#The cat they're holding is actually my cat julian

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Hi! I have a request for a headcanon: what would it be like to give the m6 piggy back rides or asking the m6 for a piggy back ride?? Also take this cat as a token of my appreciation :) love ur work

The Arcana HCs: Piggy Back Rides

~ that cat is adorable and seems as though it is in need of some peace. I shall take to my barnyard. @notjasondeannn thank you for the lovely prompt, I hope you enjoy what I made with it! - brainrot ~

Julian

This man is a textbook older brother. You have a standing invitation to hop on the moment you feel the slightest bit tired

Please ask him for a piggy back ride

He's delighted to take care of you in whatever way you let him, and it's a fantastic opportunity to hold you close

He runs so cold anyways, having you on his back is like carrying around the world's most stunningly crafted personal heater and he will let you know how much he appreciates that

If you offer to carry him he'll be very quick to accept and a little slower to climb on. He doesn't want to knock you over

Will swoon at the fact that you carried him

However the piggy back ride started, it always ends the same way - with him taking full advantage of your physical proximity to press kisses to whatever part of you he can reach

Asra

Piggy back rides? Oh, you mean walking snuggles?

Yeah, they like the sound of that

He actually has quite a bit of practice giving you piggy back rides from when you were recovering. It was an easy way to get you from point A to point B that didn't disorient you too much

They're still quick to offer one if you look tired, but they're more likely to suggest a nap break, which is why it doesn't happen as often

Has a bad habit of trying to hold your feet when he carries you

If you offer one to them they're hopping right up, no questions asked

Falls asleep within minutes without fail

Will sleepily mumble right into your ear about all the daydreams he's having and his plans for once you two are back home

Nadia

She's not very fond of them, only because of how often her older sisters would offer her one when she was perfectly capable of walking on her own two little legs, thank you very much

She'd much rather carry you in her arms than on her back

That said, she's not opposed to the idea if you request a ride from her

She does very much like to pamper you

A little startled when she twists her ankle and you offer her a piggy back ride back to her chambers

She'll take you up on the offer, but it's a difficult position to maintain a certain level of dignity in and the backs of her knees are secretly very ticklish

She'll be open to doing that again, but only if there's nobody around to see

And you are not to mention this to any of her sisters

Muriel

A piggy back ride? From him? Okay

Do not mention the blush spreading all the way across his face, neck, and ears or he will drop you

He really enjoys giving you piggy back rides - it's a moment where he's grateful for his strength and size and he gets to enjoy cuddles from you without the awkwardness of not knowing how to respond

Do not make any sudden intimate movements ( murmuring in his ear, kissing his cheek, snuggling closer, etc) or, once again, he will get startled and drop you

He'll apologize after but will also refuse any further piggy back requests to protect his own sanity

If you ask to carry him he will say no

It doesn't matter if you're physically capable or not. He'll give you one chance a year on your birthday to pick him up and that is it

Portia

The first to suggest them

It doesn't matter how much bigger you are than she is, she is determined to pick you up and carry you however she can

If a piggy back feels too silly to you she'll go straight for a fireman's carry and sling you over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. There is no stopping her

Will make all kinds of teasing comments about never letting you go when she can just carry you there

Always comments on how cute your feet are and starts brainstorming the next nail polish color for your toes

Quick to request piggy back rides from you for no reason except that she wants to be close to you

And she likes feeling how strong you are next to her

Lots of silly whispers and giggling in your ear, plus multiple smooches to your cheek

Lucio

Just as likely to offer one as you are to request one

Keeps up a running commentary the whole time you're on his back about how he could carry you forever and wondering out loud if you're swooning for him yet

Will make a suggestive comment about you riding him

If your knees/feet/legs are remotely ticklish, he's not going to be able to resist

Doesn't ask outright for piggy back rides but will not-so-subtly hint at wanting one

Genuinely delighted when you offer

Will make a suggestive comment about riding you

Brags to anyone who will listen about it both while it's happening and during the twenty-four hours that follow

Kisses are an expected form of payment either way

[garf-lover96]

i know about fagottino... and i thought

fagottino prezioso... cat...

rowan and pepi...

how does rowan act with pepi

i thought about this ask for more than a second and decided that answering this question for ALL the familiars would be more interesting. also you read my mind again because i swear i was thinking about Rowan spending time with Pepi the day before you sent it omfg

Pepi: he visits Portia's cottage to hang out with her and Pepi equally. makes sure to always bring her a treat and occasionally a new toy. sweeps her up into his arms and smothers her in kisses and compliments as a greeting 'ojjjj Pepitka how radiant you are today :)'. also lets her loaf on him for hours. Bluebell loves playing with her too, they chase each other around a bunch

Malak: Rowan makes sure that he and Julian bond with each other enough, he really wants to help them understand each other better. but he also coddles him soooooo much and it kind of pisses Julian off when he takes the bird's side in a conflict....... i mean, he is a bird guy, what did you expect. Bluebell was initially pretty nervous around him but she got over it and they're besties now! they just bicker sometimes as housemates do

Faust: long term besties! Rowan has a soft spot for reptiles because of her. loves her silly little tongue and her body texture so he doesn't mind her squeezing him, also is willing to let her hang out on him like he's a tree at all times. a little too squeamish to feed her a dead rat himself but is fascinated by the way she just..... gulps them down. woah..? really loves babying her and calling her silly nicknames as well. Bluebell and Faust are like that photo of a snake hanging from a roof and squeezing a bird but /pos /affectionate (Rowan and Bluebell are both very squeezable)

Melchior and Mercedes: (i'm assuming the dogs stayed at the palace after Lucio was exiled??? there was no mention of what happened to them in Julian's route so..) Rowan actually goes out of his way to visit and play with them, he adores them so much. literally fell in love with them at first sight. they're precious angels that can do no evil. he'd roll around in mud with them if that would make them happy. Bluebell likes to get them riled up and fly away immediately after so she doesn't get caught by the JAWS

Chandra: he was a little stiff around her at first??? imagine going to a bird playdate with your trusty little magpie and the other bird looks like a smaller version of a biblically accurate angel. he warmed up to her after a few visits and pets her freely now. likes holding her in his lap and watching her head turn to insane angles. Bluebell's a little jealous of her glamour...

Inanna: he doesn't visit Muriel all that much so he's not used to being around her. he's still scared that she'll bite his face off and prefers to let her approach first if she feels like it. he goes pretty stiff while petting her too... i mean my god why does this guy have a whole ass wolf living in a house with him, it makes him uneasy. Bluebell stays away from her, she wouldn't risk being eaten

animals. love them so much

[ryan-nugenthopkins]

speak to me about these wips of yours. i've never heard of any of them before and i am simply so very curious

I love you so much Julian mwah

I will not talk about the funny gamer men on here but uh catboy fic (ie My Teammate Turned into a Cat?!) started as "what if Draisaitl turned into a cat sometimes" and has quickly turned into "hey what would the PR and hockey ops response be to a player literally turning into a cat" and also "hey what's the horror of people changing in ways that are unknowable to you" so it's going well! The horrors of bureaucracy, mostly.

Nonetheless here's a TikTok/IG Reel I thought one of the content producers would make as a sick joke a few weeks into the curse manifesting:

The players are walking back to the locker room, still in gear, presumably after a practice. A text caption reading, “If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?” is displayed on the screen as the video rapidly cuts to the players responding, either off the ice or in the locker room.

McLeod grins, looks at the person holding up the phone camera.

“Uh, definitely a dog.”

Nugent-Hopkins looks mildly taken aback but is smiling.

“I’m not sure, actually. Maybe a wolf?”

Someone calls out something unintelligible from off camera. The camera spins and zooms in to catch Hyman laughing.

“I’m not a horse, you —”

Hyman looks thoughtful and affable, as if giving the question serious thought.

“I think I’d be a dog. A Golden Retriever, maybe? They’re pretty smart and loyal.”

Kulak looks mildly amused.

“Some type of dog.”

Holloway laughs loudly.

“I think being a dog would be great.”

Desharnais shrugs, before turning to someone off camera.

“A bear? A bear’s cool, right?”

The response is muffled, but Desharnais laughs anyway and faces the camera again.

