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Razón 5: Ayude a los estudiantes a superar los desafíos siendo una presencia positiva

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Razón 5: Ayude a los estudiantes a superar los desafíos siendo una presencia positiva

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Razón 3: Aporta alegría y energía a los eventos escolares

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Razón 3: Aporta alegría y energía a los eventos escolares

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Razón 4: Representa la identidad de Samara

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Razón 4: Representa la identidad de Samara

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Razón 2: Fomentar la creatividad a través del proceso de elaboración y diseño de una mascota.

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Razón 2: Fomentar la creatividad a través del proceso de elaboración y diseño de una mascota.

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Razón 1: Persuadir a un estudiante de noticias para que se matricule en Samara

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Razón 1: Persuadir a un estudiante de noticias para que se matricule en Samara

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Boosting School Spirit and Identity: The Crucial Role of Mascot Logos in School Branding | School Branding Agency

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Discover the transformative power of a well-designed school mascot logo. Explore how it elevates school spirit, strengthens identity, and fosters a sense of belonging, making it a vital element of effective school branding.

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When creating a custom mascot, it is important to consider different factors that affect the look, form, feel, and function of your mascot. We've outlined the 12 most important things to consider in your mascot purchase.

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5 Reasons Why You Need a High School Mascot - Olympus Mascots

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When creating a custom mascot, it is important to consider different factors that affect the look, form, feel, and function of your mascot. We've outlined the 12 most important things to consider in your mascot purchase.

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When creating a custom mascot, it is important to consider different factors that affect the look, form, feel, and function of your mascot. We've outlined the 12 most important things to consider in your mascot purchase.

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5 Reasons Why You Need a High School Mascot - Olympus Mascots

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When creating a custom mascot, it is important to consider different factors that affect the look, form, feel, and function of your mascot. We've outlined the 12 most important things to consider in your mascot purchase.

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The mascot encourages everyone to get involved in school spirit and promoting the institution.

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omahashirts.com

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Does your school have a mascot(s)? There's a good chance your school sports teams have one, but why? Team mascots are a form of branding stretching back to the late 1800s and are still popular in commerce and society. Mascots are about sociability and recognition, making them the ideal ambassador for high schools and colleges across the United States.

Why are School Mascots Important?

Mascots give a personalized feeling to an institution, providing relatable figures students can use to familiarize themselves with the rest of the student population and the institution's values. Students relate and identify with the mascot, making them feel like they belong to the student body and school.

Mascots are everywhere, every school has them, and every sports program relies on them to rally the students to support their team and school. Next time you are at a school sporting event, look around. There is a good chance you will find a mascot!

What are the Advantages of Having a School Mascot?

There are several advantages to having a school mascot. Whether it's a high school or a college, the same rules and benefits apply to mascots.

The college and high school mascots are an identifiable symbol of the school. Students on campus and people in the local community all recognize and identify with it.

School mascots promote and increase awareness of services and programs with the student body and community.

A school mascot will engage the school staff, students, and alumni.

The mascot encourages everyone to get involved with school spirit and promoting the institution.

A school mascot personifies the school's brand and values.

Mascots provide limitless PR and marketing opportunities.

What You Need to Know When Creating a Mascot

So, how do you develop a mascot for your school? Here are some top considerations when designing your mascot, theme, and identity.

Get the student body involved in its design and creation.

Let the students vote on the design and host a contest to build the community around your mascot development.

Think of what you want the mascot to achieve regarding your school's values and identity.

Consider the school's history and that of the surrounding town or city.

Take the elements of the community and apply them to the mascot. For instance, is your town built around a specific industry? Incorporate that into your design.

Avoid offensive characterizations; they'll drive people away and polarize the community.

Incorporate your school colors and make them easily identifiable to the students.

School Mascots Involve the Student Body and Community

Your mascot should identify with your school colors, themes, and values and personify its image. With the right mascot, the students will rally around it as a symbol of school pride.

Other opportunities to foster school spirit and a sense of community using your mascot persona include the following.

Creating social media content.

Appearances at parades and municipal events.

Create school clothing, supplies, and gear featuring the mascot's likeness.

Check out what other schools in the area do with their mascot designs. Look at professional sports teams and get inspiration for design ideas, colors, themes, and other concepts. Your mascot should be unique and personal to your institution. Innovate, don't imitate, and you'll discover a mascot design that works.

Additional Information: Nebraska High School Colors and Mascots - NSAA

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Why are School Mascots Important? - Omaha Shirts

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Mascots are everywhere, every school has them, and sports teams rely on them to rally the students to support their team and school.

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Mascots embody the values of a group of people, bring them together by giving them a common symbol to cheer on, and never fail to bring a spark of happiness and pride to the communities they represent.

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Helping Hand - Helping Hand | Transforming Lives

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You've probably seen how much genuine joy a mascot can bring. You may have memories of cheering for your mascot in team huddles while playing sports as a child. Even now, you may see mascots representing your favorite school or team on t-shirts and on the playing field. Mascots embody the values of a group of people, bring them together by giving them a common symbol to cheer on, and never fail to bring a spark of happiness and pride to the communities they represent. Thus, we're so happy to introduce you to Helping Hand's mascot: HERO THE HOUND!

Over the past year, a dedicated group of HH team members worked to create the best mascot possible. "Designing a mascot is a lot more [effort] than it seems," says Megan Kinnerk, a Speech Language Pathologist with Helping Hand's clinic who was part of the mascot committee. "We looked at different animals or symbols that we feel represent our agency, then we went into a design process. During this process we [looked] at small details to make sure this design truly encompasses our entire agency, our mission, and our vision."

Hero the Hound was chosen as the mascot that best embodies Helping Hand. A hero possesses great and admirable talents and helps their community be all it can be, while a hound dog stands for courage, positivity, and guidance. Hero the Hound represents our students and clients, as well as their families and everyone connected to Helping Hand. They all have great skills, the courage to think outside the box, and the ability to optimistically guide each other towards achieving their fullest potential. Every great hero has a mission, and Hero the Hound's mission is to ensure that all are equally valued. And, of course, Hero the Hound shares something else important with Helping Hand; they both have the initials HH!

Hero's logo is also symbolic. The background of his shield looks like a horizon with a sun, representing our bright future, one in which everyone is treated with equal worth. Hero himself confidently looks ahead at this bright future. Hero's shadow is dark orange to represent the history and tradition that surround us and guide us, while his collar is light orange to represent how we are an accumulation of our past while also being fresh and new. Finally, Hero's fur is gray and white instead of just one color, representing how our students and clients are so much more than their disabilities.

Mascots are a great way to create a sense of connection, so we celebrated Hero's debut with events that brought people together. The students at the school enjoyed Hero-themed events that were both therapeutic and fun. They used a sensory rice bin filled with Hero stickers, and they played "pin the collar on Hero." The students also watched hound-themed movies, and, as movies can be overstimulating and too long for our students to sit through, they periodically took hound and hero-themed movement breaks. At the adult day program, Hero's launch was announced during our yearly talent show. Here, our clients built independence and expressed their individuality by getting together to show off their singing, dancing, piano-playing, and hula-hooping skills, both solo and with their friends. Finally, you may have seen Hero at the La Grange Pet Parade earlier this month, where students, clients, and others connected with Helping Hand walked alongside a Hero-themed float that was awarded 6 th place!

Hero's presence will continue to build community at Helping Hand by allowing all connected with the organization to rally under one symbol.

"By having an agency mascot, we can connect our adults, our school, our clients, and Special Olympics team under one being who exemplifies our mission and vision," says Megan. Hero's presence will be transformative; he'll remind everyone that, as Megan says, "We are not just Helping Hand - we are the Hounds and we are smart, brave, and kind."

On Helping Hand, GO HOUNDS!
Author: Madison Stasch

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You’ve probably seen how much genuine joy a mascot can bring. You may have memories of cheering for your mascot in team huddles while playing sports as a child. Even now, you may see mascots representing your favorite school or team on t-shirts and on the playing field. Mascots embody the values of a group

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School Mascots | High School Mascots | University & College Mascots

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A custom mascot is a large investment for a school, but there are numerous benefits. Read on to learn the benefits of a high school mascot.

