I wanted to exact a translation of the brand through my dialect. A culmination of being a Chicano from the West Coast and a member of a subculture of punk rock and hardcore. Vibrant colors, intricate linework, chrome curves to resemble an old car ornament, and the duality of life and death, a prevalent throughline in Latino culture and art. Projecting a sense of urgency to do what's most passionate to you within the finite amount of time we have here.  

Both the Anchor and "S" pieces are meant to "family" together, rather than be totally separate pieces.  

The pattern is based on the classic Paisley design, which is global for bandanas; it comes in the essential fit for all young vatos and veteranas when cultivating their sense of self. You crease your pants, keep your shoes clean, button your top on the flannel, and you put a bandana in your back pocket. I don't make the rules. I just follow them. So I wanted Kraken to have that feel on that front. 

I saw a lot of Latino culture properly represented on past Hispanic Heritage nights for the organization, but not really showing the perspective of the Chicano diaspora. I believe I brought that into the fold.

Woven Tides reflects the quiet strength that connects a community, drawing inspiration from symbols of resilience, harmony, and heritage. Elements such as interwoven knotwork, paired koi fish, blooming lotus, and jade honor AANHPI heritage and the many individual stories and cultural experiences that come together as something larger, echoing the spirit of Common Thread and the strength found in connection.

I wanted these designs to feel welcoming & full of personality. To me, the strongest communities are built around people, so I chose to make a joyful person the heart of each design. The anchor represents strength & stability, but the focus is really on the feeling of belonging & celebrating people who call this community home. I used my bold illustrative style & layered colors to create artwork that feels modern but full of movement. I hope that my designs help people see themselves in the organization & feel like they're part of something that is both grounded & full of fun.

The design draws on the natural ecology of our region for inspiration. Mountains, ivy, and tree lines are all things we are lucky enough to interact with on a daily basis as Seattleites. These elements were translated into woodcut prints, a process that artists on the West Coast have used for more than a century to capture the beauty of our natural surroundings.

I decided to enclose the image inside of a dark green circle to bring out the vibrancy of the red and pink colors. The simplified color palette was created to ensure a clear depiction of the design due to its elaborate detail. The arched doorway is decorated with Talavera tiles, which is a type of traditional item in Mexican pottery and ceramics. These tiles are often used to decorate kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor pathways. I’m very drawn to the symmetry in their designs, so I replicated that effect with the surrounding greenery. The “S” in the primary logo is outlined in red with a pink background and a strategically placed green leaf to act as the eye of the Kraken.

Each piece of artwork is connected through the overarching theme of pride and meant to evoke the magic of queer and trans joy. The black background in the artwork is meant to signify the darkness, hardship, and struggle so many of us face on our journey to find and accepting our own unique identity; we are the bright colors bursting through the darkness unafraid to be unapologetically ourselves. You will find rainbows, pride flags, and queer symbolism throughout each piece, some loud and proud, and others more subtle. Together we are strong ,and united we are proud. We stand for love.

This artwork envisions a futuristic hockey league, celebrating the evolution and impact of black athletes in the sport. Set in the future, my art pays homage to trailblazers like Willie O’Ree, who shattered the NHL’s color barrier in 1958, and the many other Black players whose perseverance and talent helped shape the league. ​

Abstract shapes weave throughout the composition, each representing the diverse individuals who changed the face of hockey. These forms symbolize unity, progress, and the growing diversity within the sport, echoing the influence of Black Athletes who have inspired a new generation to take the ice. ​

With a blend of bold motion, energy, and futuristic elements, this piece not only honors the past but also envisions a future where the game continues to evolve, opening doors for new talent and greater inclusivity. ​

The design draws on the natural ecology of our region for inspiration. Mountains, ivy, and tree lines are all things we are lucky enough to interact with on a daily basis as Seattleites. These elements were translated into woodcut prints, a process that artists on the West Coast have used for more than a century to capture the beauty of our natural surroundings.

This illustration is a representation of the spirit of our people, our cultures, traditions, handicrafts, etc. The main inspiration is Quetzalcóatl ("Feathered Serpent" in Nahuatl), the God of life, light and wisdom, also related to arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. Quatzalcóatl was revered in different forms in different cultures throughout Mesoamerica. The pattern and colors in the art are inspired by ancient patterns found in architecture, textiles and art from all over Latin America.

The disco ball symbolizes a particular moment in the journey of the LGBTQ+ community to liberation; a time when queer people could more openly self-express and see their true selves reflected back to them in spaces that felt inclusive and celebratory. For the logo, I utilized colors and patterns previously crafted for a 2022 painting in which a giant, glorious, gay dance party is depicted unfolding.

Whilst putting the iconic Kraken anchor in conversation with the fun and audacious spirit of disco, the image of the Village People immediately came to mind. I pictured lovely little gay sailors dancing under the disco ball, amongst an anchor. After additional workshopping with Kraken associates, I zeroed in on the grasped hands of the sailors to highlight the necessity and beauty of community support across identities within it.

