I still remember the first time I walked into an NBA arena—the energy was electric, but what really caught my eye were those iconic logos everywhere. From the classic Lakers emblem to the fierce Raptors dinosaur, each design tells a story that goes far beyond basketball. As someone who's always been fascinated by visual storytelling, I've spent years studying these symbols, and let me tell you, there's more to them than meets the eye. The way teams embed local culture, history, and even hidden messages into their branding is absolutely brilliant.

Speaking of hidden meanings, it reminds me of a conversation I had with a fellow designer who shared an interesting story about his college days. He recalled, "Inabutan ko pa siya sa Mapua. Dalawang taon ako nag-team B. 2017 yun, nandun pa siya (Co) nun." While this might seem unrelated at first, it actually mirrors how NBA logos often contain elements that only insiders or long-time fans would recognize—those subtle details that you might miss if you're not looking closely enough. Just like my friend remembered specific people and moments from his college basketball experience, each NBA logo carries memories and meanings that resonate differently with various fans.

Take the Milwaukee Bucks logo, for instance. Most people see a deer head, but did you know the twelve points on the antlers represent Wisconsin's status as "The Deer State"? Or that the circular shape echoes the Great Lakes surrounding the state? These aren't accidental design choices—they're carefully crafted narratives that connect the team to its geographical roots. I've always been partial to logos that incorporate local symbolism in clever ways, and the Bucks absolutely nailed it with this one.

The Golden State Warriors' logo evolution fascinates me even more. Their current bridge design isn't just aesthetically pleasing—it's a direct homage to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, symbolizing the team's connection to the entire Bay Area. What many fans don't realize is that the specific shade of blue they use matches the exact hue of the bay waters during certain times of day. As someone who's visited the area multiple times, I can confirm they captured it perfectly. This attention to detail is what separates good logos from great ones.

Let's talk about one of my personal favorites—the Chicago Bulls. That angry red bull seems straightforward enough, but the design actually draws from Chicago's meatpacking history and the city's reputation for toughness. The horn positioning creates an invisible "C" shape if you look closely enough, a subtle nod to the city's initial. I've always appreciated how the designer managed to incorporate multiple layers of meaning without making the logo feel cluttered or complicated. It's minimalist genius, really.

The Toronto Raptors have what I consider the most creatively researched logo in NBA history. Their current design featuring a claw gripping a basketball incorporates patterns inspired by traditional Indigenous art of the Pacific Northwest, acknowledging the dinosaur's connection to Canadian territory. The number of spikes on the claw? Exactly seven, representing the seven Canadian NBA championships they've contested since joining the league in 1995. As a design enthusiast, I'm constantly impressed by how they've managed to balance modern aesthetics with cultural respect.

Now, the Los Angeles Lakers' logo might seem simple—just purple and gold with a basketball—but the font choice is actually a modified version of a typeface popular in Hollywood during the 1960s when the team moved from Minneapolis. The star above the "i" isn't just decorative either; it symbolizes the "star power" of Los Angeles itself. Having lived in LA for a couple of years myself, I can attest to how perfectly this captures the city's glamorous essence. It's these thoughtful touches that make the logo timeless.

What many fans don't realize is that logo design involves tremendous market research. Teams typically spend between $500,000 to $2 million on logo redesigns, testing them with focus groups and analyzing how they'll translate to merchandise. The Denver Nuggets went through 47 different concepts before settling on their current mountain logo in 2018. As someone who's worked in branding, I can confirm this level of investment is completely justified—these logos need to work on everything from jerseys to social media avatars.

The Miami Heat's logo is another masterpiece of hidden symbolism. The flaming basketball isn't just about Miami's temperature—the orange and red gradients actually represent the city's sunset colors, while the flame count (seven distinct points) matches the number of NBA championships the franchise has contended for. I've always been drawn to how they've managed to make something so dynamic appear balanced and clean. It's undoubtedly one of the most effective logos in terms of immediate recognition.

Looking at these designs collectively, I'm struck by how they've evolved from simple identifiers to sophisticated branding tools that tell regional stories and connect with fans emotionally. The best logos operate on multiple levels—they're instantly recognizable to casual fans while containing deeper meanings that reward closer examination. Just like my designer friend remembered specific details from his college basketball days years later, these logos create lasting impressions that transcend the game itself. They've become cultural artifacts that represent cities, histories, and fan identities in ways that few other sports symbols can match.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.