It was no surprise they were going this route. The NHL All-Star Game logo was revealed on Wednesday and of course they would use a Silicon Valley theme. The logo is meant to represent an app icon. It’s so predictable they would choose this theme.

But is that the only thing that San Jose/Silicon Valley is known for?

I remember a few years ago when WWE was hosting WrestleMania in Santa Clara and they too went with a Silicon Valley theme, featuring a “play” button as part of their logo.

But could they have chosen some other aspect of San Jose for their logo?

I lived in San Jose for six years and I can tell you that the technology boom is clearly the biggest part of the identity of the South Bay. Even across the country that is what the area is known for. But I would hope that the arts, the culture of the South Bay would get some more recognition than the technology.

But if we look at San Jose and Silicon Valley, what else is more prominent than this? It’s not surprise that they would go this route for the identity of San Jose. I would have hoped that they didn’t have to make the entire logo a complete copy of an app icon.

However if you are going to highlight San Jose, might as well use something people instantly recognize. It’s not a bad logo but it felt too easy to go this route. It’s not an idea that seems unique. But it’s probably the only idea that was considered.

Could there have been different design elements featured that has nothing to do with the tech boom? I’m not sure. What do you think?