Here's my two cents on this.

Today's rebrandings are all about keeping the core elements, and reforming the rest of them. I figured that what's most important here is the bear (which is on the Californian flag) and the sunrise colours (yellow, orange, red). Doing that, I got this:

I really hope the changes I've made aren't too radical to the brand's integrity. You previously said that you want something akin to Alaska, so I went for a low-costy approach. 

Isn't Kiwi disqualified? Time stamps mark it as being first displayed in early July. 

Rules:

 

• Livery must have proper titles for its country. (I.E english name and language of the country need to be present if the main language is other than english) 
• Cannot be already established (the goal of this is to promote creativity. Not just enter something with a year of work behind it. 
• Preferably 2 airline submissions per country. 
• Remove your signature by clicking Enable signature in the upper corner. (we want this forum to look as clean as possible)
• Please do not clutter the forum with comments until we close submissions.

N664US, Denmark, Danske, CPH, DK

The entirety of New Caledonia is under the shaded portion of BFS' map... should be a valid entry in my book. If it's shaded, it's included, including American Samoa (US), Guam (US), Northern Mariana Islands (US), and Wallis-et-Futuna (France). No one complained when that guy made a Guamanian entry, so why should we complain now?

I'm no professional, but I have a few steps when it comes to brand creation.

Step 1: Research Real-World Airlines.

No one likes an airline that doesn't fit the country it's supposed to be based in, whether that's because it's based solely off of stereotypes or if it's because it looks like it's from somewhere else (ie. the "ME3 look" in anywhere that isn't, well, the Middle East). Wikipedia lists like "List of Defunct Airlines of xxx" and "List of Airlines of xxx" are always a good start to get a grasp of how the aviation industry of the area has been shaped. Looking at past brands can give you a feel of what you want your airline to look like, prevent yourself from accidentally making a near-copy of a pre-existing airline, and ensure that your brand has the right "feel."

Step 2: Research Your Country.

If you're thinking about making a flag carrier, it's always best to make a brand that reflects something about the government of the country (seals, flags, national ensigns, etc.). If you're making a low-cost carrier, think about taking something associated with the country and twisting it to look "fresh" or "new." Remember what you've seen in Step 1 to make sure this airline doesn't end up being too cliché. This is also where you can think of potential names.

Step 3: Research the Period.

This is especially applicable if you're making a livery from the past, but even then still applicable for modern liveries. Searches for things like "Edinburgh Airport 2005" or "JFK Airport 2005" are nice for this, because you get to see a variety of brands on time-applicable aircraft and see how certain regions aim for certain styles on their liveries. 

Step 3: Sketch a Logo.

I know what you're thinking. N664US, I make brands on my computer. Why do I need paper for this? Paper is great, if only because you have an eraser for your mistakes and it's easy to change things so you know what you're looking for. Use the ideas you got from Steps 1+2 and make a draft logo. It doesn't have to look perfect, just neat enough that you like how it looks. Also, know that this is where creativity comes in. If you want a moose, for example, don't just make a photo-realistic moose with antlers and all. Try going for something stylised (just the head and antlers, for example) if that appeals to you. Call me crazy, but I like to apply the vexillology rules for a good flag to aid me in creating logos. It's nice to Google things like "bird logo" or something like that for inspiration, but should not be a source for stealing logos.

Step 4: Bring it to Life.

Here's where you pull out the computer. Try making your logo on a computer now. Be sure, however, to use only one colour (black or white). That way, you can see what it looks like in monochrome and make sure it will work in applications real-world airlines will use as well (boarding passes, signs, etc.). If it's too complex or uses too many colours, chances are it won't work in monochrome.

Step 5: Perfect Your Logo.

When you're pleased with what you've done, try adding a splash of colour. You can use websites like coolors.co to find nice colour palettes that work well with each other. Try using only a few colours for your airlines, and ones that complement each other. Most brands (Delta, American, British Airways, Air France, KLM, etc.) only use one or two colours when they create their full-colour logos.

Step 6: Look for Fonts.

This is a difficult step. Using font websites like dafont.com, try looking for fonts that "fit" your brand. Once you have a name at hand to accompany your logo, download a few test fonts to see if there's one you like. Make sure it can be read from a distance and fits the same "style" of your logo. I don't really know how to describe it, but there's a moment when things just "click" together and it looks good. Remember that you want to make sure that the font fits the time and colour choices you made earlier, and look to what you saw in Step 3 for time-applicable fonts. 

I'm not sure how applicable this would be for you, but this is all I have. It's gotten me far enough to get things like Danske and Algérien, and I'm sure it can help you too. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

The pinned tutorial is from 2011, and has lost relevance. Wsoliman's tutorial is woefully inadequate. Many denounce GIMP as being simple, and complex to use. I present to you my own, complete tutorial on GIMP and its inner workings. Note that this tutorial is based on the macOS operating system.

