11) To be honest, I keep interested in the league for multiple reasons. First, I love football as a sport, and I'm very competitive. I joined this league once my real-life athletics were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Developing as an athlete, even one that really doesn't exist beyond a circle with the number 77 in it, was something I really enjoyed. Tuning in every other day to watch not only myself but the competition was an exciting part of my schedule. Seeing the work I was doing paying off (even though its ultimately not that much), was so much fun to see. On top of that, I've been blessed to work in not one, but 2 fantastic locker rooms. The communities have been great to me not only because I've been a part of them, but I've also helped to build and cultivate them. I've made friends and no enemies, so I've been doing something right. The energy in the locker room after a win is just as energetic as it gets in an offline atmosphere. Who could have guessed that dot football could bring people together so effectively?
Another major facet of the ISFL that I love is the media. Writing articles and designing graphics allows me to engage with myself creatively and often analytically. Having a space to be creative outside of an education institution is a fantastic opportunity that I love having. Plus, people's reaction and criticism of my work is more than welcome and is very appreciated. Steel sharpens steel, as they say. Plus, the opportunities I've had where people ask me to make them graphics because they like the work I do is so very validating, and I really cannot express how much it means that total strangers can appreciate the things that I've made.
Moreover, I also really like the gaming community that branches off of the league. And no, I don't mean Warzone. I'm talking about the Uno League, Werewolf games, Fake Survivor, Diplomacy, etc. Not only does the ISFL bring people together over a love of the game of football, it also acts as an in-between for people with all kinds of hobbies, likes, wants, desires. Playing in the ISFL has exposed me to new people and new experiences outside of its forums. Despite the grind of making money to buy equipment, there is always people to talk to and fun to be had. That's why I keep on coming back every single day.
21) I think that the best branding in the league is probably that of the Sarasota Sailfish. First, the alliteration is perfect. Second, the mascot is appropriate for the city, which itself is a popular sport fishing location. Though sailfish are not the most popular catch in Sarasota's waters, they can certainly be found in Florida's waters. Third, the color scheme is fantastic. The light green and blue contrast well, as do the navy blue and white. Together they make a compelling logo, and even more compelling uniform designs. On the other hand, I think that the Baltimore Hawks may have the worst branding. Not because of the name, which I think is totally fine. But their logo and it's color scheme have me concerned. The logo itself doesn't really scream hawk to me. When I imagine a hawk, I imagine a viscous bird with massive talons and large, beady eyes. This logo really has neither. And I know it's been said time and time again, but the random streak of red doesn't really fit. I think a redesign of the logo to include a full bird, talons out, with piercing eyes would better serve their name. And on top of that, make it red tailed, that way the tertiary red color can be incorporated. If the bird is yellow still, that's fine. I think changing the accent color to a chestnut brown rather than a black would also better serve their look.
29) I don't know if this would translate all that well as an award, but I think that forum-related stats or awards could be an interesting addition. Showing a Top 10 in TPE earnings for the season, Top 5 in correct predictions, Top Media Producers, and other similar categories could be interesting. Since so few players can actually receive a nomination, let alone a vote on their ballots, engaging with users more directly could be a beneficial addition to the awards show, which I imagine gets less eyes on it than normal games or even drafts. These don't even need to be official awards, but I think the entire point of an awards show is to give out recognition for the work people put into the league and their character, and by providing people with these broader recognitions would only be for the better. Even if the people being recognized for their work off the field are the same as those who receive accolades for their work on the field, it makes little difference because they would clearly deserve it. I also think that recognizing people's achievements in this objective and quantifiable way would circumvent the regular controversy that clouds the voting and awarding processes.
Another major facet of the ISFL that I love is the media. Writing articles and designing graphics allows me to engage with myself creatively and often analytically. Having a space to be creative outside of an education institution is a fantastic opportunity that I love having. Plus, people's reaction and criticism of my work is more than welcome and is very appreciated. Steel sharpens steel, as they say. Plus, the opportunities I've had where people ask me to make them graphics because they like the work I do is so very validating, and I really cannot express how much it means that total strangers can appreciate the things that I've made.
Moreover, I also really like the gaming community that branches off of the league. And no, I don't mean Warzone. I'm talking about the Uno League, Werewolf games, Fake Survivor, Diplomacy, etc. Not only does the ISFL bring people together over a love of the game of football, it also acts as an in-between for people with all kinds of hobbies, likes, wants, desires. Playing in the ISFL has exposed me to new people and new experiences outside of its forums. Despite the grind of making money to buy equipment, there is always people to talk to and fun to be had. That's why I keep on coming back every single day.
21) I think that the best branding in the league is probably that of the Sarasota Sailfish. First, the alliteration is perfect. Second, the mascot is appropriate for the city, which itself is a popular sport fishing location. Though sailfish are not the most popular catch in Sarasota's waters, they can certainly be found in Florida's waters. Third, the color scheme is fantastic. The light green and blue contrast well, as do the navy blue and white. Together they make a compelling logo, and even more compelling uniform designs. On the other hand, I think that the Baltimore Hawks may have the worst branding. Not because of the name, which I think is totally fine. But their logo and it's color scheme have me concerned. The logo itself doesn't really scream hawk to me. When I imagine a hawk, I imagine a viscous bird with massive talons and large, beady eyes. This logo really has neither. And I know it's been said time and time again, but the random streak of red doesn't really fit. I think a redesign of the logo to include a full bird, talons out, with piercing eyes would better serve their name. And on top of that, make it red tailed, that way the tertiary red color can be incorporated. If the bird is yellow still, that's fine. I think changing the accent color to a chestnut brown rather than a black would also better serve their look.
29) I don't know if this would translate all that well as an award, but I think that forum-related stats or awards could be an interesting addition. Showing a Top 10 in TPE earnings for the season, Top 5 in correct predictions, Top Media Producers, and other similar categories could be interesting. Since so few players can actually receive a nomination, let alone a vote on their ballots, engaging with users more directly could be a beneficial addition to the awards show, which I imagine gets less eyes on it than normal games or even drafts. These don't even need to be official awards, but I think the entire point of an awards show is to give out recognition for the work people put into the league and their character, and by providing people with these broader recognitions would only be for the better. Even if the people being recognized for their work off the field are the same as those who receive accolades for their work on the field, it makes little difference because they would clearly deserve it. I also think that recognizing people's achievements in this objective and quantifiable way would circumvent the regular controversy that clouds the voting and awarding processes.