The name "Forge" makes reference to Pittsburgh's steel industry past, and it's hard working people. Pittsburgh is also "forging" a new future, after it's more industrial past, as a city of high tech industry and culture. The colors chosen work with the colors most associate with Pittsburgh's teams, black and gold, but adds a steel gray and red.

My original idea was based from the fact that Pittsburgh had the first robotics institute in 1979 (The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University). So my concepts were of robots, but I could not conjure a name that didn't sound stupid. I found that Pittsburgh use to have a basketball team called the Ironmen, playing in the BAA, but they dropped out in 1947. I liked that name, so I changed the look to less of a robotic look, and to more of an "iron" man. The i-beams of the industry lend well to the team name.

I chose the name "Miners" because I thought it best represented the history of the city and it's coal mining industry.

I chose the name Pioneers because this year marks the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which began in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of Daniel Boone as well as the Conestoga wagon. The pointing Pioneer is kind of a play on ‘The Point”, the place where the three rivers meet.

The Pittsburgh basketball team is named the Polar Bears for Several Reasons. One is it gives pittsburgh another pola mascot to go along with the Penguins the hockey team. Second, they will be playing in mellon arena, also known as the Igloo, so a artic team name, like the Polar bears goes along with this too. And the final reason is the klondike bar was invented in pittsburgh, and the symbol for it is a Polar Bear

The name Smoke is derived from the smoke expelled in large quantities by the early 20th century locomotives, whose contributions to America's economic growth is beyond calculation. The locomotive reflects the blue collar attitude of the citizens of Pittsburgh... tough, hard-working, reliable folk whose tireless efforts drive the economy of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania.

The use of gold and black honours Pittsburgh's athletic history, being the dominant colours of the city's football, hockey, and baseball franchises. Silver-grey as an accent colour serves to add some individualism to this team, and adds the same flair to the logo that the Smoke strive to incorporate on the basketball court.

A Titan, being defined as a person of exceptional importance and reputation, is a perfect ambassador for the hard-working people of Pittsburgh.

Renowned for its industrial production, Pittsburgh is driven by the work ethic of its blue-collar citizens, and with that in mind, the logos and colors capture the determined, strong, and unwavering attitude that all Pittsburghers and Pennsylvanians can take pride in.