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5 Reasons Why You Need a High School Mascot - Olympus Mascots

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Choosing a Class Mascot to Build Classroom Community | BetterLesson Coaching

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Choosing a Class Mascot to Build Classroom Community | BetterLesson Coaching

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Why your school needs a mascot - ODDBODS

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Learn why having an official mascot can be beneficial for schools and how it can contribute to school spirit, student engagement, and an increased sense of pride.

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Evolution of School Mascots: A Historical Perspective | School Branding Agency

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Mash B. is the Founder & CEO of School Branding Agency. Since 1998, Mash has helped conscious brands differentiate themselves and AWAKEN through Brand Strategy and Brand Identity Design. Schedule a Brand Strategy Video Call with Mash.

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Boosting School Spirit and Identity: The Crucial Role of Mascot Logos in School Branding | School Branding Agency

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Discover the transformative power of a well-designed school mascot logo. Explore how it elevates school spirit, strengthens identity, and fosters a sense of belonging, making it a vital element of effective school branding.

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Mascots in Education: Boosting School Spirit and Engagement - Mascots

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In educational settings, mascots play a pivotal role in fostering school spirit and enhancing student engagement. This blog, inspired by […]

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Mascots are the heart and soul of school spirit, energizing crowds, uniting students, and creating a sense of pride that lasts long after the final whistle. A great mascot can transform a game day or school event into a memorable experience, inspiring generations of students and fans. At , we understand the significance of mascots and specialize in crafting handmade creations that embody school pride and deliver exceptional performance for years.

Here's why mascots are essential to school spirit and how investing in a high-quality, durable mascot can make a lasting impact on your school community.

3. Boosting Team Spirit and Performance
Mascots play a vital role in rallying support for teams. Their spirited antics and crowd-pleasing performances motivate players and fans alike, creating an electric atmosphere that boosts morale and encourages participation. A durable mascot costume ensures that your performer can focus on entertaining the crowd without worrying about wear and tear, even during the most high-energy events.

4. Encouraging School Pride and Engagement
A mascot becomes a visual representation of your school's values, history, and achievements. When students see their mascot on merchandise, at events, or in promotional materials, it reinforces their connection to the school and encourages them to participate in activities that build pride and engagement.

8. Mascots as a Fundraising Tool
Mascots aren't just about spirit-they're also a great way to raise funds for your school. Use your mascot's image on merchandise like t-shirts, hats, and keychains to boost sales. Host events where fans can take photos with the mascot or participate in activities, with proceeds supporting school programs.

Ready to take your school spirit to the next level? Visit today to explore our custom mascots and accessories. Let us help you create a mascot that becomes the heart of your school's identity, inspiring pride and excitement for generations to come.

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The Impact of Mascots on School Spirit: Why Quality Matters

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Mascots are the heart and soul of school spirit, energizing crowds, uniting students, and creating a sense of pride that lasts long after the final whistle. A great mascot can transform a game day or school event into a memorable experience, inspiring generations of students and fans.

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A mascot logo is a powerful tool in reinforcing and promoting a school’s identity. It encapsulates the essence of the school, creating a strong, instantly recognizable brand. It’s a symbol that fosters a sense of unity, pride, and belonging, enhancing the overall school experience.

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Got spirit?! Let's hear it!"

The traditional rallying cry of high school sports is a great way to garner school spirit. But is it enough? One group of kids in Ambler, PA, wanted more.

When Gillian Horn was a junior at Wissahickon High School, she and some friends began to consider that other teams and school groups besides the boys' football and basketball teams deserved to have support. Rather than simply trying to boost student interest in sports teams with a pep rally, posters, or announcements encouraging students to come out for Friday's game, Horn and her friends formed a group called Following Activities 'n' Sports (FANS)-students who would attend team events and support other groups at the school of about 1,400 students in suburban Philadelphia.

"What about my school's world-ranked robotics team? How many students turned out for their events?" she asked in an article about the group, which was published about the time FANS helped get the school a special national award for sportsmanship. The group began with about eight members, but soon had 400, and representatives (often in sizable numbers) were attending all sorts of school events to support participants. Horn and other FANS founders essentially redefined school spirit.

"School spirit is about a lot more than just spirit wear and school songs," according to the National Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). "When students feel a sense of school spirit, they may become more engaged. And if parents feel proud about what's going on in the school community, they'll be more likely to get involved, too."

School spirit, no matter how it is defined, is valuable because it creates pride in a school, which in turn has benefits toward another key goal-school culture, says Daniel Steele, principal at Thompson Sixth Grade Center in Alabaster, AL, and an Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year. "It's important because effort is often a function of pride," he says. "A healthy school culture promotes school spirit and school pride, and vice versa."

The Benefits of School Spirit

A Harris Polls survey of 1,300 students and several hundred parents and principals showed school pride had multiple benefits.

The survey ranked students with four indicators: their self-assessment of their level of school spirit, self-reported pride in their school, propensity to get other students to be active in school events, and their plans to return to their school for special events after graduation. It found that:

75 percent of students with "the most school spirit" performed better than average (only seven percent of these students performed below average).

Nearly 90 percent of those in that category felt very connected to their school and to their classmates.

Students with "the most school spirit," identified as having the most school pride, were much more involved in all activities at their school, and had parents who were much more likely to be active in the school and aware of their student's work in class.

Students with school pride, according to parents and principals, most often were happy and satisfied and had a higher self-esteem. They also more often reported having a group of good friends.

Does school spirit create these outcomes? Or do successful, happy, active students tend to have pride in their school? Principals say pride has wide-ranging benefits. Four out of 5 principals surveyed said that school pride is an important measure of their administration, according to the Harris Polls survey, and more than 90 percent said they believe it is tied to student achievement.

Defining Spirit

Most principals know their students define "school spirit" as supporting major sports teams.

A dictionary says a school's "spirit" is its "activating or essential influencing principle." And principals believe it as well-98 percent in the Harris Polls survey think school spirit is an important part of the school's culture and should be something all students feel (something broadly involving the entire student body in activities that make them proud of their school and connected to it). Adults know the feeling from their own experience as part of the workplace, a church, a social group, or a neighborhood where they have felt connected-and want students to experience it too, experts say.

Annette Wallace, principal at Pocomoke High School in rural southeastern Maryland, believes that widespread school pride grows from a healthy school culture-and supports it.

"A strong culture promotes ideals that intrinsically make an individual proud to be part of an organization," she says. "In this case, it's a school where people feel part of a cause greater than themselves, where students and staff look out for one another and take care of each other from an instructional standpoint and from a personal standpoint."

Wallace says that the key is creating activities or events that involve all parts of the student body. "When people feel a part of something larger than themselves, I believe they develop a strong sense of pride," she says.

That sort of pride, experts say, leads to better behavior, better care for school facilities, and often better performance in school. If it is ignored and students have no connection or feel antipathy for their school, the opposite often occurs.

"We, of course, need to have a positive and warm school culture that students are proud to be a part of, regardless of race, religion, socio- economic status, and other characteristics. School pride and school spirit are part of that," says Amber Rudolph, an assistant principal at Cheney Middle School in West Fargo, ND, who has been active in developing culture at her school.

Derek Pierce, principal of Casco Bay High School in Portland, ME, also believes that school spirit is broader than just support for sports teams. His school uses a variety of activities-from "clap outs" for class-wide projects to weekly school meetings and recognitions for a wide range of accomplishments.

One of his favorite events involves a schoolwide assembly where students who have been accepted to college climb a ladder and hang a pennant representing that school, cheered on by the students and staff. "School spirit is something we aspire to, but it's more than the big game or the big performance," Pierce says. "It's about students feeling connected to the school and celebrating that connection and each other."

Five Pride Enhancers

Consider these five things when looking to boost school spirit and school pride:

1. Believe it yourself-show it. Whether it is wearing the school colors (or dying your hair) and attending a football game, or showing up for an intramural pingpong match, you can show your pride in your students by being involved. "When the principal sneezes, the whole school catches a cold," says Steele, quoting a motivational speaker's advice. "The kids notice what I care about, and it means a lot to them." He says a principal can increase school pride by broadening his or her personal connections to the student body by engaging with groups and segments that might not typically feel connected. Attend a poetry reading or stop to watch a skateboarder's impromptu performance.

