For this mascot project the client, Northwest Arkansas Community College, was in need of a new mascot that would showcase a feature of Arkansas, have bold colors, and be unique to differentiate from other local schools.
The first step in creating a unique mascot was to research and find the appropriate animal that fit the qualifications that the client requested. After much research the final animal used to create the mascot was the Kingfisher bird. Kingfishers are avid hunters with energetic flight and have a piercing rattle as it patrols the rivers and shorelines of its habitat. Northwest Arkansas Community College would be well represented through the Kingfisher bird as both exhibit qualities of intelligence and spirit in using their acquired skills to accomplish their goals.
A reference photo is used to create an initial rough sketch that develops into the final colored version. From left to right the first sketch is a rough outline based on the reference photo and focusing on simplifying the shapes of the bird’s face. Next is the bold outline that uses simple and strong strokes, which is created using the rough outline as a guide. Bolder, thicker lines are then added in the third rendering with more detail in order to make the mascot look more fierce. The final step is to apply color along with highlight and shadows to make the mascot stand out.
For the name of the team, KINGFISHERS, the font selected was Copperplate Bold. This font was selected to emphasize the strength and power of both the animal and the team. The text is applied in an arc fashion within the logo to create unity and visual appeal.The colors selected for the mascot are similar to the natural coloring of the bird and also fits in with the request from the client for bold colors. All of the colors used are listed to the right of the Logotype.
The entire final design is encased in a six point shape that has similarity with the mascot to create relationships as well as to create space for the team and college name. The final design is a great fit for Northwest Arkansas Community College due to its uniqueness to Arkansas and bold colors.
Applications were made in Adobe Photoshop of the mascot being place on a soccer uniform, fan gear tracksuit, and a hat. Each application was modified to match the colors of the Kingfishers team to provide visual aids for the client to demonstrate how the design would translate to real life products.