“Stu says moose. I’ll go with that.”

Skinner smiles politely at the camera.

“I think I’d like to be a cat. They seem pretty smart and quick.”

McDavid lets out a little media chuckle and runs a hand through his hair.

“Uh… I don’t know. Probably a dog. … What breed? I’m not sure. Maybe I’d just look like Lenny, or something.”

Draisaitl stares at the camera, stone-faced. After a couple of seconds he grits out —

“A cat. I guess.”

--

Bouch/Clouder Academia AU is basically omg they were roommates doing graduate degrees. It's part of a much broader alternate universe where basically any NHL player that is funny to me is now an academic. I have read so many papers on topics that are not relevant to my own field of study.

Bouch is studying sports medicine as an MSc. He's looking at resiliency and recovery in professional sports and aims to be a physiotherapist after he graduates. He was set to go pro but had a spree of injuries and rough accidents on the ice before and during his stint in the OHL and his drafting prospects plummeted.

Clouder's a PoliSci/Media Studies MA studying how nationalistic narratives are built through sports coverage. He's the only one of three sons that is not playing pro hockey and he has no problems because of it at all :) He's still figuring out what he wants to do with his life.

The fic is mostly following them in their first year at their local university and how they navigate each other and the hockey-related problems they're both dealing with. It went shippy/slowburn "mostly" by accident, but whatever. They'll figure it out eventually. Here's a random snippet:

The holidays seem to have started a pattern. Not enough to be a constant, but enough to know it’s always there, a safety net in the back of his mind. Some days, Ryan will hang up from a family call the day after an impressive game from Michael and there’s a case study that needs to be proofread, immediately; some days, Evan’s gritting his teeth going down the stairwell and it’s easy to duck under his arm, take some pressure off his knee. A scar for a story, one regret for another.

Back and forth, like a passing drill.

It’s not weird, or gay, or whatever bullshit Jungian term Stu is now using for their friendship just because he got caught asking D.R. about painkiller interactions once. It’s open — there’s a comfort there, a familiarity that settles somewhere near Ryan’s sternum and makes it easier to breathe. That’s normal, probably, for a friendship. Quiet reciprocity, which might be the crux of the problem, a fear that he can’t properly describe.

He appreciates those moments where Evan feels comfortable enough to share, to trust in him. Some are easier, a memory of unlucky circumstance with a speedy return. Others — the larger ones, usually, or complications that took him off the ice for months at a time — make it seem like he’d rather pull out his own fingernail than tell. But he does so anyway, stilted and hesitant, and something cold slides down Ryan’s spine every time.

It takes a few more weeks for him to name that feeling guilt, but it’s the closest he’s probably going to get.

[apprenticesoleil]

They're the local lesbian cat moms in Vesuvia

[hotcat37]

Things I like/love abt Trailer park boys,,,my beloveds

-random cats and dogs showing up throughout the episodes (I love how they just exist ig? Like they're not always acknowledged but sometimes you see a character holding a random cat or petting a dog and it rlly just makes the environment feel alive)

-I love the semi recurring gag of the boys going to jail at the end of every season, and if it's not Ricky and Julian it's only one of them or another character

-the season finales are ALWAYS fcking incredible and even in the Netflix seasons I've always been entertained by the shitstorm coming together

-the little detail of Julian always tucking his shirt into his pants,, it rlly gave him even more character to me and I was sad that he didn't do it anymore later on 😣

-the sense of community in the earlier seasons like,,I absolutely love that despite how greasy the boys' scams are they still go out of their way to help other park residents and you can tell they just absolutely love everyone there

-Ricky's cool fcking jacket when he worked at that school as a janitor <3

-everyone (well except Julian sometimes lol) being friendly to Treena despite being the kid of Mr Lahey. I found it rlly sweet that she got to hang out with them and she clearly felt rlly comfortable around them

-Trinity just being absolutely unhinged as a kid but also having this rlly sweet side to her? Despite acting off the rails at first she's mellowed out quite a lot as she got older and idk I feel like that's good for her character and makes her stand out from the rest of her family

-random but I love how Julian rejects Lucy every time she comes onto him. In a lot of shows this causes conflict cuz Lucy is ofc Ricky's girlfriend and Julian is Ricky's bestie and therefore there's often some kind of strange love triangle or at least a flirty relationship going on. But you can tell how much Julian respects Ricky and he's never harsh when he rejects her, which is a rlly compelling character trait in my opinion

-Bubbles not giving a fck abt toxic masculinity and just dressing however the fuck he likes and expressing his interests openly. It's so refreshing to see a male character just unapologetically being themselves without constantly being the butt of the joke. I also love how genuine his friendship with the boys is and that they don't make fun of him or exclude him for not being as conventionally 'masculine' as they are

-Ricky and Sara's relationship in Season 2,,,I really liked them together and they had good chemistry imo

-Randy always saying frigg off!!!! instead of fuck off but still saying bitch and whatnot lmfao

-Ricky doing absolutely insane shit (rolling a massive joint, being on fire) and Julian being completely desensitized to it

-background characters actually having names and having their own personality and running gags. They make the show feel so unique and real and it wouldn't be the same without Donnie constantly screaming "WHAT IN THE FUCK!!!!" or other shit going on in the background

-the pilot in particular tbh idk it usually takes a while for me to get into shows and I didn't have any expectations going into TPB but I was immediately sucked into the story. Like the aesthetics, the mockumentary format.... The fact that Ricky and Julian are a dynamic duo right off the bat even when they're claiming they'll stay away from each other is just so compelling. Julian very clearly being the protector of the park and having so many people look up to him sets him up as such an interesting and likeable character because we feel his struggle in both wanting to do better for himself and wanting to be there for the park residents. Ricky on the flip side seems like the 'bad' one of the two but it quickly becomes clear that he's struggling just as much as the rest of them and that he feels disoriented and lonely without his best friend. The little moment when Ricky stands outside Julian's trailer in the dark, petting a cat while Julian softly says he thinks Ricky is a good guy....just *cheffs kiss*

-the whole vibe of season 7. It really stands out from the other seasons because despite it being comedic as usual and having a slow start, there's just this weird ominous sense throughout the episodes. Like it's got this creepy supernatural feel to it sometimes. Like that shot of Julian's Monte Carlo sinking slowly into the lake, with the dark sky and shit? Horrifying. Like straight up that shit creeped me out lmao I rlly wish they'd do another season with more of those ominous moments

-I don't know how to explain this one but i fcking love how the main trio looks visually? Like not just "oh yeah they're attractive" but as in, these characters are super recognizable. In some shows I often mix characters up because there's nothing particularly outstandingly abt their appearance while here they're just so diverse? Julian's drink, his beard and his usual black outfit.... Bubbles with his massive eyes n coke bottle glasses, and his blonde hair.... Ricky with his Houndstooth shirt and pompadour and sideburns.... They just look so unique and i really wish the animated series would've exaggerated their proportions and physical traits because that would've been perfect in a cartoon setting 😫

-nobody caring that Randy and Lahey are gay. Obv this show still has some issues in regards to portraying LGBT characters but I love that none of the characters ever make a big deal out of these two's relationship. They only judge them for their strange sex shenanigans lmao Like Julian accidentally walking in on them that one time. He literally didn't even flinch he just got what he came for and when he got back he was like "geez you think you know some people...." referring to the strange roleplay but other than that he seemed completely unfazed. Idk it's like weirdly comforting to see how casual everyone is abt it

-J-Roc's dialogue bring creative and funny AF. Who's The Microphone Assassin? is one of my favorite episodes purely because of that incredible rap at the end lmfao It Could Happen To You plays randomly in my head all day every day ☠☠

-every character having a greasy side to them. Like they're all complex in their own ways and in some episodes a character could act antagonistic while the next episode they might be the most sane character of the bunch. I just like that they're not one dimensional

-the quotable AF dialogue and iconic scenes. Even ppl who have never even heard of Trailer Park Boys know the legendary scene where Lahey says "Julian! :D" and then proceeds to drunkenly stumble down the stairs. I quote shit like "had a couple drinks, saw a couple things...." or "that's one fucking nice kitty right there" so much that it's become part of my regular vocabulary 🐈

-specific but characters re-wear their clothes which makes the show feel more realistic

-the camera work being somewhat realistic and not managing to stay perfectly still when the camera crew starts running lol

-the low quality of the first seasons. It gives the episodes a nostalgic vibe to it

-Ricky being the only one who can successfully trick the cops while when the other boys try it, it fails miserably

-Cory and Trevor <3 That's it. That's the point

-it doesn't really have anything to do with the show itself but I love how many pictures/promo material that aren't in the show are available. There's so many cool pictures or deleted scenes to find online

-ig this is up to personal interpretation but I think it's cute how awkward Julian is with his love interests. Like it's not very noticeable with Candy in season 1 but with Julian's other love interests he just acts a little strange because despite the romances he's had throughout the show he clearly struggles to act any different around his girlfriends lol I think it's really endearing -all 3 of the boys openly (in Bubbles case privately lmfao) finding Coolnow absolutely adorable

This is definitely not all of the things I love abt the show but it's still quite a few! This show means the world to me so after my dislikes list it would only be right to compile what I love abt TPB <3

[sunflowersseemhappy]

May I ask for the main 6 with an mc who's plague eyes resurface when they're angry/sad/scared?