Rudolph says that while principals have an extremely busy schedule, they must "be present" when they connect with students, and make genuine communications with them a priority, whether it's meeting them at the door each day, visiting classrooms, attending events, or chatting with them informally.

"Relationships are foundational," she says, noting that they not only create that much-sought-after connection, but also create an atmosphere that people can build on and feel valued in. "These relationships become built upon trust and respect, and they create a connection to the school. It is important to be intentional about them."

2. Create traditions. "It was an 'aha' moment for me when I realized how important rituals are," says Pierce, noting that they can range from a whole school activity with parents and community to simple routines with one small group-a monthly visit to a small after-school group, a weekly visit to a special education or ESL class for a snack, or a daily walk through the cafeteria with a small contest and prize or joke. "Traditions create a connection," Pierce says.

There are hundreds of lists of ideas for new rituals, but the challenge, experts say, is to get them in place and create energy around them, which might require tapping into several segments of the school for their ideas and a commitment to participate.

3. Get outside involvement. Some schools have alumni activities or create a hall of fame for academics, sports, and other activities based off the students who receive awards they traditionally hand out at the end of the school year. They invite alumni back, which can create pride by showing how those graduates value the school.

Doing events in the community also builds student and community pride in the school. Efforts can range from volunteering to help at shelters, nursing homes, or soup kitchens to cleaning up parks or helping with a local farmers market.

The Harris survey showed that involving parents increased a student's connection, as did a student's involvement in community events when they were organized through their school.

4. Get input. Wallace says principals need to listen to their staff and students with suggestions and take some "calculated risks" in order to build pride. Those contributing will feel like a part of the institution if their ideas are taken seriously and acted upon. Even if an idea is untenable, explaining the problem or coming up with a related and workable option benefits school culture, she says. Some of her students and an assistant principal suggested a "power hour" period midday for study and fitness and attention to emotional health.

"Offering students choice in the middle of the day for 60 minutes flew in the face of my beloved routine and procedures. But, I had to be willing to trust my staff and my students-and to step out and take a chance," Wallace says. "We started 'Your 60' three months ago and, while there have been bumps in the road, we are already seeing many benefits."

Willingness to listen to an idea and try a proposal, Wallace says, improved school culture through the activity itself. Plus, students knew that other voices mattered.

Chilliwack Middle School in British Columbia responded to student, parent, and staff concerns about traditional awards ceremonies. In place of that, the school developed an annual showcase, where students could show off any of their skills.

Rudolph believes it is important to regularly bring different students to the principal's office and ask them for ideas for the school-then let them know how their input was used. Some schools ask different classes to come up with an idea for a new tradition, and then they have the whole school vote on it. Other schools look to start traditions that connect the school to its history or the community.

At Quest College Preparatory School in Edinburg, TX, the school holds a daily meeting to celebrate achievements, discuss plans, and remind students about expectations for behavior and character. The meeting time is also used to plan events that everyone knows were generated by students.

5. Make it fun. Experts say students won't engage with an activity and bind it to school culture unless they think it is "cool" or fun, so no matter what the idea, it should be assessed through their eyes, perhaps even with a survey in the planning stages.

Wallace's students thoroughly enjoyed and bonded through a social media blitz to get Michelle Obama to visit the school as part of its "Project 100" campaign promoting 100 percent of its students going to college. The former first lady has been an advocate for college attendance and responsible use of social media.

"It's important for it to be valuable," Pierce says, "but it's just as important to have it be something that engages kids. That takes thought, but we are often surprised at how willing they are to be involved in something that really makes them part of the school."
Jim Paterson is a writer based in Lewes, DE.

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Got spirit?! Let's hear it!' The traditional rallying cry of high school sports is a great way to garner school spirit. But is it enough? One group of kids in Ambler, PA, wanted more.

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How to Create and Design a Brand Mascot; Tips for Success [Proven and Tested]

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everyone thinking how to design a brand mascot? here we talk all about how to create company mascots with examples

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The design process for creating a new mascot is a multi-faceted task that involves several key steps. The first step is to define the purpose and goals of the mascot. This may include identifying the target audience, determining the desired emotional response, and outlining the specific message or brand association that the mascot will communicate.

Once the purpose and goals of the mascot have been established, the next step is to conduct research on existing mascots and their impact. This research will help to inform the design process and identify any potential issues or challenges that may need to be addressed. This research can be conducted through online research, focus groups, and surveys to gather information about the target audience, its preferences, and the current market trends.

After the research is done, the design team can begin brainstorming ideas for the mascot. This may include sketching rough concepts, creating mood boards, and experimenting with different styles and forms. It is important to consider the mascot's movement, facial expressions, and overall personality during this stage. Additionally, it may be helpful to gather input from the target audience to ensure that the mascot resonates with them.

Once the design team has a solid concept for the mascot, it's time to develop the final design. This may involve creating detailed illustrations, 3D renderings, or even building a physical prototype. The design should be refined until it meets the goals and purpose defined in the first step, and it is important to consider factors such as scalability, ease of animation, and maneuverability.

Finally, the mascot is ready to be launched and introduced to the public. This may include creating a launch event, creating a social media presence, and developing marketing materials. It's important to continue to monitor the mascot's impact and gather feedback from the target audience to ensure that it is resonating with them and achieving the desired goals.

In conclusion, the design process for creating a new mascot is a multi-faceted task that involves several key steps, including defining the purpose and goals, conducting research, brainstorming ideas, developing the final design, testing, and launching. By following this process, the design team can ensure that the mascot effectively communicates the desired message or brand association, resonates with the target audience and achieves the desired goals. This process may require time, money and expertise but the end result is a unique character that will be cherished by the audiences for years to come.

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The design process for creating a new mascot - Mascots

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The design process for creating a new mascot is a multi-faceted task that involves several key steps. The first step is to define the purpose and goals of the mascot. This may include identifying the target audience, determining the desired emotional response, and outlining the specific message or brand association that the mascot will communicate.

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For all the hype around innovation and creativity - one recent survey of 1,500 CEOs pegged creativity as the top skill for business leaders - these muscles remain some of the most underdeveloped in organizations. Even with the best innovation strategy in place, companies can't develop new ideas and products until their teams become more creative. And the reason teams aren't creative is because leaders have failed to understand how creativity really works.

In our work with companies and as design professors, we've found that most leaders who are frustrated with a lack of employee creativity have day-to-day systems and processes in place that don't reflect their innovation goals. They've stifled nascent creativity with busy work and bureaucracy - think boring, in-office whiteboarding sessions, remote workdays packed with meetings, or advanced software that monitors worker "productivity." In fact, one study found that "the single largest behavioral shift among employees (during the pandemic) was a statistically significant decline in curiosity."

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Our time in meetings has tripled since before the pandemic. Managers use time tracking software to ensure that workers are doing something - anything - that seems useful.

These expectations about what work looks like are dampening creativity for everyone. Today's organizations need to move away from defining work in terms of efficiency and productivity; creativity is rarely efficient. When it comes to innovation, effectiveness is what counts. If imagination and inspiration are fueled by rich, unexpected inputs to our thinking - experiences and insights that connect the dots in new ways - then the challenge is deliberately seeking new inputs and allowing ourselves the time and space to synthesize them into fresh connections. Creativity that leads to breakthrough innovations often doesn't look like work, let alone efficient work.

We have helped dozens of organizations move from innovation efficiency to effectiveness. This includes helping financial services companies develop profitable ideas to reach young savers by studying environments like Urban Outfitters, working with premier golf brands to get more young people interested in golf by immersing themselves in tween boutiques, and partnering with Japanese conglomerates to reinvent workplace communication by spending the day with a doula, where they learned that "scripts" enable successful navigation of stressful situations.

