The Story Behind the NSST Logo, and Designer Priyanka Modi

Since the first meetings of what would become the Nashville Soccer Supporters Trust – which were held three years ago this month – a lot of work has been done to define the Trust and its mission.  One piece of this puzzle was completed in the summer of 2019, when we debuted our logo.

The logo is the work of a local graphic designer and photographer named Priyanka Modi.  Modi grew up in England, and often logged hours in her parents’ small grocery store. She credits her time there with her early interest in graphic design, saying:

“I grew up working there and being surrounded by so many different types of products and branding, and I think my passion stemmed from seeing how packaging would change seasonally and how branding can affect the opinions of consumers.”

Modi had been visiting family in Middle Tennessee for years, and wanted to move to the area someday.  She completed her undergraduate degree at ETSU, and then moved further west by pursuing a second degree at MTSU in Mufreesboro.

While at MTSU, Modi worked some with Clay Trainum. Trainum, ever the enthusiastic soccer fan, was on the Trust’s Executive Committee at the time, and approached Modi about creating a logo for the freshly commissioned group.

Modi says that the objective with this project was to create a logo design that is memorable and straightforward while looking both professional, authoritative, and established. The logo must incorporate elements that reflect a fun and dynamic tone, with a sense of pride for Nashville.  To represent the city, she chose to show a “graphic illustration of the Batman Building… and vertical strokes which draw on the symbolism of Nashville as Music City.”  She says also that “the clean tricolor color palette, consisting of navy blue, white and the yellow/gold; chosen specifically to demonstrate a sense of energy and positivity in addition to the connection it builds to the official logo for the Nashville Soccer Club*. The high contrast of this combination also provides a cleaner legibility of the text.”

Currently, Modi works for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, where she does print and digital design in addition to some product photography. She also does freelance design work, and her portfolio can be found at www.priyankamodi.com.

*At the time of the logo’s design, the colors matched those used by the USL club. The MLS club’s colors are slightly different.