This ask had me feeling a lot, so it’s good that I no longer had the moving tiredness. 

REQUESTS ARE CLOSED, but for now here is my Masterlist!

I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!

Asra

It happened immediately after he brought you back and Asra thought he had got the ritual wrong bringing you back as you were after you got ill.

He was almost afraid to touch you, almost...

But after all this time all he wanted to do was hold you, he didn’t care if you had the plague or he got ill he just wanted to comfort you when he saw how confused and scared you were.

He held you until you stopped shaking and your breath grew steady and when he pulled back to glance at your eyes again they were bright and clear. No red.

Maybe... had he imagined it?

No.

Over the course of teaching you how to be you again Asra saw those red eyes again, when you were angry, sad or scared.

He had to teach you early on that not everyone would understand and that they might be afraid. You’d have to be careful because people might panic thinking the plague was back.

But he’s been invested in making you feel like you have nothing to hide from him and that he’ll always try to understand what you need.

Those red eyes are a harsh, constant reminder that he could have done better, but at least you are here.

Alive.

Nadia

The first moment Nadia saw that flash of red was after Valerius had spilled that wine all over your front, she dismissed it as a trick of the light.

It was fair to say it didn’t immediately occur to her that it was a sign of the plague, seeing as her memories where so scattered.

However she got a better glimpse the next day and when you saw she saw you had to hastily tell her that it certainly wasn’t how it looked.

As you explained Nadia sat patiently and even though (at the time) you had no idea why exactly it happened, Nadia wholly believed you.

She would have known if you were lying anyway.

What’s more she saw how much it upset you, and it’s certainly not her nature to alienate others for something so trivial.

All she can do is comfort you.

Promising you need never worry about hiding them from her.

Or worrying about what others may think.

Nevertheless she takes great care in keeping you happy so that your plague eyes don’t show, but in the end it’s a part of who you are.

For better or worse.

Julian

He shuffled into the room after you had just let out a string of curse words as you stubbed your toe against the bed frame, he went to laugh but it died inside his throat as he looked at your face.

Your red eyes are glaring angrily at the fame before you realise he’s staring at you with horror and you quickly remember why.

Both of you are silent before Julian practically trips over his feet to catch your face in his hands, turning it about and checking your temperature.

A cold chill has his hands clammy and fumbling, he’s too worried and asking too many questions to acknowledge your own words.

When you get the chance you seize his face and point it to yours demanding he watch your eyes and as you calm down the red disappears.

You tell him it’s okay and although he’s unsure if that’s true he listens as you carefully explain the situation.

He is too relieved for words.

And kind of embarrassed he freaked out so much.

It makes him feel a bit better about his own eye, knowing you two share a similar scar from the past.

Has a laugh at the thought of you wearing two eye-patches to hide it.

From that point on Julian gets the odd chill up his spine when he sees it happen other times, but so long as you’re healthy he’s happy.

It’s all he can ever ask for.

Muriel

The day Muriel saw that red in your eyes you were clinging to him after slipping in the fast current of the river and had just inexplicably been frightened of drowning in it.

Asra almost definitely told Muriel that it happened every so often before the mountain man even met you.

Of course hearing about it is one thing, seeing it is another. It made him uncomfortable to say the least when he saw that scarlet red a reminder of Lucio and the pain he brought to many lives.

You practically felt him stiffen at the touch of your arm (and not just because you were touching him).

Those red eyes reminded him too much of the past.

Seeing the hurt in your eyes as the red dimmed, that was harder.

He should have known better

After all Muriel’s appearance had always been, he knows what its like to feel judged and looked upon in fear.

He doesn’t want you to feel that way and even if other people might be afraid he vows that he won’t (just as you are not afraid of him).

So he takes your hand and gives it a squeeze with apology in his eyes, the two of you don’t really have to say anything but an unspoken word passes between the two of you.

I’m here, I always will be.

Portia

She had never seen the red eyes of plague victims until that evening when you cried over the passing of the injured bird your had been nursing.

At first she thought it was because of your tears but taking a closer look she saw just how red your eyes were and she was instantly bombarded by all the horrible stories people had told her about the plague.

She began crying. A lot.

She didn’t want you to die, and she sniffled that thought out when you asked her what was wrong.

It was a bit awkward telling her what was actually going on with your eyes, and she wanted to triple check your eyes and your temperature.

Afterwards she was quite relieved.

No, very relieved.

You’d just found each other and she could not bear to loose you, it would have been sweet her saying that.

Except when she said that if you left her in such a way she’d probably end up becoming a crazy cat lady and kids would throw stones at her window and then maybe one day she’d meet a kid who would ask her story and then she’d tell them the tragic tale of her sickened lover. And then go on a grand adventure, etc... for a way to bring you back once more.

She has an... active imagination to say the least.

But the two of you wouldn’t have it any other way, you can become crazy cat lady’s together.

Indeed you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lucio

Naturally he sees your red eyes when you angrily tell him off for doing the stupid stuff you told him not to do and he visibly winces at the sight.

He actually falls back in shock and after you realise what he saw you feel pretty bad, but he’s holding out a hand as if to ward you back.

It’s a few moments of terror for Lucio because he remembers being ill and how bad he had felt for all that time and he never wants to feel like that again.

But you’re standing there as the red in your eyes fade and his heart shatters, he didn’t mean to...

You softly explain to him from across the room that you can’t help it, you’re not ill, it just happens when your angry, sad, or scared.

Lucio wouldn’t admit it but he knows he makes plenty of people angry.

Of course at some point he had to make you angry...

Yeah. Maybe he deserved the scare from your eyes...

But right now seeing the hurt in your eyes, Lucio knows you need comfort more than the satisfaction of scaring him after he pissed you off.

So he’ll sigh and grab you into a hug asking you to forgive him for everything and promising you he didn’t mean it.

Maybe he’ll admit to you he was scared, maybe not.

But he won’t ever shy away from you again because through everything you trusted him and he wants you to know you can trust him to stick by you even when he’s scared (of you or something equally as fierce).

Always.

[himbowelsh]

I love how you write Philly crew. It's seriously my favorite thing in the world. How about College AU: Babe sees cute guy on campus (Gene) and desperately tries to find out who he is. His friends help him with investigation like they're on detective show. They try (and probably fail) to create perfect ask-him-out situation for Babe. Babe as grateful for their help as he's embarrassed. They do it all the way, hiding behind bushes, sneaking pictures, watching behind papers. Not subtle at all.

“This is an intervention.”“This is not an intervention.”“This is totally an intervention.”“Will you stop saying that?” Fran snipes, sending Spina an acidic glare. “We are not intervening in anything. We’re just… really great friends.”“Fuckin’ amazing friends,” Bill snorts out, arms crossed over his chest. Fran pats her boyfriend on the chest, grateful for the backup. 