The common thread behind these unique experiences? Leaving the office (or home workspace) to mine the world for unexpected insights. We have dubbed this disciplined pursuit of unexpected information seeking inspiration. Designers and "creatives" have sought fresh inputs to drive their creative outputs for generations, but for whatever reason, in the corporate context, "inspiration" has largely referred to cheesy posters in the halls that say things like "teamwork" and "courage." Inspiration, from a cognitive and operational perspective, is actually about obsessing over the inputs to one's thinking.

You might be thinking, Wow, this would require a real culture shift in my organization! Where does an individual leader begin to affect change in this area? As Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors notes: "They say [culture] can't be changed, or it takes 10 years. To me, it's behaviors. And that can be changed right away." Culture change starts with giving folks permission to deviate from the conventional behavioral norms, and to try on new behaviors that result in new results. Ultimately, beginning to change the little things can eventually change the big things.

What are some of the foundational changes we'd recommend leaders champion amongst their teams, to affect the broader cultural transformation the above seems to require? Here are five to try.

Generate lots of ideas - not just the good ones.

Legendary Stanford Professor Robert McKim is responsible for coaxing countless innovations and innovators into the world. Anytime a student asked for feedback on a new concept, he would give the same response: "Show me three." He knew that options are often the key to breaking through.

Astro Teller, CEO of X, Google's "moonshot factory," agrees. "I ask teams for five ideas so consistently that teams actually try to game the system," he told us." They bring me four 'dummy' ideas alongside their pet favorite, but what they don't realize is this: Often, one of the dummy ideas is every bit as good as their favorite. Forcing folks to generate options always improves outcomes." Indeed, as leadership strategy coach David Noble and Harvard Medical School assistant professor Carol Kauffman recently noted, "great leaders generate options so that when an opportunity arises or a crisis hits, they can pivot in real time and make the optimal move."

Our students and clients also find immense value in doing an idea quota: a deliberate practice of generating lots of options to solve a problem, instead of hemming and hawing over the "right" answer. One Singaporean executive told us, "The first four or five ideas are hard to come by, but then I remember 'I don't have to follow the rules.'" She said the floodgates always open "when I tell myself to try to think of something illegal." She's quick to note, "I don't actually do the illegal thing. But the point is, there's something about removing the barriers I usually carry around that really opens up the possibilities.

One of the most elegant questions a leader can ask a team looking to solve a wicked problem facing the business is, "What else are we trying?" It acknowledges the need for options, while giving permission to move forward in a lightweight manner.

Create a space for failure.

Everybody dreads the f-word: failure. And, sure, there are certainly places where failure is unacceptable. But just because failure is unacceptable somewhere doesn't mean it's unacceptable everywhere. In fact, we challenge leaders to designate zones where failure is not only tolerated, but encouraged.

Our friend and longtime collaborator Philippe Barreaud, leader of Michelin's Customer Innovation Laboratory, goes so far as to set a minimum failure threshold for his innovation unit: "If you consider prior probabilities, the odds of breaking through are exceedingly low, which means you're going to fail a lot. And so we set a failure target for our team: We know that if we aren't failing at least beyond a certain base rate, we aren't exploring nearly broadly enough. If we don't fail, then we've really failed!"

Certainly, there are places where we need to play it safe. But sometimes, not taking risks is the riskiest move of all.

Stop playing "schedule tetris."

Most teams are effectively playing what we call "schedule Tetris," cramming every possibly incoming meeting invite into every single opening, as if finding space for every meeting were the point of the game. And yet, when pushed to innovate, one of the most oft-repeated complaints is, "I don't have any time."

The most visionary leaders block time for unscheduled time. Jeff Bezos famously kept two days unscheduled to explore the internet and seek fresh opportunities. (And not just when they were a scrappy startup - he did it when Amazon's market cap was 17 times that of Barnes & Noble, widely considered their primary "competition" at the time).

Unless your industry is entirely unique, your teams are going to face problems next week, next month, and next year. To solve those problems, they'll need space to generate a volume of solutions and to commission experiments that create valuable data about the best path forward. Have them block that time now, before the Tetris blocks start fighting for their calendar space.

If you aren't blocking time ahead of time, don't be surprised if your teams "don't have time to innovate" at the very moment a crisis strikes. Small changes can drive enormous impacts. One Irish IT executive bemoaned the fact that she had no time to try a new innovation technique we had taught her. "It's Wednesday morning, and I'm on meeting number 32 this week." Instead, we suggested that she write her future self a love note. "Just look at your calendar for the next glimpse of daylight. Could be two weeks out," we recommended. "Create a new event titled, 'Exploration Time.'"

When we checked in a month later, she was a different person. "I've always felt the calendar is what kept me from doing something new. I never realized I could wield it to protect space to work differently." It was liberating for her to realize it was up to her to create space for the activities that really moved the needle. For innovation to thrive on your teams, block time for the core activities you know will be needed long before you know the particulars of the problems you'll need fresh thinking to solve.

Appreciate problem-finding.

The old leadership adage, "don't bring me problems, bring me solutions" has never been uttered by a truly innovative leader. While everyone acknowledges the importance of problem-solving, the subtle art of problem-finding is poorly cultivated. Innovation leaders know that problems are the necessary precondition to novel solutions, and they cultivate an awareness of problems across their teams.

Robert McKim had students keep a "bug list" long before computer programming entered common parlance. He told them to write down things that bother them, or "bug" them, knowing that attention to problems seeds the soil for innovation for grow. Apple made the iPhone because Steve Jobs and many other leaders considered cell phones " pieces of junk." Tony Fadell was inspired to build the Nest Thermostat after enduring far too many first nights at his Tahoe ski cabin too cold because he couldn't change the thermostat until he arrived on the property.

Many organizations have "suggestion boxes," or "idea competitions." We recommend placing a "problem box" prominently beside those.

Delay your decisions.

One counterintuitive, but highly effective strategy is to delay decisions about which new solutions to move forward. Our efficiency obsession is most pronounced during the idea selection phase because we seek for what psychologists call cognitive closure: It's distressing to leave things unresolved! Yet one of the best things a team can do is decide to not decide... yet.

After sharing ideas, schedule another time to make decisions. Leaving the issue "unresolved" triggers what's known as the Zeigarnik effect, named after Russian psychologist Bluma Ziegarnik. People's working memory will continue to consider the problem, often resulting in better solutions emerging.

. . .

The tactics we've described above are designed to help your team summon the energy required to create something new. If your day-to-day work doesn't support creativity, your larger ambitions will continue to stall out.

Ultimately, it comes down to redefining what you think "work" is and giving your colleagues and employees permission to do the same. If work is all about efficiency-oriented measures, like response time to Slack messages and number of meetings attended, you'll continue to squander the immense potential for creativity our people possess. But if you start thinking in terms of effectiveness - combing the world for rich inputs that drive fresh thinking or pushing your team to generate a volume of solutions to a problem before zeroing in on the right answer - then innovation will start to tilt in your favor.

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Creativity is vital for innovation, but many organizational leaders don't know how to tap it among their employees. Instead, they shower them with meetings and whiteboard sessions that go nowhere. Instead, the authors recommend finding new ways to give your employees the time and space they need to generate new ideas.

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Mascots in Education: Boosting School Spirit and Engagement

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In educational settings, mascots play a pivotal role in fostering school spirit and enhancing student engagement. This blog, inspired by Street Characters Inc.

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Whether you are a musician, designer, writer, dancer, filmmaker or any other kind of fine arts and production lover, you probably know the importance of creativity. Creativity is part of what makes the work of artists special.

Unique ideas are highly regarded in the artistic community. However, creativity does not always come easily. Mental blocks can make it feel impossible to come up with original ideas or start a new project. Fortunately, there are ways to become mentally unstuck and get back to doing what you love.
Table of Contents:
7 Tips for Creativity

Develop your creativity with these seven tips:

1. Practice

It may sound obvious, but practice is essential for creativity. No screenwriter is born with hundreds of script ideas in their head, and no starting designer instantly has countless design concepts. It takes time and practice to develop these skills. The more you practice being creative, the more you are preparing yourself for success in future creative endeavors.