Step 1. Download

The official website for GIMP is www.gimp.org. From there, you may download and install it onto your computer. Note that GIMP works for Windows, macOS, and Linux (pick your poison). From there, add it to your list of applications and launch it. You should get a blank screen that looks somewhat like this:

Step 2. Add Templates

You guys all know where Med's templates are. As a refresher, they're here. Download them, and then keep them in a safe and organized place so you know where to access them later (and while you're at it, consider helping Med out with a donation or something?). Once you've done that, double-click on the template to add it into GIMP. The .psd should be recognized by GIMP and opened automatically. If it does not, right-click on it and then click "Open With" and then select "GIMP." As an example, I've picked the 737-800. It should look something like this:

Step 3. Layers

A key aspect of GIMP (and most painting programs) is the layering options. Think of them like an onion, in which one layer goes over another. Note that Med has arranged his templates so that the base layer is in white ("FUSELAGE," for example), and all details (ie. "FUSELAGE EFFECTS") go above it. When painting, make sure that your paint goes in a new layer between the base layer and the detail layers. That way, the paint looks accurate. Also know that some templates, like the 737, offer multiple variants. Clicking on the eyeball will make layers visible or invisible: you can make the regular wing invisible and the wingletted wing visible, for example, to change the variant. That looks something like this:

Step 4. Painting

Now is when you can really get to town. I'm going to use a real-life airline for an example, in this case, something simple like Delta. First and foremost, remove all unnecessary layers. In my case, I've removed the eyebrow windows and the metal overlay.

Now, you get to add a new layer. Directly below all the layers are the layer modification tools: the left-most one will add a new layer. Position it where you'd like, and then name it something memorable. Below, I've created a new layer for the fuselage, and called it "FUSELAGE_PAINT."

Here's the fun part. Select a colour with the two swatches of colour on the left-hand side: change the top one to the colour of your choice. In Delta's case, it would be their signature blue colour, which I've added.

But, how do you paint within the lines? The answer: select tools. The left-hand side is full of tools for this purpose. Most are self-explanatory: the rectangle select tool makes rectangles of the size you drag, the ellipse select tool does basically what the rectangle select tool does, but for ellipses, etcetera. Free select lets you either hand-draw what you want or make a custom polygon out of straight lines. My favourite tool, however, is the paths tool, which is arguably the most complicated. Basically, it works like the free select tool, except you can click-and-drag to add curves to your pathways. When you're done, click "selection from path." I've done this below with the Delta 73H's belly paint.

You may ask now: what about the overhang? This is solved with layer masking, which is straightforward when you figure out what it is. This is going to differ from SKY's tutorial, but the principle is roughly the same. Using the base layer ("FUSELAGE," in this case), go to Layer > Mask > Add Layer Mask > Layer's Alpha Channel. On the paint layer, use the rectangle select tool to crop the layer to be the same size as the fuselage's (Layer > Crop to Selection). From there, repeat what you just did with the base layer, adding a layer mask to the paint too. Both layers should now have a layer mask on them. All you have to do now is hit Cmd-C on the fuselage's layer mask, and Cmd-Z it to the paint's. From there, hit the anchor below the list of layers to adhere the new layer mask. Voilà, conforming paint. 

All you really need to do is keep doing this for all the other layers (tail, engines, etc.) until you get a plane that resembles your aircraft. You can also use other tools to add touches you want (ie. the text tool for registrations or aircraft titles), or use File > Open as Layers in order to add logos or whatnot to your livery. 

Step 5. Finishing Touches

In order to add realism, consider adding details to make your livery realistic. You can do this by blocking windows, changing door outline colours, etc. in order to get an aircraft that looks like it could work in the real world. I've finished the Delta 737-800 below, complete with registration. 

Step 6. Exporting

To export a GIMP image, just use Cmd-E and hit enter. It'll create an exported .png image directly next to the .xcf file in which you've saved the image. From there, all you need to do is upload it and add it here.

And voilà! You have successfully created a livery! Most stuff on GIMP is relatively straightforward, but if you need any help (gradients, colour exchange, etc.), feel free to ask me. I highly recommend trying to replicate a real-world livery, getting to know how to use GIMP successfully before you go on to try to make your own unique livery. 

New GIMP sucks, to be honest.
2.8 is way simpler to get around for me and it’s much easier on my eyes.

This is a nice one. Good job!

 

Tbh, GIMP is not my favourite. I've it in my computer but haven't opened it for years.

I don't know why. I think it's because I don't like the interface.

GIMP is no one's favourite. It's hideous, unusually complex, and unintuitive. The only thing it has going for it is that it's free and powerful: something that has kept me with GIMP as much as I dislike it. I'm changing over to Photoshop first chance I get.

IT KNOWS

I searched maple leaf.That is the real logo,made by tronto maple leafs (owner).

Perhaps what OtakuWeebster was saying was that you should try making your own logos. Pre-existing logos you download from a Google search is 1) stealing, but perhaps more importantly, 2) uncreative (and yes, I know that people do it anyway). If you look into the gallery, I just made Northeastern's maple leaf a few days ago in GIMP. If you want, I can help you make your own logo.