Bill’s arms tighten around Fran’s shoulders, and she nestles further into his chest. It takes all of Julian’s willpower not to roll his eyes. Instead he focuses on the laptop screen in front of him, fingers flying across the keyboard. He has full access to his school's last yearbook, but no amount of hacking skills are going to help him identify someone whose name they don't even have a clue of. All Julian has to go off of is a single grainy cellphone stealth-photo, and he can only scour the yearbook for a trace of that familiar face.A part of him is convinced that Babe isn't even worth it. The last time he needed a favor from that guy, Babe took his laundry out of the washing machine and then left it in a pile outside his bedroom door. Who dumps laundry in the hallway? All he had to do was toss it on the ground in Julian's bedroom, but no. Babe doesn't deserve their help.He's doing it for everyone else, Julian tells himself. Mostly him. If he has to listen to Babe pine over the "really really hot guy who eats lunch in the quad every day" for one more second, he's going to tackle him through a window. (They're both skinny guys, but Babe has about twenty pounds on him, so Julian's not sure how well that'll go, but he'll do his best.) It's been four months of the same non-stop blabber. He's so gorgeous, his eyes are like the night sky, his face is a work of art, he reads all these medical books so he's obviously a genius...(At this, Spina pointedly cleared his throat, but Babe ignored him.)Julian isn't sure whether Babe's desperate or really that hopeless. He knows how his friend can get. He's been glued to Babe's side since the third grade. He's seen Babe's obsessive romantic tendencies in full force. He knows how hard and fast he falls, and how much it hurts when he has to drag himself off the ground again. It's been so long since he's been on a date with anyone that a part of Julian can't help but wonder if he's just projecting romantic feelings onto this romantic stranger.Babe had seemed dead serious when he came to them, however. He kept going on about how he doesn't even know his name, how there's no way he can ask because he'll just make an idiot of himself, and, well...It was like watching a stupid puppy trying to find his way out of a box. It was pathetic, and sad, and maybe a little funny if you like watching people suffer. (Julian muffled his snickers in his fist and did his best to seem supportive.)So, Fran declared it would be their task "as the world's greatest friends" to find Babe's mystery man's identity. As usual, when Fran gets an idea, everyone else just sort of went along with it.That's how Julian wound up here: hacking into his school's yearbook archive while Fran, nestled up in her boyfriend's arms, scrolls through social media profiles on her phone. She insisted her facial recognition app would get them answers, but she hasn't had any luck yet. Spina swears he recognizes the guy but can't think of his name, so he's texting all his med student buddies for help. Meanwhile, Bill...Is taking a nap. Typical."You could try to do something, you know," Julian snipes, barely glancing up from his screen. "Instead of just layin' on your ass.""I've got a very nice ass layin' on me, and I don't plan to move any time soon." Bill doesn't open his eyes, but his hand does creep between he and Fran, out of view. A second later Fran gasps and jumps in his arms.Julian swallows back the taste of vomit. Spina doesn't bother to hide his grimace.He can tell by the annoyed furrow to Fran's that she's been having no luck with social media. His own search through the yearbook also reveals nothing. He can't find a single face which matches the one in the photo. Babe's mystery man seems determined to remain a mystery.Then, just as he's ready to throw in the towel, Spina's phone buzzes. Their friend sits up straight, beanie slipping sideways on his head."I got it," he says.Julian's eyes swivel to him. Fran gapes. Bill doesn't bother opening his eyes. "Got what, the clap?""Don't mix me up with you," Spina shoots back without missing a beat. Then he brandished his phone in the air, holding it like a declaration of war. "Our guy. I found our guy."Fran sits up in Bill's arms, causing him to let out a grunt. "No way!""My friend Renée from Anatomy knows him. His name's Gene Roe... oh, get this, he's an exchange student from Louisiana.""You can't make this stuff up," Fran laughs, tossing back her head. She's beaming as if she's just won first prize on a game show. "That's perfect, Ralph. What else does she say?""Hmm... he's quiet, but nice. Real smart. Cares about people." Spina enunciates this last point, and they all exchange glances. Babe can be empathetic to a fault, so this seems like a brilliant match.Julian can see the cogs in Fran's head turning. She shifts one hand over to massage the muscles in Bill's chest, and the other tugs on one of her curls -- an unconscious habit whenever she's thinking hard about something. Her lips are pursed, eyes narrowed in focus. Behind her eyes, Julian watches a plan shift together."Okay," she announces. "I've got it.""The clap?" Julian and Spina say in unison. It's a standard reply by now."Hey, I'm not him." Fran lightly smacks her boyfriend's chest before turning a grin on the rest of her friends. Julian recognizes that grin; it's never anything but trouble. "I mean, I know how we're gonna get  Babe his boy."

He'll admit, later, that he feels a little ridiculous with a pair of binoculars strapped around his neck and his phone in hand, couched behind (rather, in) a bush.Julian doesn't know how he's the one who always gets roped into doing the most ridiculous things. If he had to guess, it's probably be the copious amounts of blackmail his friends have on him. Whatever the reason, when they need someone to look stupid, he's always the one pushed onto the chopping block.Spina is safely out of sight behind a tree. Fran and Bill are "pretending" to make out on a bench a few yards away. Only Julian is close enough to hear and film everything that's going on, so it's his job to preserve this moment for posterity.Babe slowly makes his way over to the bench, where Gene Roe has his nose buried in a medical textbook. He doesn't look up as Babe approaches. He doesn't even seem to notice until Babe sits down at the end of the bench and says, "Hey."

Roe looks up at him, blinks a few times as if Babe has just said something to him in Swahili, then answers, “Hey.”

Babe leans back against the bench. “Gorgeous day out.”

“It is,” Roe replies, looking down at his book again.

“I mean, so are you.”

Roe’s head snaps up. “What?”

“What?”

“I thought you said --”

“I didn’t say anything --”

“Oh my god,” Julian hisses, and has to refocus his camera when he nearly drops it from laughter. He zooms in on Babe, who wears the expression of a startled cat as he watches Roe blink at him. Slowly he inches back until he’s in danger of falling off the bench. He’s losing his nerve.

A rogue pinecone suddenly flies out of nowhere, sailing past Babe’s head by inches. It wasn’t a miss. Fran was star pitcher of her softball team throughout elementary, middle, and high school. She doesn’t miss. The next pinecone will hit it’s target.

Babe scoots back on to the bench. “Um,” he says, and Roe slowly closes the book in his lap. “You’re a med student, huh?”

“I am. Pre-med, actually.”

“That’s cool! So’s my buddy. Ralph Spina, you know him?”

“I’ve heard the name before.”

Julian rolls his eyes. Of course Roe has heard of their friend. Spina has the memory of a chihuahua on ecstasy. He can have entire conversations with someone and not have a clue what their name is, and his facial recognition is worse than Bill’s singing voice. He could have sat next to Roe all year and not recognizes him until Renée mentioned his name.

Babe is still trying to make conversation. It’s awkward, and a little like he’s drowning, but he’s trying.”So, uhh, you have to study a lot, huh? I’m an engineer, that’s not half the work, but it’s a lot of math and stuff. I’m good at math, but I can’t stand it. I always forget to do my work till the lest minute, then my friend Bill has to smack me and tell me to get my ass in gear, because he’s not helping me if I flunk out --- umm, uhh. Yeah. Math is weird.”

Babe’s face is steadily turning a bright shade of red. Julian can’t help but cringe, even as he zooms in on the brilliant color. He’s so sending this to everyone they know. It’s like watching a trainwreck.

Focused as he is on Babe’s horrified face, he misses the smile that quirks up the corners of Roe’s lips. He doesn’t see the way Roe leans forward a bit, or how his eyes soften in amusement. He does catch the surprise that flickers through Babe’s eyes, however; he can’t zoom out fast enough.

“You’ve seen me sitting here every day,” Roe says, confirming that he’s noticed Babe as well. “What makes you decide to talk to me now?”

Babe shrugs, running a hand through his hair. He’s the picture of bashfulness. Julian can almost understand why Roe finds it charming, but how he could be taken in by Babe’s rambling is anyone’s guess.

A crooked grin stretches across Babe’s face. “To be honest, my friends encouraged me.”

Roe smiles in reply. “Guess you have some great friends, then.”