2. Discover Quality in Quantity

Creativity is not about perfection. This means you do not have to worry about making every single idea amazing. Rather, consider coming up with many ideas, even if they do not necessarily seem perfect or even good at first. These ideas can be steppingstones to other ideas that may come along.

You may need to brainstorm an abundance of ideas before settling on the "right" idea that leads to further inspiration. Often, it takes a high quantity of ideas before coming to the quality ideas that warrant further development.

3. Look to the Ordinary

Look to ordinary, everyday things for inspiration. This can train your brain to think creatively. For example, if you see an interesting design or texture in the flooring at the grocery store, take note so you can expand on your ideas and the concept later. If you want to choreograph a dance and you see the wind blowing through the trees, take note of the movements of the leaves and branches.

Be willing to look for inspiration when you are not expecting it. If you see something that sparks an imaginative idea, make sure you remember it for the future. Take notes on your phone, or snap a photograph for your later reference.

4. Collaborate With Others

Collaboration has powerful implications when it comes to creativity. There are various ways to collaborate with creatives and artists that can give you great ideas. Brainstorming with others and joining together to come up with creative solutions can break down your mental blocks.

5. Experiment With Different Styles

One way to step outside of your comfort zone in your field is to experiment with different styles. For example, if you are a musician who primarily plays classical music, experimenting in jazz or pop might help you gain creativity as a musician, even in your own genre. If you are an artist who usually draws digitally, perhaps you can try using watercolor or colored pencils to expand your skills and your ideas.

6. Have Confidence

Having confidence in your work can help you develop creativity. If you are too afraid to try new things or experiment in your art, it is difficult to be creative.

According to a Harvard Business Review article by Tom Kelley and David Kelley, there are four main fears that keep people from allowing themselves to be creative. These include fear of the messy unknown, fear of being judged, fear of the first step, and fear of losing control.* Each of these fears can hinder creativity, but with confidence can be overcome.

It is important to realize that what you create does not have to be perfect or better than anyone else's work. Having confidence in your own work and learning not to compare yourself to others can boost your creativity. If you avoid putting yourself into a box of perfection, you'll feel free to try new things and have creative ideas.

7. Give Your Brain a Refresh

Sometimes the best way to form new ideas is to take a step back from your project. Robert Epstein, PhD, a psychologist and Harvard grad, says stress and time constraints can kill your creative process.** Sometimes it is best to take a break. This can help reduce your stress around the project and get your creative juices flowing again.

Here are a few ways to give yourself a brain break:

Go on a walk: Going on a walk can get you out into a new environment. Not only can this help you relax, but you may also find new inspiration while out and about.

Eat a snack: Taking a snack break can give you motivation and brain power to continue with your creative work.

Read a book: Sometimes allowing your brain to not think or to think about something else is a good method for regenerating your creativity. Reading a favorite book or magazine might bring you motivation.

Talk to a loved one: Interacting with other people can also give you a brain break from your project. Plus, your conversation may spark an idea.

Take a quick nap: Energy can be extremely helpful in creative processes. If you are feeling tired, taking a quick nap might be just the boost you need.

Creative Degrees

There are many creative degrees that help students learn how to be more creative. Each one is unique to a specific art. Some performing and digital art degree programs include:

Each of these bachelor's degree programs teaches the technical skills that help students lead successful careers in artistic fields. Students also get inspiration by networking and collaborating with peers and professors.

Interested in developing your creativity with a performing arts and digital arts degree program such as the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design or the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Production? Click on the Request Info button at the top of your screen to learn more. Check out other blogs on the GCU blog page.

Retrieved from:

*Harvard Business Review, Reclaim Your Creative Confidence in June 2021

**American Psychological Association, The Science of Creativity in June 2021

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Do you ever wonder how to be more creative? Read more tips for developing creativity in this blog and learn about creative degrees offered at GCU.

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Whether you are a musician, designer, writer, dancer, filmmaker or any other kind of fine arts and production lover, you probably know the importance of creativity. Creativity is part of what makes the work of artists special.

Unique ideas are highly regarded in the artistic community. However, creativity does not always come easily. Mental blocks can make it feel impossible to come up with original ideas or start a new project. Fortunately, there are ways to become mentally unstuck and get back to doing what you love.
Table of Contents:
7 Tips for Creativity

Develop your creativity with these seven tips:

1. Practice

It may sound obvious, but practice is essential for creativity. No screenwriter is born with hundreds of script ideas in their head, and no starting designer instantly has countless design concepts. It takes time and practice to develop these skills. The more you practice being creative, the more you are preparing yourself for success in future creative endeavors.

2. Discover Quality in Quantity

Creativity is not about perfection. This means you do not have to worry about making every single idea amazing. Rather, consider coming up with many ideas, even if they do not necessarily seem perfect or even good at first. These ideas can be steppingstones to other ideas that may come along.

You may need to brainstorm an abundance of ideas before settling on the "right" idea that leads to further inspiration. Often, it takes a high quantity of ideas before coming to the quality ideas that warrant further development.

3. Look to the Ordinary

Look to ordinary, everyday things for inspiration. This can train your brain to think creatively. For example, if you see an interesting design or texture in the flooring at the grocery store, take note so you can expand on your ideas and the concept later. If you want to choreograph a dance and you see the wind blowing through the trees, take note of the movements of the leaves and branches.

Be willing to look for inspiration when you are not expecting it. If you see something that sparks an imaginative idea, make sure you remember it for the future. Take notes on your phone, or snap a photograph for your later reference.

4. Collaborate With Others

Collaboration has powerful implications when it comes to creativity. There are various ways to collaborate with creatives and artists that can give you great ideas. Brainstorming with others and joining together to come up with creative solutions can break down your mental blocks.

5. Experiment With Different Styles

One way to step outside of your comfort zone in your field is to experiment with different styles. For example, if you are a musician who primarily plays classical music, experimenting in jazz or pop might help you gain creativity as a musician, even in your own genre. If you are an artist who usually draws digitally, perhaps you can try using watercolor or colored pencils to expand your skills and your ideas.

6. Have Confidence

Having confidence in your work can help you develop creativity. If you are too afraid to try new things or experiment in your art, it is difficult to be creative.

According to a Harvard Business Review article by Tom Kelley and David Kelley, there are four main fears that keep people from allowing themselves to be creative. These include fear of the messy unknown, fear of being judged, fear of the first step, and fear of losing control.* Each of these fears can hinder creativity, but with confidence can be overcome.

It is important to realize that what you create does not have to be perfect or better than anyone else's work. Having confidence in your own work and learning not to compare yourself to others can boost your creativity. If you avoid putting yourself into a box of perfection, you'll feel free to try new things and have creative ideas.

7. Give Your Brain a Refresh

Sometimes the best way to form new ideas is to take a step back from your project. Robert Epstein, PhD, a psychologist and Harvard grad, says stress and time constraints can kill your creative process.** Sometimes it is best to take a break. This can help reduce your stress around the project and get your creative juices flowing again.

Here are a few ways to give yourself a brain break:

Go on a walk: Going on a walk can get you out into a new environment. Not only can this help you relax, but you may also find new inspiration while out and about.

Eat a snack: Taking a snack break can give you motivation and brain power to continue with your creative work.

Read a book: Sometimes allowing your brain to not think or to think about something else is a good method for regenerating your creativity. Reading a favorite book or magazine might bring you motivation.

Talk to a loved one: Interacting with other people can also give you a brain break from your project. Plus, your conversation may spark an idea.

Take a quick nap: Energy can be extremely helpful in creative processes. If you are feeling tired, taking a quick nap might be just the boost you need.

Creative Degrees

There are many creative degrees that help students learn how to be more creative. Each one is unique to a specific art. Some performing and digital art degree programs include:

Each of these bachelor's degree programs teaches the technical skills that help students lead successful careers in artistic fields. Students also get inspiration by networking and collaborating with peers and professors.

Interested in developing your creativity with a performing arts and digital arts degree program such as the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design or the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Production? Click on the Request Info button at the top of your screen to learn more. Check out other blogs on the GCU blog page.