As I previously mentioned, some of the colors/patterns seen in the numbers and letters were originally crafted for a commissioned 2022 Pride painting. A new context allowed me to dream bigger, so I stepped outside of the rainbow and into the wild!

The design is a fusion of the traditional and the future. Traditional African tribal patterns with bold repetitive geometric shapes combined with Afro futuristic patterns, incorporating mechanical style lines almost resembling a circuit board. The color purple represents nobility, ambition, creativity, spirituality, and mystery. Orange represents optimism, happiness, and warmth. Brilliant Blue represents energy, innovation, and action. The purpose of the fusion is to honor the traditions and heritage by using them as a foundation to create the future. History is less than perfect but the lessons learned can and should be the tools used to create progress.

Focusing on threatened & endangered birds of the PNW without including our vital, well-known plants is like a moon without stars. Plus, a Coho salmon, to commemorate their environmental & cultural significance as their numbers in the Columbia River rapidly diminish. Our intrinsic connection to biodiversity is profound; we cannot have one without the other. Each living thing has a dependency on one another that cannot be compromised without devastating consequences. Our birds cannot live without our fish, our trees cannot live without our wildlife, and our fish cannot live without our plants. We are all connected. At least 72% of the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth forests have been lost since the arrival of European settlers. Old-growth forests play vital roles in wildlife habitat, species diversity, hydrological regimes, nutrient cycles, carbon storage, and numerous other ecological processes. This loss is due to logging, settler industrialization, and climate change. The logging industry is how Portland, Oregon, coined its moniker “stumptown”. Old-growth forests are culturally, spiritually, and ecologically important to the Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest. The desolation of old-growth trees over 500 years old for profit is paradoxical to the Earth’s survival. This land demands its “return back” to its original caretakers.

The primary logo references the Dog Salmon as the "S" with the moon behind it. In the story, the Dog Salmon stole the creator when he was a child, and after many years, the child was discovered by the Blue Jay. The feathers around the "S" and the moon represent the Blue Jay's search for the child. She likes to believe that children who were stolen and brought to boarding schools had a greater purpose, like the child from the creation story. Before the child was stolen and brought to Earth, he lived in the sky world. The child and his family would climb a cedar rope from the sky to Earth. The red cedar rope is wrapped around the anchor, weaving patterns on each side. The weaving patterns are three cedar hats and a ladder. The lettering represents the sky world, while the swirls represent the mist at Snoqualmie Falls and the Snoqualmie People.

Barry was inspired by the Colored Hockey League and its core founding tenets - providing space for Black men to share space, worship, and build together - leading to the fight for identity and inclusion in hockey over the years. Barry adapted to "S" logo to include the Pan African Flag colors. The secondary logo connects the anchor with a peace sign to represent love, equality for all, and non-violence in the face of inequity and civil rights issues. The symbols and colors all tie together to tell a story about fighting oppression and racism. This calls back to the AfroCanadians who built the foundation for the CHL back in 1895 and reminds people today to continue to fight for the rights of future generations.

Nikita describes her work as full of movement, energy, and consciousness. The primary and secondary logos are both inspired by the vibrant colors and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community. The S logo embraces a vibrant color palette, including shades of the rainbow to symbolize diversity and pride. The secondary anchor has been transformed into a heart and rainbow to emphasize unity and support within the hockey community.

Paige Pettibon is an artist based in Tacoma, WA. Her medium focus is acrylic painting, but she has extended to fiber art, beadwork, digital design, and other media. Paige identifies as Black, White, and Salish (from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes).

Ari Glass is a painter and designer born and raised in Seattle. His paintings reveal personal narratives inspired by historical and fictional concepts of kings, queens, and kingdoms, and deal with concepts such as sovereignty and independence.

Simson is a graphic artist living in Seattle, WA. In his conversations with our team, he’s discussed the intersection of gender, sport, sexuality, age, and place. His work focuses on allyship, togetherness, and belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.

The jersey design, created by artist Fox Spears, draws inspiration from traditional Karuk basketry patterns and one of his earlier monotype prints. The prominent square motifs were left intentionally, serving as a visual connection to the square forms found in traditional Karuk drums, honoring both cultural artistry and rhythm within the design.

Artist Stevie Shao’s design on the hockey jersey features plants as a powerful symbol of the ongoing cycle of learning and growth. Just as a seed requires water and care to sprout and thrive, the design reflects the journey of personal and collective development. Central to this theme is the role of women, who are portrayed as constant forces of progress. Demonstrating nurturing, learning, and striving for the betterment of all. Through these intertwined ideas of growth and care, the artwork becomes a visual celebration of resilience, transformation, and the nurturing spirit that drives change.

For Shogo Ota, sustainability takes center stage in his jersey design. The crest serves as a bold emblem of the organization’s commitment to environmental responsibility, grounding the design in purpose. On the shoulders, Ota adds a clever twist: a secondary mark placed within the shape of a recycling logo, but with hockey sticks in place of arrows. This inventive detail connects the sport to the broader movement for sustainability, reminding players and fans alike that hockey’s future depends on caring for the world beyond the rink.