My main issue with a North American livery contest is that most people already have a North American airline in the gallery. Assuming that you can't post pre-made liveries, you'd have to create your own, which is difficult when most major cities are already the hubs for 2+ pre-existing carriers. You'd end up stepping on a lot of people's toes.

I'm... shocked? In awe? I'm not really sure how to describe it. 

First and foremost, I guess I'd thank the judges for the effort they put into putting this whole contest together. 

I'd also like to specifically congratulate @OtakuWeebster and @Leebro for submissions and victories, as well as all those who competed for their time and effort. Many designs in this contest were strong, and it was intriguing to see how all of you would create an original livery in a region where many pre-established carriers exist.

Thank you all once again!

In all honesty, it makes the most sense (for me at least) to start here, even if it's only a draft. Elios is a longtime member with an excellent grasp on how USGovSim works, and this serves as a sort of penultimate rulebook that doubles as a fun read. The House itself is wildly complicated in real life, so I rather appreciate that as many of the processes and rules have been carried over. 

bomp

has a connection to Florida, America's steaming dump and tropical wasteland

fails to understand hyperbole and sarcasm

Well, first and foremost, most alliances in the forum are dead. Many (with the exception of DWA, Venture, Unitedwings, and Aloft) have been inactive for quite some time, and have seen little if any meaningful content published on the forums within the past year or so. 

Joining one of these alliances mainly serves a purpose in the Gallery, in which cooperation with an alliance adds both prestige and realism to the brands published there (after all, if you're making fake airlines, you might as well make fake alliances to accompany them). Most also run their own private, member-only alliances in the Realistic worlds, so there's that advantage as well. One of the least-spoken benefits of joining a forum alliance, however, is the community aspect. As "elitist," "preoccupied," and "snobbish" as some perceive alliance members, a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and openness exists, whether that's for help and suggestions or just talking about what's on your mind to a group of like-minded people. 

As to how to create an alliance, I'm not exactly sure. The mods haven't exactly been all too active on this forum, and taking over a dead alliance is just about impossible. If you haven't noticed, joining an alliance isn't much easier. You (mostly) need to establish a presence on the gallery for realistic, appealing brands over time and to get to know a few members before your application is seriously considered. Regardless, it's a process that pays off in the long run.

Updated the Northern Air. I think this looks much better than my old design.

Better, but still not good. 

First of all, what's up with that logo? An upwards tick and the letter N? You could do better than that.

Secondly, what's up with the font? It's visible now, but the choice is still sub-par.

Thirdly, the colours (and gradient) you've used just clash with each other. It's a mess.

Fourthly, where'd the door outlines go? You kind of need those.

I'd go back to the (literal) drawing board, maybe check out BFS' Northern gallery beforehand. 

*spits out my tea* they do WHAT

dislike for confusing Connecticut (yes, there's a place known for boiled/steamed burgers) for Massachusetts (a wholesome place for your money to die)

I'm rather a fan of the whole "brand revival" thing. I like the choice to keep the classic Olympic look: the rings and the majestic dark blue color. 

My only suggestion would be to find a way to take over the blank space at the front and center of the fuselage. Maybe try a minimalist "rings-only" type-aspect and see how that looks? 

Aren't you the "Fruits Rouges" guy?

you should ask oggey

Hello, my in-game airline is Key West Airlines. If anybody is willing to give some feedback on this livery that is much appreciated.

As a livery, this kind of stands out to me. The color choice (salmon and blue, contrasting colors), font (something default), and logo (a generic beach scene) don't especially strike me as well-thought-out.

In terms of coloration, Key West should either follow the Floridian standard of bright tones (red, orange, and I guess salmon), or take advantage of its surrounding by water and go for cool colors (blue, teal, aqua, etc.). Mixing both together leads to clashing, although there are some rare circumstances (America West, for example) where it just happens to work. I'd recommend the website coolors.co as a place to find numerous complementary palettes, although I should note that not all the colors they suggest actually look nice on planes. 

For the font, the late 90's had what I'd call "the Last Serif Standing," as well as the "Sans-Serif 101" period. Many airlines either brought out the last and best of serif designs (United's Battleship Grey, TWA's final livery, Delta's "Wavy Gravy," etc.) or experimented with sans-serif fonts (Swissair's final scheme, Japan Airlines' "Arc of the Sun" livery, Sabena's final scheme, etc.) around now. For Key West, the American trend of a serif font would be nice to see here, but in a darker and more noticeable color than salmon (try looking at Oggey's "Independence" for reference). 

The logo may be what I have the most qualms about. It's generic, uninspired, and the fact it needs to be cut into an ovular shape proves its misplacement on an aircraft. Key West may be known as a vacation destination, but beaches don't tend to do well as logos. I'd recommend making a simple palm tree logo instead, or making a wordmark logo with "KW" somewhere in an Air Florida-esque livery.

The livery you presently provide isn't great, but it's a good start towards making a refined, time-applicable livery. I'm excited to see what you come up with.