Retrieved from:

*Harvard Business Review, Reclaim Your Creative Confidence in June 2021

**American Psychological Association, The Science of Creativity in June 2021

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Do you ever wonder how to be more creative? Read more tips for developing creativity in this blog and learn about creative degrees offered at GCU.

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Picking a Mascot for your school, organization, or company can be difficult. We came up with a list of mascot ideas to get you started!

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#SocialSchool4EDU | Blog | 14 Creative School Mascot Photo Ideas

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Discover 14 creative school mascot photo ideas that are sure to “stop the scroll” and enhance your school’s social media storytelling.

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Evolution of School Mascots: A Historical Perspective | School Branding Agency

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Mash B. is the Founder & CEO of School Branding Agency. Since 1998, Mash has helped conscious brands differentiate themselves and AWAKEN through Brand Strategy and Brand Identity Design. Schedule a Brand Strategy Video Call with Mash.

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Brand product mascot idea

KIEHL's
Competence

Kiehl's ditches the traditional mascot idea for clean packaging. This reinforces its heritage and lets the science-backed ingredients speak to the brand's history and competence, avoiding cute gimmicks that could undermine its professional image.

Music brand mascot idea

POST MALONE
Excitement

Post Malone's unique baby-devil mascot Demitri is a hit because it's both memorable and versatile. It breaks the mold, reflecting his individuality, while the devil horns hint at his rebellious personality and the baby keeps it approachable, broadening his appeal. This all makes Malone's mascot an exciting compliment to his brand.

Signage mascot idea

YMCA Sincerity

Y Guy's friendly, inclusive image reinforces the YMCA's sincere focus on core values like respect and belonging, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Human Animal Food Object Head

There are so many good mascot ideas to choose from that it's almost impossible to know which once would be the best for you. For this reason, we've create the 3-step guide on this page to help you select the best one for your organization.

When choosing a mascot name for your organization try to keep things easy to say and remember. It helps if the name matches your brand or product, is easy to say and remember with out too many words. Some examples of this would be: "The Michelin Man", Home Depot's "Homer", and the YMCA's "Y Guy".

Cool ideas for high schools, colleges, universities, and elementary school mascots.

HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT IDEAS: Mascot ideas for high school are all about energy and spirit! Look for fierce animals like eagles, tigers, or dragons are all great ideas for high schools to represent your school's competitive drive.

UNIVERSITY MASCOT IDEAS: Your university mascot should embody the values your institution holds dear. Consider strong cats like cougars or wildcats or even majestic mythological creatures. These are very popular and good character ideas for universities.

COLLEGE MASCOT IDEAS: When choosing a college mascot, think about what reflects your college's unique identity. Animals with strong symbolism or local mascots can be great choices.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MASCOT IDEAS: For young children, fun, friendly, and relatable mascot ideas for school are key. Consider cuddly bears, wise owls, or even colorful fruits and vegetables!

Popular sports team mascot ideas

Every sports team needs a rallying symbol! Brainstorm a mascot that captures your team's spirit - is it a ferocious lion for the football team or a soaring eagle for the basketball squad? Choose a mascot that embodies the values you want your team to project: strength, speed, or maybe just pure fun.

BASEBALL: Baseball's mascots are legendary! Move beyond the furry hot dogs and consider some unique mascot ideas for a change. How about a soaring wiffle ball for a playful twist, or a mythical creature like a thunderbird to represent the power of your hitters?

BASKETBALL: Slam dunk a winning mascot for your basketball team! Think about a high-flying animal like a hawk, or a powerful one like a gorilla. Maybe a mascot with dazzling tricks and moves would perfectly represent your team's finesse.

FOOTBALL: For your football team, choose a mascot that inspires fear in the competition! A ferocious lion, a stoic knight, or even a mythical beast like a griffin could be perfect. The mascot should embody the strength and determination your team brings to the field.

HOCKEY: Hockey's mascots are known to be tough! Consider a powerful animal like a bear or a mythical creature like a Kraken to show your opponents you mean business. Maybe a mascot with lightning-fast reflexes would perfectly represent your team's agility on the ice.

Awesome animal mascot ideas

Struggling to find the best mascot ideas? The animal kingdom! From courageous lions to wise owls, animal mascots can embody your brand's spirit. Explore fierce predators for a powerful image or playful dolphins for a friendly vibe.

Discover unique mascot ideas with a creative twist! Ditch the lions and eagles and consider a majestic stag for elegance or a resourceful raccoon for cleverness. Let your animal mascot ideas stand out from the crowd.

Some funny mascot design ideas to consider

There are lots of options for funny mascot ideas. Ditch the fierce fangs and fiery eyes! Here's your chance to tickle the funny bone.

Imagine Phil the Flustered Flamingo, tripping over his lanky legs. Penelope Panda could be a clumsy chef, forever making a mess, or even a giant mascot of Yeti. There is not limit to the costumes mascot ideas that can be created.

Or how about Reginald the Rabbit, a bookworm with giant glasses who gets tangled in his oversized ears? Let your mascot be the punchline, bringing laughter and a touch of silliness to the game!

When it comes to mascot ideas funny and unique sky's the limit. Funny mascots can give you more of an opportunity to be more creative and crazy.

Steps to Request A Sketch of A Design

Creating a mascot begins with a clear vision of your design. Once you have a solid idea of what you want, the next step involves collaborating with a professional mascot-making company. Here's a streamlined process:

1: Conceptualize Your Mascot: Start by detailing what your mascot should represent and its core features. Think about the colors, textures, and emotions you want your mascot to evoke.

2: Research Professional Mascot Makers: Look for reputable companies that specialize in custom mascot design. Consider reading reviews and checking portfolios to ensure they align with your vision.

3: Initiate Contact: Reach out to the company with your initial ideas. Share any sketches or reference images you might have to help them understand your concept.

4: Request a Professional Sketch: Ask the company to provide a preliminary sketch. This drawing serves as a visual representation that brings your ideas to life and acts as the first draft of your mascot's journey.

5: Receive a Quote: Along with the sketch, most companies will offer a detailed quote. This will outline the cost involved in creating your mascot, providing clarity on the financial aspect of your project.

6: Review and Revise: Examine the sketch thoroughly and discuss any necessary changes. Effective communication ensures that the final design aligns perfectly with your expectations.

By following these steps, you can transform your mascot concept into reality, while also gaining insight into the production costs and processes involved.

1. Increased Visibility and Recognition: Leveraging the likeness of well-known figures, whether it's a legendary athlete, an iconic entertainer, or a world-record-holding animal, can instantly boost your brand's visibility. These figures often have a built-in fan base, which means your message can reach a broader audience more quickly.

2. Enhanced Brand Image: Associating your organization with a respected and admired individual can enhance its credibility and prestige. When people see a role model endorsing your cause or product, they're more likely to view your organization in a positive light.

3. Emotional Connection: Famous role models often evoke strong emotional responses. By aligning with a beloved figure, you can create an emotional connection with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your brand and remain loyal customers or supporters.

4. Cross-Promotion Opportunities: If managed well, the partnership can benefit both parties. Your organization can leverage their fame, while the individual enhances their personal brand by associating with a reputable cause or product. This mutual benefit can lead to successful cross-promotion and drive engagement across multiple platforms.

5. Narrative Alignment: A role model's story can become a powerful part of your brand's narrative. If their values and achievements align with your brand's mission, it creates a cohesive message that resonates with your audience.

In summary, employing famous role models as mascots can significantly amplify your reach online, via social media, in real life to build a strong brand identity, and foster a lasting connection with your target audience.

free Design + Quote

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MASCOT IDEAS - 3-Steps To Cool Custom Mascots | LOONIE TIMES

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A 3-STEP mascot ideas guide for brands, schools, sports teams, business, companies, and non-profit. Animal, human, food, object custom mascot ideas.

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A mascot is any human, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fictional, representative spokespeople for consumer products.