When Roe turns his head to look directly into the camera, Julian yelps and falls backwards onto his ass. He’s too far away to hear the rest of his so-called friends snickering, but he can imagine their reactions -- until Roe’s head turns in their direction as well. The branches of Spina’s tree rustle, and Bill topples off the bench before Fran can catch him.

Great friends, Julian’s mind echoes mockingly. Babe sure better appreciate what they do for him.

[benfchristie2]

12 of the Best College Logo Designs (And Why They're So Great)

What makes a college logo great?

Think about your alma mater for a second. Do you have a school bumper sticker with the logo emblazoned on it? A hat? A sweatshirt? A flag? Or perhaps all of the above?

If you still bleed your school colors and rock your school swag whenever possible, then chances are, your university did a pretty good job designing its logo. According to the principles of great logo design, the best logos are simple, memorable, timeless, versatile, and appropriate.

Want to see some examples of awesome college logo designs? You're in the right place. I chatted with my colleague,Tyler Littwin, art director here at HubSpot, to choose 12 of the best college logo designs from American universities. Check them out and learn what about their design makes them stand out -- in a good way.

12 of the Best College Logo Designs

1) University of Texas

Source: University of Texas

University of Texas's longhorn silhouette is the hallmark of classic and timeless logo design. The logo hasn't changed since its introduction in 1961, and it remains one of the most iconic college sports logos in the world.

"Any logo that works as a single color design is fantastic," says Littwin. "It's simple, iconic, and has a great tie-in to the 'hook 'em horns' hand symbol."

Source: Awful Announcing

2) University of North Carolina

Source: Carolina Athletics

The interlocking NC, one of the University of North Carolina's athletics logos, features another timeless design -- this time with attention-grabbing colors. Walk into a packed crowd at the Dean Dome, and you'll see a sea of Carolina Blue, the official school color of UNC that dates back to the late eighteenth century.

Tyler gives UNC's logo two thumbs up. "Classic," he says. "A+ from me. Beyond the logotype, the color is a great bit of branding."

3) Ohio University

Source: Ohio University

The "Attack Cat," which represents Ohio University's bobcat mascot, replaced a simple green paw print in 2002 as the school's official athletics logo. While many OU alumni were disappointed with the change -- citing it as too intense -- Littwin likes the new design.

As an objective observer, he says, "It's a good integration of an illustration with type. The whiskers create a nice baseline for the arced text. There's also an overall nice balance: The bobcat is recognizable and 'Ohio' is still 100% legible."

4) University of Oregon

Source: GoAbroad Blog

University of Oregon's "O" logo has hidden meaning: The inside of the "O" represents the shape of the school's track, Hayward Field, while the outside of the "O" represents the shape of Autzen Stadium, the school's football field.

"As iconic and simple of a logo as you could ask for," says Littwin. "I am also a huge fan of the yellow and green color scheme. It reminds me of the Oakland A's, the Norwich Canaries, and so on."

5) University of Notre Dame

Source: Wikimedia

The Notre Dame monogram is the university's most recognizable logo, and it's used for athletics and academics alike. The school's official brand standards call it "recognizable," "representative," "welcoming," and "approachable."

As for what Littwin thinks? "I'm a sucker for really basic logotypes like this one, UNC's, and Iowa State's. They're wonderfully old-school and no-nonsense. Always going to get my vote."

Even Notre Dame's trademarked "Fighting Irish" logo is impressively well-designed for such a unique mascot. "I prefer the stylized 'ND' logo, but there's something really vintage and cool about this surly Irishman," says Littwin. "Normally the more cartoony logos lose me, but this one is a keeper."

Source: fathead

6) University of Miami

Source: Wikimedia

A reporter from the University of Miami's official student newspaper said it best: "There are thousands of universities across the nation, but only one gets to be The U."

The Miami athletics' iconic split-U logo wasn't created until 1973, several years after the student-athlete scholarship fund first commissioned a logo redesign. It was designed by publicist Julian Cole, the first graduate of UM's radio and television department, and graphic artist Bill Bodenhamer, who both were also responsible for designing the Miami Dolphins' current logo.

If you think about it, it was quite a stretch, said Lisa Cole, one of Cole's daughters. They took the U and said, 'This is the university.'"

But it worked, and a hype surrounding the "U" developed over the following few years. It was used for slogans like, "U gotta believe." Littwin calls it "minimalist and recognizable to a brilliant degree."

Even an effort to find a logo replacement in 1979 by Henry King Stanford -- the university's president at the time -- failed, thanks to heavy student campaigning against the change. Nowadays, as with the University of Texas' longhorn symbol, the "U" has its own hand symbol. "Throwing up the U" means holding your hands in the air like this:

Source: PalmBeachPost.com

7) Clemson University

Source: UNC Charlotte

Clemson's tiger paw logo is another one of the most widely recognized collegiate logos in the United States. Although it seems timeless, it actually wasn't introduced until 1970 -- the end of a rebranding campaign that began when the school first admitted women and minorities in 1950.

The logo itself represents a tiger's paw print, rough edges and all. An actual tiger was chosen as the subject for the logo, and the print comes from a cast that was made for the design. In fact, do you see the slight indentation at the bottom of the paw print? According to Clemson's official website, that comes from "a scar that the tiger who had been chosen as the subject for the logo had received before the cast was made."

The genuine paw print makes for a cool design. "The rough paw print is great and somehow works when paired with the more formal-looking type lockup," says Littwin.

Another subtle intricacy of the logo? The 30-degree angle represents the 1:00 p.m. kickoff typical for football games at the time.

8) Bowdoin College

Source: Bowdoin College

While Bowdoin's mascot has been the Polar Bear for over 100 years, this particular version of its logo is fairly recent: It was made official by the university in 2008. A student reporter for the school's official student newspaper explains: "The new logo is intended to serve as a consistent and timeless graphic identity for the College."

Previously, the polar bear logo had been unofficial -- and it had been represented by everything from a "cartoonish" running polar bear on student keycards, to a "more aggressive" profile of a bear with its mouth open as if it were snarling.

"Noting that in the wild, polar bears have no predators other than man, and that a ferocious, growling mascot was not the image the college was looking to project," wrote the student reporter, "[VP for Communications and Public Affairs Scott] Hood said that there's 'something appealing about having a mascot that is looking directly at you.'"

Littwin agrees -- that's what makes this logo so strong. "The polar bear seems remarkably calm and composed," he says. "I trust him."

9) Hofstra University

Source: CAA Sports

The Hofstra Pride logo was "developed to build a strong visual identity" for its athletic department, according to its official usage guide. It's represented by a pair of lions, male and female, that appear to be charging in the same direction. Furrowed brows and windswept manes give them a sense of determination and strength.

"The Pride conveys both the teamwork and togetherness that are traits of lions living in a pride, that have a close bond and work together for the good of the entire group," reads the guide. It was created for the university's athletic department in 2005.

"A very clever and awesome design," notes Littwin. "It's rare to see a university get both sexes of a mascot into the same logo. Well done, Hofstra."

10) Missouri Western State University

Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Missouri Western State University started using the Griffon logo in 1973, several years before the school became a fully funded four-year state college. Why a Griffon? Because "it was considered a guardian of riches, and education was viewed as a precious treasure," reads the school's official website.

The logo symbolizes more than just a mythical animal, though. Notice anything special about its shape? If you look closely, the outline of the Griffon resembles the shape of the state of Missouri. Check it out:

Source: ArtFire

Littwin loves the hidden message. "It's a clever design that also works even if you don't pick up on the geographic reference," he says.

11) Florida International University

Source: Florida International University

The Panthers (originally the "Golden Panthers") replaced the Sunblazers as Florida International University's nickname in 1987 when Roary the Panther became its official mascot.

The logo represents a cool perspective -- it seems to be coming out of the logo directly at the reader.

Littwin agrees. "I love the head-on perspective of this," he says. "There's something atypical and nicely menacing about it."

12) University of Hawai'i

Source: Miracle Mamaki

The University of Hawai'i "H" logo was created for the athletic department in 2000. While the "H" clearly stands for Hawai'i, the school's official website says it also represents the Hawaiian expression "ha," meaning "breath" in Hawaiian. "The spirit of life passed on to us from one person to another, generation to generation, with lessons and success," the website reads.

