
Dan Blessing
@DanJBles
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Founder & Branding Playmaker @designshark | Helping sports brands build world-class identities that fire up entire communities. Your brand is on deck.
Philadelphia, PA
Joined April 2022
The real test of branding? Longevity. Over time, mascots became part of daily school life; painted on buildings, worn on gear, and embraced at events. That’s brand equity: an identity that feels timeless and is weaved into the fabric of the school.
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The best branding connects to values. Schools don’t just get mascots; they get symbols that align with their culture. Students feel confident and the parents feel invested. ROI isn’t just dollars, it’s connection.
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A strong brand doesn’t just look good; it sells. When schools unveil new mascots, merchandise sales surge. Branding done right turns school pride into revenue.
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Branding is more than a logo. When schools launch new mascots, students feel proud to represent their teams. Pride and belonging fuel stronger participation and community spirit. That’s real ROI.
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The client is the expert in their brand. The more information I can gather through discovery, the better I can understand your:. → Project goals.→ What will resonate with your target audience.→ Challenges and pain points to solve for.→ Where your brand needs to live and be.
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Since 2021, I've been trusted to help K-12 and community colleges create a branding presence that has the look and feel of a professional organization and team. I'd love to help elevate your school's athletic identity that'll fire up your entire community.
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Collaboration isn’t just about better results. It’s about building stronger relationships. From the time I started freelancing, to running my branding studio Design Shark full-time, I’ve always emphasized being a creative partner and collaborator.
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Sport Fishing Championship – Team Identities.Full Color Versions. The goal:.→ Uniquely represents each team while still feeling part of the wider SFC brand.→ Their own flexible system: badge, icon, horizontal lock-up, color palette. These are mainly used on:.→ Various merch
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Sport Fishing Championship – Team Identities.01 Color Versions. Since 2021 I’ve had the privilege of teaming up with the Sport Fishing Championship, creating tournament logos, championship badges, division logos, and more. This year SFC formed teams to compete in their tournament
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Branding is more than logos, color palettes or type. It’s about moving beyond current trends to create an identity that speaks directly to teams and organizations that want something meaningful. A connection that turns fans into loyal consumers and consumers into lifelong fans.
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I never pretend to know what goes into every decision when a company rebrands. But it’s still okay to have an opinion, especially if you’re a professional in the field. Hell, even people outside the industry should have an opinion, especially if a brand that used to feel.
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The bar isn’t about having your brand look modern. It’s about building your visual legacy.
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I started designing in 2008, freelancing logos on the side while working at a local print shop. In 2020, I was laid off and had to decide whether to sink or swim. I went all in on Design Shark. 5 years later, I’m still learning, still growing, and still doing what I love.
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5 years ago, I got laid off. Scary at the time, but it pushed me to turn Design Shark into a full-time branding studio. Still not easy, but I will keep pushing forward as I love what I do. Here’s a look at some of my favorite projects from the past 5 years.
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RT @designshark: Friday Reminder:. Always move forward, like a shark. Literally, it's impossible for them to swim backwards. Turn that into….
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A consistent brand is a visible brand. When your identity works across every touchpoint (fan gear, socials, uniforms, signage, etc) you:.→ Boost merch sales.→ Increase engagement.→ Fire up entire communities. Consistency builds visibility. Visibility builds growth.
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Two words that help your sports brand drive results:. Consistency + Visibility. When your logo, colors, and typography show up the same way across every platform, you build trust, recognition, and momentum. Consistency → Visibility → Growth. Is your brand showing up the same.
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Think of your visual identity like a team. Your superstar player matters, but they can’t win without a supporting cast. (As they say, there’s no “I” in “Team.” And yes, Michael Jordan once said, “. but there is an ‘I’ in win,” but I digress.). Many sports brands struggle with.
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(3/3).Each plays a role so your brand can show up consistently and be recognizable no matter the size, surface, or medium.
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(2/3).A strong logo system usually includes:. → Primary Logo (Mascot/spirit mark + wordmark). → Standalone Logo (Mascot/spirit mark without text). → Custom Wordmark (Team/brand name styled to match the logo). → Sub-mark (A head variant or lettermark)
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