In sports, mascots are also used for merchandising. Team mascots are often related to their respective team nicknames. This is especially true when the team's nickname is something that is a living animal and/or can be made to have humanlike characteristics. For more abstract nicknames, the team may opt to have an unrelated character serve as the mascot. For example, the athletic teams of the University of Alabama are nicknamed the Crimson Tide, while their mascot is an elephant named Big Al. Team mascots may take the form of a logo, person, live animal, inanimate object, or a costumed character, and often appear at team matches and other related events. Since the mid-20th century, costumed characters have provided teams with an opportunity to choose a fantasy creature as their mascot, as is the case with the Philadelphia Phillies' mascot: Phillie Phanatic, the Philadelphia Flyers' mascot: Gritty, the Seattle Kraken mascot: Buoy, and the Washington Commanders' mascot: Major Tuddy.

Costumed mascots are commonplace, and are regularly used as goodwill ambassadors in the community for their team, company, or organization.

It was sports organizations that initially first thought of using animals as a form of mascot to bring entertainment and excitement for their spectators. Before mascots were fictional icons or people in suits, animals were mostly used in order to bring a somewhat different feel to the game and to strike fear upon the rivalry teams.

As time went on, mascots evolved from predatory animals, to two-dimensional fantasy mascots, to finally what we know today, three-dimensional mascots. Stylistic changes in American puppetry in the mid-20th century, including the work of Jim Henson and Sid and Marty Krofft, soon were adapted to sports mascots. It allowed people to not only have visual enjoyment but also interact physically with the mascots.

Marketers quickly realized the great potential in three-dimensional mascots and took on board the costumed puppet idea. This change encouraged other companies to start creating their own mascots, resulting in mascots being a necessity amongst not only the sporting industry but for other organisations.

The word 'mascot' originates from the French term 'mascotte' which means lucky charm. This was used to describe anything that brought luck to a household. The word was first recorded in 1867 and popularised by a French composer Edmond Audran who wrote the opera La mascotte, performed in December 1880. The word entered the English language in 1881 with the meaning of a specific living entity associated with a human organization as a symbol or live logo. However, before this, the terms were familiar to the people of France as a slang word used by gamblers. The term is a derivative of the word 'masco' meaning sorceress or witch. Before the 19th century, the word 'mascot' was associated with inanimate objects that would be commonly seen such as a lock of hair or a figurehead on a sailing ship. From then to the twentieth century, the term has been used in reference to any good luck animals, objects etc., and more recently including human caricatures and fictional creatures created as logos for sports teams.

The San Diego Chicken, portrayed by Ted Giannoulas, was a staple in the San Diego area during the 1970s and 80s. On the right is United States President Ronald Reagan at a campaign stop in San Diego during the 1988 election.

University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis makes the University of Miami's signature "The U" hand gesture, December 2007.

Often, the choice of the mascot reflects the desired quality; a typical example of this is the "fighting spirit," in which a competitive nature is personified by warriors or predatory animals.

In the United States, controversy surrounds some mascot choices, especially those using human likenesses. Mascots based on Native American tribes are particularly contentious, as many argue that they constitute offensive exploitations of an oppressed culture. However, several Indian tribes have come out in support of keeping the names. For example, the Utah Utes and the Central Michigan Chippewas are sanctioned by local tribes, and the Florida State Seminoles are supported by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in their use of Osceola and Renegade as symbols. FSU chooses not to refer to them as mascots because of the offensive connotation. This has not, however, prevented fans from engaging in " Redface"-dressing up in stereotypical, Plains Indian outfits during games, or creating offensive banners saying "Scalp 'em" as was seen at the 2014 Rose Bowl.

Some sports teams have "unofficial" mascots: individual supporters or fans that have become identified with the team. The New York Yankees have such an individual in fan Freddy Sez. Former Toronto Blue Jays mascot BJ Birdie was a costumed character created by a Blue Jays fan, ultimately hired by the team to perform at their home games. USC Trojans mascot is Tommy Trojan who rides on his horse (and the official mascot of the school) Traveler.

Boomer Beaver (photographed in 2007) was the mascot for the Portland Beavers, a now-defunct Minor League Baseball team.

In the United Kingdom, some teams have young fans become "mascots". These representatives sometimes have medical issues, and the appearance is a wish grant, the winner of a contest, or under other circumstances. Mascots also include older people such as Mr England, who are invited by national sports associations to be mascots for the representative teams. One of the earliest was Ken Baily, whose John Bull-inspired appearance was a regular at England matches from 1963 to 1990.

On October 28, 1989, University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis was tackled by a group of police officers for attempting to put out Chief Osceola's flaming spear prior to Miami's game against long-standing rival Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Sebastian was wearing a fireman's helmet and yellow raincoat and holding a fire extinguisher. When a police officer attempted to grab the fire extinguisher, the officer was sprayed in the chest. Sebastian was handcuffed by four officers but ultimately released.

University of Miami quarterback Gino Torretta told ESPN, "Even if we weren't bad boys, it added to the mystique that, 'Man, look, even their mascot's getting arrested.'"

Rooster is the mascot for a company in Croatia.

Mascots or advertising characters are very common in the corporate world. Recognizable mascots include Chester Cheetah, Keebler Elf, the Fruit of the Loom Guys, Mickey Mouse, Pizza Pizza Guy for Little Caesars, Rocky the Elf, Pepsiman and the NBC Peacock. These characters are typically known without even having to refer to the company or brand. This is an example of corporate branding, and soft selling a company. Mascots are able to act as brand ambassadors where advertising is not allowed. For example, many corporate mascots can attend non-profit events, or sports and promote their brand while entertaining the crowd. Some mascots are simply cartoons or virtual mascots, others are characters in commercials, and others are actually created as costumes and will appear in person in front of the public at tradeshows or events.

American high schools, colleges, and even middle and elementary schools typically have mascots. Many college and university mascots started out as live animals, such as bulldogs and bears that attended sporting events. Today, mascots are usually represented by animated characters, campus sculptures, and costumed students who attend sporting events, alumni gatherings, and other campus events.

Soohorang (left) and Bandabi (right) were the mascots for the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Paralympics, respectively, in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The mascots that are used for the Summer and Winter Olympic games are fictional characters, typically a human figure or an animal native to the country to which is holding that year's Olympic Games. The mascots are used to entice an audience and bring joy and excitement to the Olympics festivities. Likewise, many World expositions since 1984 have had mascots representing their host city in some way, starting with the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition's mascot Seymore D. Fair.

Since 1968, nearly all of the cities that have hosted the Summer or Winter Olympic Games have designed and promoted a mascot that relates to the culture of the host country the overall "brand" of that year's Games. Recent Winter/Summer Olympic games mascots include Miga, Quatchi, Mukmuk ( Vancouver, 2010), Wenlock and Mandeville ( London, 2012), Bely Mishka, Snow Leopard, Zaika ( Sochi, 2014) and Vinicius and Tom ( Rio, 2016) have all gone on to become iconic symbols in their respective countries.[non-primary source needed ] Since 2010, it has been common for the Olympic and Paralympic games to each have their own mascots, which are presented together. For example, the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is represented by Miraitowa, while the 2020 Summer Paralympics are represented by Someity, and the two often appear together in promotional materials.

In Japan, many municipalities have mascots, which are known as Yuru-chara ( Japanese: ゆるキャラ Hepburn: yuru kyara). Yuru-chara is also used to refer to mascots created by businesses to promote their products.

The goat mascot and Goat Major of the Royal Regiment of Wales

Mascots are also popular in military units. For example, the United States Marine Corps uses the English Bulldog as its mascot, while the United States Army uses the mule, the United States Navy uses the goat, and the United States Air Force uses the Gyrfalcon.

The goat in the Royal Welsh is officially not a mascot but a ranking soldier. Lance Corporal William Windsor retired on 20 May 2009, and his replacement "William Windsor II" was captured and formally recruited on June 15 that same year. Several regiments of the British Army have a live animal mascot which appear on parades. The Parachute Regiment and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders have a Shetland pony as their mascot, a ram for The Mercian Regiment; an Irish Wolfhound for the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment; a drum horse for the Queen's Royal Hussars and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; an antelope for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; and a goat for the Royal Welsh. Other British military mascots include a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a pair of ferrets.