The cool patterns you see on either side of the "H" were inspired by Hawaiian kapa designs, which derive from native Hawaiian art. "I really like the kapa aesthetic and the simplicity of a one letter logo," says Littwin.

[jasonmkemp4]

12 of the Best College Logo Designs (And Why They're So Great)

What makes a college logo great?

Think about your alma mater for a second. Do you have a school bumper sticker with the logo emblazoned on it? A hat? A sweatshirt? A flag? Or perhaps all of the above?

If you still bleed your school colors and rock your school swag whenever possible, then chances are, your university did a pretty good job designing its logo. According to the principles of great logo design, the best logos are simple, memorable, timeless, versatile, and appropriate.

Want to see some examples of awesome college logo designs? You're in the right place. I chatted with my colleague,Tyler Littwin, art director here at HubSpot, to choose 12 of the best college logo designs from American universities. Check them out and learn what about their design makes them stand out -- in a good way.

12 of the Best College Logo Designs

1) University of Texas

Source: University of Texas

University of Texas's longhorn silhouette is the hallmark of classic and timeless logo design. The logo hasn't changed since its introduction in 1961, and it remains one of the most iconic college sports logos in the world.

"Any logo that works as a single color design is fantastic," says Littwin. "It's simple, iconic, and has a great tie-in to the 'hook 'em horns' hand symbol."

Source: Awful Announcing

2) University of North Carolina

Source: Carolina Athletics

The interlocking NC, one of the University of North Carolina's athletics logos, features another timeless design -- this time with attention-grabbing colors. Walk into a packed crowd at the Dean Dome, and you'll see a sea of Carolina Blue, the official school color of UNC that dates back to the late eighteenth century.

Tyler gives UNC's logo two thumbs up. "Classic," he says. "A+ from me. Beyond the logotype, the color is a great bit of branding."

3) Ohio University

Source: Ohio University

The "Attack Cat," which represents Ohio University's bobcat mascot, replaced a simple green paw print in 2002 as the school's official athletics logo. While many OU alumni were disappointed with the change -- citing it as too intense -- Littwin likes the new design.

As an objective observer, he says, "It's a good integration of an illustration with type. The whiskers create a nice baseline for the arced text. There's also an overall nice balance: The bobcat is recognizable and 'Ohio' is still 100% legible."

4) University of Oregon

Source: GoAbroad Blog

University of Oregon's "O" logo has hidden meaning: The inside of the "O" represents the shape of the school's track, Hayward Field, while the outside of the "O" represents the shape of Autzen Stadium, the school's football field.

"As iconic and simple of a logo as you could ask for," says Littwin. "I am also a huge fan of the yellow and green color scheme. It reminds me of the Oakland A's, the Norwich Canaries, and so on."

5) University of Notre Dame

Source: Wikimedia

The Notre Dame monogram is the university's most recognizable logo, and it's used for athletics and academics alike. The school's official brand standards call it "recognizable," "representative," "welcoming," and "approachable."

As for what Littwin thinks? "I'm a sucker for really basic logotypes like this one, UNC's, and Iowa State's. They're wonderfully old-school and no-nonsense. Always going to get my vote."

Even Notre Dame's trademarked "Fighting Irish" logo is impressively well-designed for such a unique mascot. "I prefer the stylized 'ND' logo, but there's something really vintage and cool about this surly Irishman," says Littwin. "Normally the more cartoony logos lose me, but this one is a keeper."

Source: fathead

6) University of Miami

Source: Wikimedia

A reporter from the University of Miami's official student newspaper said it best: "There are thousands of universities across the nation, but only one gets to be The U."

The Miami athletics' iconic split-U logo wasn't created until 1973, several years after the student-athlete scholarship fund first commissioned a logo redesign. It was designed by publicist Julian Cole, the first graduate of UM's radio and television department, and graphic artist Bill Bodenhamer, who both were also responsible for designing the Miami Dolphins' current logo.

If you think about it, it was quite a stretch, said Lisa Cole, one of Cole's daughters. They took the U and said, 'This is the university.'"

But it worked, and a hype surrounding the "U" developed over the following few years. It was used for slogans like, "U gotta believe." Littwin calls it "minimalist and recognizable to a brilliant degree."

Even an effort to find a logo replacement in 1979 by Henry King Stanford -- the university's president at the time -- failed, thanks to heavy student campaigning against the change. Nowadays, as with the University of Texas' longhorn symbol, the "U" has its own hand symbol. "Throwing up the U" means holding your hands in the air like this:

Source: PalmBeachPost.com

7) Clemson University

Source: UNC Charlotte

Clemson's tiger paw logo is another one of the most widely recognized collegiate logos in the United States. Although it seems timeless, it actually wasn't introduced until 1970 -- the end of a rebranding campaign that began when the school first admitted women and minorities in 1950.

The logo itself represents a tiger's paw print, rough edges and all. An actual tiger was chosen as the subject for the logo, and the print comes from a cast that was made for the design. In fact, do you see the slight indentation at the bottom of the paw print? According to Clemson's official website, that comes from "a scar that the tiger who had been chosen as the subject for the logo had received before the cast was made."

The genuine paw print makes for a cool design. "The rough paw print is great and somehow works when paired with the more formal-looking type lockup," says Littwin.

Another subtle intricacy of the logo? The 30-degree angle represents the 1:00 p.m. kickoff typical for football games at the time.

8) Bowdoin College

Source: Bowdoin College

While Bowdoin's mascot has been the Polar Bear for over 100 years, this particular version of its logo is fairly recent: It was made official by the university in 2008. A student reporter for the school's official student newspaper explains: "The new logo is intended to serve as a consistent and timeless graphic identity for the College."

Previously, the polar bear logo had been unofficial -- and it had been represented by everything from a "cartoonish" running polar bear on student keycards, to a "more aggressive" profile of a bear with its mouth open as if it were snarling.

"Noting that in the wild, polar bears have no predators other than man, and that a ferocious, growling mascot was not the image the college was looking to project," wrote the student reporter, "[VP for Communications and Public Affairs Scott] Hood said that there's 'something appealing about having a mascot that is looking directly at you.'"

Littwin agrees -- that's what makes this logo so strong. "The polar bear seems remarkably calm and composed," he says. "I trust him."

9) Hofstra University

Source: CAA Sports

The Hofstra Pride logo was "developed to build a strong visual identity" for its athletic department, according to its official usage guide. It's represented by a pair of lions, male and female, that appear to be charging in the same direction. Furrowed brows and windswept manes give them a sense of determination and strength.

"The Pride conveys both the teamwork and togetherness that are traits of lions living in a pride, that have a close bond and work together for the good of the entire group," reads the guide. It was created for the university's athletic department in 2005.

"A very clever and awesome design," notes Littwin. "It's rare to see a university get both sexes of a mascot into the same logo. Well done, Hofstra."

10) Missouri Western State University

Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Missouri Western State University started using the Griffon logo in 1973, several years before the school became a fully funded four-year state college. Why a Griffon? Because "it was considered a guardian of riches, and education was viewed as a precious treasure," reads the school's official website.

The logo symbolizes more than just a mythical animal, though. Notice anything special about its shape? If you look closely, the outline of the Griffon resembles the shape of the state of Missouri. Check it out:

Source: ArtFire

Littwin loves the hidden message. "It's a clever design that also works even if you don't pick up on the geographic reference," he says.

11) Florida International University

Source: Florida International University

The Panthers (originally the "Golden Panthers") replaced the Sunblazers as Florida International University's nickname in 1987 when Roary the Panther became its official mascot.

The logo represents a cool perspective -- it seems to be coming out of the logo directly at the reader.

Littwin agrees. "I love the head-on perspective of this," he says. "There's something atypical and nicely menacing about it."

12) University of Hawai'i

Source: Miracle Mamaki

The University of Hawai'i "H" logo was created for the athletic department in 2000. While the "H" clearly stands for Hawai'i, the school's official website says it also represents the Hawaiian expression "ha," meaning "breath" in Hawaiian. "The spirit of life passed on to us from one person to another, generation to generation, with lessons and success," the website reads.

