Imperial Martial Arts Academy
Mixed Martial Arts Branding
Imperial Martial Arts Academy was a family-owned school that needed a brand to honor their unique curriculum. They taught a specialized blend of Kenpo which is rooted in both Chinese and Japanese mixed martial arts traditions.
We were brought on to design a unified visual identity. The goal was to create a logo that could bridge these diverse cultural influences while working effectively across uniforms, print materials, and exterior signage.
Services
Imperial Martial Arts Academy
Mixed Martial Arts Branding
Imperial Martial Arts Academy was a family-owned school that needed a brand to honor their unique curriculum. They taught a specialized blend of Kenpo which is rooted in both Chinese and Japanese mixed martial arts traditions.
We were brought on to design a unified visual identity. The goal was to create a logo that could bridge these diverse cultural influences while working effectively across uniforms, print materials, and exterior signage.
Strategy
The Design Challenge
A Patriotic Phoenix Logo
The academy taught a blend of American, Japanese, and Chinese styles. Their elite students belonged to a group called the “Order of the Phoenix,” so the client requested a phoenix logo to serve as the school mascot. Our task was to create a modern and eye-catching crest that could tie together three different cultures into a single uniform patch.
We wanted to make sure the bird was the primary focus of the crest. We added rays from a rising sun in the background to symbolize Eastern traditions. However, to give the design a distinctly American twist, we utilized a bold red, white, and blue color scheme.
Typography Strategy
To balance the sharp points of the bird’s feathers, we selected the typeface Versailles. The strong serif angles of this font complemented the aggressive geometry of the illustration.
The Design Challenge
A Patriotic Phoenix Logo
The academy taught a blend of American, Japanese, and Chinese styles. Their elite students belonged to a group called the “Order of the Phoenix,” so the client requested a phoenix logo to serve as the school mascot. Our task was to create a modern and eye-catching crest that could tie together three different cultures into a single uniform patch.
We wanted to make sure the bird was the primary focus of the crest. We added rays from a rising sun in the background to symbolize Eastern traditions. However, to give the design a distinctly American twist, we utilized a bold red, white, and blue color scheme.
Typography Strategy
To balance the sharp points of the bird’s feathers, we selected the typeface Versailles. The strong serif angles of this font complemented the aggressive geometry of the illustration.
Environmental Design
Storefront Signage
The dojo was located in the Willamette neighborhood of West Linn, Oregon. This specific street is known for its old western theme where every building facade must match the era.
We designed a storefront sign that utilized a realistic wood grain texture to blend with the historic aesthetic of the town. The phoenix logo made a subtle appearance on the main sign and was also applied prominently to the front door of the school to welcome students.
Environmental Design
Storefront Signage
The dojo was located in the Willamette neighborhood of West Linn, Oregon. This specific street is known for its old western theme where every building facade must match the era.
We designed a storefront sign that utilized a realistic wood grain texture to blend with the historic aesthetic of the town. The phoenix logo made a subtle appearance on the main sign and was also applied prominently to the front door of the school to welcome students.
Print Collateral
Print Collateral
The uniform patch was the anchor of this entire project. The owner loved the design so much that he allowed us to expand the brand into various print materials.
Auction Tickets: We designed premium black tickets for a local West Linn school auction. These were printed on cardstock with a heavy toothy texture to give them a tactile and high-value feel.
Merchandise: We created branded t-shirts sold at the front desk alongside seasonal postcards. Each card was double-sided and featured an illustrative touch that played off the mixed martial arts theme.
The Design Challenge
Print Collateral
The uniform patch was the anchor of this entire project. The owner loved the design so much that he allowed us to expand the brand into various print materials.
Auction Tickets: We designed premium black tickets for a local West Linn school auction. These were printed on cardstock with a heavy toothy texture to give them a tactile and high-value feel.
Merchandise: We created branded t-shirts sold at the front desk alongside seasonal postcards. Each card was double-sided and featured an illustrative touch that played off the mixed martial arts theme.
FAQ
What services did Graphicsbyte provide for Imperial Martial Arts Academy?
Graphicsbyte provided logo design, visual identity, illustration, patch design, environmental design, signage design, and brand collateral for Imperial Martial Arts Academy. The project ran from 2012 to 2015 and delivered a phoenix crest logo, a uniform patch, storefront signage, and a full suite of print materials including auction tickets, t-shirts, and seasonal postcards.
What was the concept behind the Imperial Martial Arts Academy logo?
The logo is a phoenix crest designed to represent the academy’s elite student group called the Order of the Phoenix. Rising sun rays in the background symbolize Eastern martial arts traditions while a bold red, white, and blue color scheme gives the design a distinctly American character. The Versailles typeface was chosen to complement the sharp geometry of the bird’s feathers with strong serif angles, creating a mark that bridged three cultural traditions in a single unified crest.
How was the Imperial Martial Arts Academy storefront signage designed?
The dojo was located in the Willamette neighborhood of West Linn, Oregon, a street known for its old western architectural theme where every building facade must match the era. Graphicsbyte designed the storefront sign using a realistic wood grain texture to blend with the historic aesthetic of the street. The phoenix logo appeared subtly on the main sign and prominently on the front door of the school to welcome students.
