monitors affords.

Features and performance

A staggering 5120 x 1440p resolution and 32:9 ultrawide aspect ratio provides an abundance of screen real estate for gaming, multitasking, and long timeline video editing. The 144Hz refresh rate delivers for most AAA games but won’t satisfy professional gamers. HDR 400 & Adaptive-Sync ensure enhanced contrast, rich colours, and smooth frame transitions for top-level performance.

Performance

The Innocn 49Q1R is billed as a gaming monitor, so let’s begin there. There’s no getting away from the fact that it delivers a wonderfully immersive experience. The 1800R curvature draws you into the action like nothing I’ve experienced before. High contrast and vibrant colours made everything I displayed on it look fantastic. You’ll struggle to find a higher-performing curved monitor at this price point.

Scorecard

Who’s it for?

Primarily for gamers, secondarily for creatives.

Buy it if

• You’re a gamer looking for immersive gaming
• You’re a fan of ultrawide curved monitors
• You crave top-resolution gaming

Don’t buy it if

• You would prefer the flexibility of a multi-monitor setup
• You want a budget-friendly monitor setup