The cool patterns you see on either side of the "H" were inspired by Hawaiian kapa designs, which derive from native Hawaiian art. "I really like the kapa aesthetic and the simplicity of a one letter logo," says Littwin.

[benfchristie2]

12 of the Best College Logo Designs (And Why They're So Great)

What makes a college logo great?

Think about your alma mater for a second. Do you have a school bumper sticker with the logo emblazoned on it? A hat? A sweatshirt? A flag? Or perhaps all of the above?

If you still bleed your school colors and rock your school swag whenever possible, then chances are, your university did a pretty good job designing its logo. According to the principles of great logo design, the best logos are simple, memorable, timeless, versatile, and appropriate.

Want to see some examples of awesome college logo designs? You're in the right place. I chatted with my colleague,Tyler Littwin, art director here at HubSpot, to choose 12 of the best college logo designs from American universities. Check them out and learn what about their design makes them stand out -- in a good way.

12 of the Best College Logo Designs

1) University of Texas

Source: University of Texas

University of Texas's longhorn silhouette is the hallmark of classic and timeless logo design. The logo hasn't changed since its introduction in 1961, and it remains one of the most iconic college sports logos in the world.

"Any logo that works as a single color design is fantastic," says Littwin. "It's simple, iconic, and has a great tie-in to the 'hook 'em horns' hand symbol."

Source: Awful Announcing

2) University of North Carolina

Source: Carolina Athletics

The interlocking NC, one of the University of North Carolina's athletics logos, features another timeless design -- this time with attention-grabbing colors. Walk into a packed crowd at the Dean Dome, and you'll see a sea of Carolina Blue, the official school color of UNC that dates back to the late eighteenth century.

Tyler gives UNC's logo two thumbs up. "Classic," he says. "A+ from me. Beyond the logotype, the color is a great bit of branding."

3) Ohio University

Source: Ohio University

The "Attack Cat," which represents Ohio University's bobcat mascot, replaced a simple green paw print in 2002 as the school's official athletics logo. While many OU alumni were disappointed with the change -- citing it as too intense -- Littwin likes the new design.

As an objective observer, he says, "It's a good integration of an illustration with type. The whiskers create a nice baseline for the arced text. There's also an overall nice balance: The bobcat is recognizable and 'Ohio' is still 100% legible."

4) University of Oregon

Source: GoAbroad Blog

University of Oregon's "O" logo has hidden meaning: The inside of the "O" represents the shape of the school's track, Hayward Field, while the outside of the "O" represents the shape of Autzen Stadium, the school's football field.

"As iconic and simple of a logo as you could ask for," says Littwin. "I am also a huge fan of the yellow and green color scheme. It reminds me of the Oakland A's, the Norwich Canaries, and so on."

5) University of Notre Dame

Source: Wikimedia

The Notre Dame monogram is the university's most recognizable logo, and it's used for athletics and academics alike. The school's official brand standards call it "recognizable," "representative," "welcoming," and "approachable."

As for what Littwin thinks? "I'm a sucker for really basic logotypes like this one, UNC's, and Iowa State's. They're wonderfully old-school and no-nonsense. Always going to get my vote."

Even Notre Dame's trademarked "Fighting Irish" logo is impressively well-designed for such a unique mascot. "I prefer the stylized 'ND' logo, but there's something really vintage and cool about this surly Irishman," says Littwin. "Normally the more cartoony logos lose me, but this one is a keeper."

Source: fathead

6) University of Miami

Source: Wikimedia

A reporter from the University of Miami's official student newspaper said it best: "There are thousands of universities across the nation, but only one gets to be The U."

The Miami athletics' iconic split-U logo wasn't created until 1973, several years after the student-athlete scholarship fund first commissioned a logo redesign. It was designed by publicist Julian Cole, the first graduate of UM's radio and television department, and graphic artist Bill Bodenhamer, who both were also responsible for designing the Miami Dolphins' current logo.

If you think about it, it was quite a stretch, said Lisa Cole, one of Cole's daughters. They took the U and said, 'This is the university.'"

But it worked, and a hype surrounding the "U" developed over the following few years. It was used for slogans like, "U gotta believe." Littwin calls it "minimalist and recognizable to a brilliant degree."

Even an effort to find a logo replacement in 1979 by Henry King Stanford -- the university's president at the time -- failed, thanks to heavy student campaigning against the change. Nowadays, as with the University of Texas' longhorn symbol, the "U" has its own hand symbol. "Throwing up the U" means holding your hands in the air like this:

Source: PalmBeachPost.com

7) Clemson University

Source: UNC Charlotte

Clemson's tiger paw logo is another one of the most widely recognized collegiate logos in the United States. Although it seems timeless, it actually wasn't introduced until 1970 -- the end of a rebranding campaign that began when the school first admitted women and minorities in 1950.

The logo itself represents a tiger's paw print, rough edges and all. An actual tiger was chosen as the subject for the logo, and the print comes from a cast that was made for the design. In fact, do you see the slight indentation at the bottom of the paw print? According to Clemson's official website, that comes from "a scar that the tiger who had been chosen as the subject for the logo had received before the cast was made."

The genuine paw print makes for a cool design. "The rough paw print is great and somehow works when paired with the more formal-looking type lockup," says Littwin.

Another subtle intricacy of the logo? The 30-degree angle represents the 1:00 p.m. kickoff typical for football games at the time.

8) Bowdoin College

Source: Bowdoin College

While Bowdoin's mascot has been the Polar Bear for over 100 years, this particular version of its logo is fairly recent: It was made official by the university in 2008. A student reporter for the school's official student newspaper explains: "The new logo is intended to serve as a consistent and timeless graphic identity for the College."

Previously, the polar bear logo had been unofficial -- and it had been represented by everything from a "cartoonish" running polar bear on student keycards, to a "more aggressive" profile of a bear with its mouth open as if it were snarling.

"Noting that in the wild, polar bears have no predators other than man, and that a ferocious, growling mascot was not the image the college was looking to project," wrote the student reporter, "[VP for Communications and Public Affairs Scott] Hood said that there's 'something appealing about having a mascot that is looking directly at you.'"

Littwin agrees -- that's what makes this logo so strong. "The polar bear seems remarkably calm and composed," he says. "I trust him."

9) Hofstra University

Source: CAA Sports

The Hofstra Pride logo was "developed to build a strong visual identity" for its athletic department, according to its official usage guide. It's represented by a pair of lions, male and female, that appear to be charging in the same direction. Furrowed brows and windswept manes give them a sense of determination and strength.

"The Pride conveys both the teamwork and togetherness that are traits of lions living in a pride, that have a close bond and work together for the good of the entire group," reads the guide. It was created for the university's athletic department in 2005.

"A very clever and awesome design," notes Littwin. "It's rare to see a university get both sexes of a mascot into the same logo. Well done, Hofstra."

10) Missouri Western State University

Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Missouri Western State University started using the Griffon logo in 1973, several years before the school became a fully funded four-year state college. Why a Griffon? Because "it was considered a guardian of riches, and education was viewed as a precious treasure," reads the school's official website.

The logo symbolizes more than just a mythical animal, though. Notice anything special about its shape? If you look closely, the outline of the Griffon resembles the shape of the state of Missouri. Check it out:

Source: ArtFire

Littwin loves the hidden message. "It's a clever design that also works even if you don't pick up on the geographic reference," he says.

11) Florida International University

Source: Florida International University

The Panthers (originally the "Golden Panthers") replaced the Sunblazers as Florida International University's nickname in 1987 when Roary the Panther became its official mascot.

The logo represents a cool perspective -- it seems to be coming out of the logo directly at the reader.

Littwin agrees. "I love the head-on perspective of this," he says. "There's something atypical and nicely menacing about it."

12) University of Hawai'i

Source: Miracle Mamaki

The University of Hawai'i "H" logo was created for the athletic department in 2000. While the "H" clearly stands for Hawai'i, the school's official website says it also represents the Hawaiian expression "ha," meaning "breath" in Hawaiian. "The spirit of life passed on to us from one person to another, generation to generation, with lessons and success," the website reads.

The cool patterns you see on either side of the "H" were inspired by Hawaiian kapa designs, which derive from native Hawaiian art. "I really like the kapa aesthetic and the simplicity of a one letter logo," says Littwin.