The Norwegian Royal Guard adopted a king penguin named Nils Olav as its mascot on the occasion of a visit to Edinburgh by its regimental band. The (very large) penguin remains resident at Edinburgh Zoo and has been formally promoted by one rank on the occasion of each subsequent visit to Britain by the band or other detachments of the Guard. Regimental Sergeant Major Olav was awarded the Norwegian Army's Long Service and Good Conduct medal at a ceremony in 2005.

The U.S. Forest Service uses mascot Smokey Bear to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires.

Some bands, particularly in the heavy metal genre, use band mascots to promote their music. The mascots are usually found on album covers or merchandise such as band T-shirts, but can also make appearances in live shows or music videos. One example of a band mascot is Eddie of the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Eddie is a zombie-like creature which is personified in different forms on all of the band's albums, most of its singles and some of its promotional merchandise. Eddie is also known to make live appearances, especially during the song "Iron Maiden".

Another notable example of a mascot in music is Skeleton Sam of The Grateful Dead. South Korean hip hop band B.A.P uses rabbits named Matoki as their mascot, each bunny a different color representing each member. Although rabbits have an innocent image, BAP gives off a tough image. Hip hop artist Kanye West used to use a teddy bear named Dropout Bear as his mascot; Dropout Bear has appeared on the cover of West's first three studio albums, and served as the main character of West's music video, " Good Morning".

The question of whether a "hype-man" can legitimately be considered a hip-hop organization's mascot is currently an active subject of debate within academic Hip-Hop circles. However, local polling in relevant regions suggests acceptance of the "hype-man" as a legitimate organizational mascot.

Some television series have mascots, like the Cleatus the Robot animated cartoon figure on the U.S. sports television show Fox NFL Sunday.

Another example of a cartoon mascot on television is the Sir Seven knight character on Wisconsin's WSAW-TV.

List of mascots (college, computing, commercial, sports, public-service, television and movie, computer and video games, political parties)

Lucky charm

Mascot Hall of Fame

National emblem, National personification, National animals

Player escort, children accompanying football players also sometimes called mascots

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A mascot is any human, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fictional, representative spokespeople for consumer products.

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Custom Mascot Costumes | Mascot Maker For Corporate, Schools, Sports

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Mascots are incredibly versatile and can add value to in a variety of ways. One notable way that mascots can provide value is as educational tools to capture the attention of children and adults alike.

Mascots can serve as effective educators for any topic - whether it's health, safety, or an environmental cause. A relatable friend in the form of a mascot character can be an impactful tool used to teach and engage an audience, adding colour and fun to the learning process. Consider how your organization can use a mascot to share its message and further its mission.

Discover reasons why mascots make effective educational tools, and the ways organizations are using their mascots to effectively teach their audience:

1. Making Learning Animated and Inspired

Mascots characters have lively personalities to entertain and inspire. Sometimes learning can feel boring, and unimaginative, which makes it challenging to capture the attention of a group of rambunctious kids. With so many distractions in their environment, try changing the approach to education by introducing a furry mascot friend as a teaching tool. A mascot can bring excitement to a lesson and keep kids engaged from start to finish!

Mascot in action

The CBC preschool show, Scout and the Gumboot Kids, has a leading character in Scout! An impeccably dressed mouse, Scout and his companion Daisy, take the lessons learned on-screen, and bring them off-screen during community events and performances. Scout's teachings involve the magic of nature and mindfulness techniques to explore these phenomena. Scout makes learning animated, helping to inspire children to solve the mysteries of nature in fun and engaging ways.

2. Simplifying the Message

Depending on the topic, educational messages can be confusing and challenging for kids and adults to understand. Mascots can lend a hand - to simplify and breakdown complex concepts to make learning more accessible.

A mascot can create a friendly, approachable environment to help kids feel more comfortable and receptive to the topics they are learning. They can disarm young learners and support them in understanding more serious topics. If the learner was nervous about a topic before, now they have a buddy by their side to increase their confidence and encourage them in their learning.

Source: https://twitter.com/screenmeMNC/status/1146779065405333507

The Melanoma Network of Canada's mascot, affectionately known as SPF Sam, is a sunglasses-donning sunscreen bottle, developed to deliver the organization's message of sun safety. There is even a sunburn prevention checklist on the costume to provide a simple way for kids and adults to understand the right preventative measures to reduce their chance of melanoma. SPF Sam takes a serious topic like melanoma, and delivers a simple, accessible message about prevention in a fun and friendly way.

SPF Sam is also a regular fixture on the organization's social media channels, sharing his adventures in the community thorough his Screen Me accounts.

3. Creating a Memorable Learning Experience

If you want your message to be heard by your audience, you need to create a memorable learning experience. Mascots - with their fun, loving and goofy nature, can help deliver these messages in creative ways. There are many reasons why you may want people to remember your mascot and the information they shared, particularly if your message involves the health and safety of your audience. If you want your audience hanging off their every word, choose a mascot to deliver the message.

Mascot in action

Carl S. Bat is the locally loved mascot for the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Beneath the surface of the desert are more than 119 caves-filled with 17 different bat species. Carl is tasked with sharing the wonders of these caves to educate visitors.

Most recently, Carl popped up in an engaging YouTube video to educate visitors to the park during COVID19. He shares all the COVID19 precautions to ensure everyone visiting is being safe, while also enjoying everything that the National Park has to offer.

Interestingly, this heath and safety message can help boost the number of visitors to the park, as some visitors will be more inclined to visit upon seeing that the park is taking measures to actively limit the risk of spread or transmission between guests. In this sense, Carl serves the dual purpose of educating an audience, and marketing this national treasure.

Mascots can be used to educate audiences on a variety of topics - the possibilities are truly endless. When considering a mascot for your organization, choose a character that will appeal to your audience and can help to forward your mission.
Reach out to your local Toronto mascot design experts at Hogtown Mascots and let's start creating your dream mascot to serve as the face of your brand, and the messenger of your educational cause.

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Using Mascots as a Tool to Educate - Custom Mascot Costumes | Mascot Maker For Corporate, Schools, Sports

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Mascots are incredibly versatile and can add value to in a variety of ways. One notable way that mascots can provide value is as educational tools to capture the attention of children and adults alike. Mascots can serve as effective educators for any topic - whether it's health, safety, or an environmental cause.

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Imagine starting each class by saying "Are all my good little Bulldogs ready to have a good BullDog day?" A mascot gives young students a sense of belonging and community. By being a Bulldog, Panther, Falcon, or whatever, they are part of a flock, herd - a community; a group which demonstrates consistent behavior. As the head of that group, you can outline the desired behavior in terms of positive character traits. "Bulldogs are honest, helpful, polite, etc."

Walking into class for the first time can be exciting, but it can also be intimidating and even scary for some kids. They don't know what to expect. This is all new territory to them. By introducing the new environment by saying "Congratulations! You are now a Bulldog, and that is very special for many reasons. Let me tell you about what being a Bulldog means..." the teacher is being inclusive - bringing the child into the group. And the child has their first victory under their belt - they became part of a very special group they can be proud of. Being part of the group also comes with rules and expectations.

At the end of their first day of school, the child's head may be spinning with all the new experiences, but one thing they will know for sure - they are now a Bulldog! They will be proud of it; and they will aspire to be a good little Bulldog, and the teacher will guide them in their quest to be a good little Bulldog.

A mascot can serve as a platform for teaching a broad array of complex topics. For example, say "Bulldog," and it brings an image to mind. The word "honesty" is not a picture word, so it is harder to teach. Saying that good little Bulldogs are honest, and discussing what that means in terms of behavior, gives the children a visual starting point for grasping more complex concepts. Having them understand that they ARE Bulldogs, and Bulldogs are honest, means that they will aspire to be honest, because it is part of the nature of the community they associate themselves with.

In many respects, your mascot is like glue that makes the lesson stick to the student more effectively. It makes lessons easier to digest, and it attaches the learning to something they strongly associate with, and take pride in being part of.

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Imagine starting each class by saying “Are all my good little Bulldogs ready to have a good BullDog day?” A mascot gives young students a sense of belonging and community. By being a Bulldog, Panther, Falcon, or whatever, they are part of a flock, herd – a community; a group which demonstrates consistent behavior. As the head of that group,…Read more →