[jasonmkemp4]

12 of the Best College Logo Designs (And Why They're So Great)

What makes a college logo great?

Think about your alma mater for a second. Do you have a school bumper sticker with the logo emblazoned on it? A hat? A sweatshirt? A flag? Or perhaps all of the above?

If you still bleed your school colors and rock your school swag whenever possible, then chances are, your university did a pretty good job designing its logo. According to the principles of great logo design, the best logos are simple, memorable, timeless, versatile, and appropriate.

Want to see some examples of awesome college logo designs? You're in the right place. I chatted with my colleague,Tyler Littwin, art director here at HubSpot, to choose 12 of the best college logo designs from American universities. Check them out and learn what about their design makes them stand out -- in a good way.

12 of the Best College Logo Designs

1) University of Texas

Source: University of Texas

University of Texas's longhorn silhouette is the hallmark of classic and timeless logo design. The logo hasn't changed since its introduction in 1961, and it remains one of the most iconic college sports logos in the world.

"Any logo that works as a single color design is fantastic," says Littwin. "It's simple, iconic, and has a great tie-in to the 'hook 'em horns' hand symbol."

Source: Awful Announcing

2) University of North Carolina

Source: Carolina Athletics

The interlocking NC, one of the University of North Carolina's athletics logos, features another timeless design -- this time with attention-grabbing colors. Walk into a packed crowd at the Dean Dome, and you'll see a sea of Carolina Blue, the official school color of UNC that dates back to the late eighteenth century.

Tyler gives UNC's logo two thumbs up. "Classic," he says. "A+ from me. Beyond the logotype, the color is a great bit of branding."

3) Ohio University

Source: Ohio University

The "Attack Cat," which represents Ohio University's bobcat mascot, replaced a simple green paw print in 2002 as the school's official athletics logo. While many OU alumni were disappointed with the change -- citing it as too intense -- Littwin likes the new design.

As an objective observer, he says, "It's a good integration of an illustration with type. The whiskers create a nice baseline for the arced text. There's also an overall nice balance: The bobcat is recognizable and 'Ohio' is still 100% legible."

4) University of Oregon

Source: GoAbroad Blog

University of Oregon's "O" logo has hidden meaning: The inside of the "O" represents the shape of the school's track, Hayward Field, while the outside of the "O" represents the shape of Autzen Stadium, the school's football field.

"As iconic and simple of a logo as you could ask for," says Littwin. "I am also a huge fan of the yellow and green color scheme. It reminds me of the Oakland A's, the Norwich Canaries, and so on."

5) University of Notre Dame

Source: Wikimedia

The Notre Dame monogram is the university's most recognizable logo, and it's used for athletics and academics alike. The school's official brand standards call it "recognizable," "representative," "welcoming," and "approachable."

As for what Littwin thinks? "I'm a sucker for really basic logotypes like this one, UNC's, and Iowa State's. They're wonderfully old-school and no-nonsense. Always going to get my vote."

Even Notre Dame's trademarked "Fighting Irish" logo is impressively well-designed for such a unique mascot. "I prefer the stylized 'ND' logo, but there's something really vintage and cool about this surly Irishman," says Littwin. "Normally the more cartoony logos lose me, but this one is a keeper."

Source: fathead

6) University of Miami

Source: Wikimedia

A reporter from the University of Miami's official student newspaper said it best: "There are thousands of universities across the nation, but only one gets to be The U."

The Miami athletics' iconic split-U logo wasn't created until 1973, several years after the student-athlete scholarship fund first commissioned a logo redesign. It was designed by publicist Julian Cole, the first graduate of UM's radio and television department, and graphic artist Bill Bodenhamer, who both were also responsible for designing the Miami Dolphins' current logo.

If you think about it, it was quite a stretch, said Lisa Cole, one of Cole's daughters. They took the U and said, 'This is the university.'"

But it worked, and a hype surrounding the "U" developed over the following few years. It was used for slogans like, "U gotta believe." Littwin calls it "minimalist and recognizable to a brilliant degree."

Even an effort to find a logo replacement in 1979 by Henry King Stanford -- the university's president at the time -- failed, thanks to heavy student campaigning against the change. Nowadays, as with the University of Texas' longhorn symbol, the "U" has its own hand symbol. "Throwing up the U" means holding your hands in the air like this:

Source: PalmBeachPost.com

7) Clemson University

Source: UNC Charlotte

Clemson's tiger paw logo is another one of the most widely recognized collegiate logos in the United States. Although it seems timeless, it actually wasn't introduced until 1970 -- the end of a rebranding campaign that began when the school first admitted women and minorities in 1950.

The logo itself represents a tiger's paw print, rough edges and all. An actual tiger was chosen as the subject for the logo, and the print comes from a cast that was made for the design. In fact, do you see the slight indentation at the bottom of the paw print? According to Clemson's official website, that comes from "a scar that the tiger who had been chosen as the subject for the logo had received before the cast was made."

The genuine paw print makes for a cool design. "The rough paw print is great and somehow works when paired with the more formal-looking type lockup," says Littwin.

Another subtle intricacy of the logo? The 30-degree angle represents the 1:00 p.m. kickoff typical for football games at the time.

8) Bowdoin College

Source: Bowdoin College

While Bowdoin's mascot has been the Polar Bear for over 100 years, this particular version of its logo is fairly recent: It was made official by the university in 2008. A student reporter for the school's official student newspaper explains: "The new logo is intended to serve as a consistent and timeless graphic identity for the College."

Previously, the polar bear logo had been unofficial -- and it had been represented by everything from a "cartoonish" running polar bear on student keycards, to a "more aggressive" profile of a bear with its mouth open as if it were snarling.

"Noting that in the wild, polar bears have no predators other than man, and that a ferocious, growling mascot was not the image the college was looking to project," wrote the student reporter, "[VP for Communications and Public Affairs Scott] Hood said that there's 'something appealing about having a mascot that is looking directly at you.'"

Littwin agrees -- that's what makes this logo so strong. "The polar bear seems remarkably calm and composed," he says. "I trust him."

9) Hofstra University

Source: CAA Sports

The Hofstra Pride logo was "developed to build a strong visual identity" for its athletic department, according to its official usage guide. It's represented by a pair of lions, male and female, that appear to be charging in the same direction. Furrowed brows and windswept manes give them a sense of determination and strength.

"The Pride conveys both the teamwork and togetherness that are traits of lions living in a pride, that have a close bond and work together for the good of the entire group," reads the guide. It was created for the university's athletic department in 2005.

"A very clever and awesome design," notes Littwin. "It's rare to see a university get both sexes of a mascot into the same logo. Well done, Hofstra."

10) Missouri Western State University

Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Missouri Western State University started using the Griffon logo in 1973, several years before the school became a fully funded four-year state college. Why a Griffon? Because "it was considered a guardian of riches, and education was viewed as a precious treasure," reads the school's official website.

The logo symbolizes more than just a mythical animal, though. Notice anything special about its shape? If you look closely, the outline of the Griffon resembles the shape of the state of Missouri. Check it out:

Source: ArtFire

Littwin loves the hidden message. "It's a clever design that also works even if you don't pick up on the geographic reference," he says.

11) Florida International University

Source: Florida International University

The Panthers (originally the "Golden Panthers") replaced the Sunblazers as Florida International University's nickname in 1987 when Roary the Panther became its official mascot.

The logo represents a cool perspective -- it seems to be coming out of the logo directly at the reader.

Littwin agrees. "I love the head-on perspective of this," he says. "There's something atypical and nicely menacing about it."

12) University of Hawai'i

Source: Miracle Mamaki

The University of Hawai'i "H" logo was created for the athletic department in 2000. While the "H" clearly stands for Hawai'i, the school's official website says it also represents the Hawaiian expression "ha," meaning "breath" in Hawaiian. "The spirit of life passed on to us from one person to another, generation to generation, with lessons and success," the website reads.

The cool patterns you see on either side of the "H" were inspired by Hawaiian kapa designs, which derive from native Hawaiian art. "I really like the kapa aesthetic and the simplicity of a one letter logo," says Littwin.