Are you back to the drawing board again with another mascot design idea for your brand? Mascots are harder working than they come across – not only are they part of your team and the ambassador bringing your brand story to life, but mascots also work to significantly increase emotional connections, engagement and sales potential, as seen with some of IMC’s classic mascots Hunter from the Edmonton Oilers, or Sluggerrr from the Kansas City Royals. When creating your mascot idea, you need to also think about how it will be used and how to make it travel-friendly. With IMC, we’re here to help you design the perfect travel-sized mascot without breaking the bank or your brand guidelines!
8 Things to Consider In Your Mascot Design
There’s so much to consider when designing a mascot for your brand. Before diving into the mascot’s colour or outfits, you have to start at the beginning. Did you know your mascot’s design is just as important as its personality? Your mascot’s engagement can also increase your company’s investment return through ticket sales, promos, and events. Ask yourself the following:
- How easy is it to wear?
- How easy is it to clean?
- How easy is it to transport?
- How long will production take?
- What is the cost of designing and manufacturing your mascot?
- Is the mascot costume hot to wear?
- Who will wear the mascot costume?
- Where can you use your mascot at internal and external events?
At IMC, we strive to create the best mascot designs that are high-quality, easy to ship and give performers great mobility. During the design phase, our team helps you identify what you want to do with your mascot, where it will be used, and what features will be required.
Thinking ahead to who will bring your mascot costume to life? IMC is proud to partner with suppliers across North America who can provide performers for your next event. To start the conversation, contact us today!
How Much Does Mascot Design Cost?
A custom mascot design can range from $6,000 to $10,000. The more detailed the design, the more time it takes—but the results are amazing! With the right care, your mascot can last over 5-7 years. Plus, with IMC, you get mascot storage and transport services, making it easy to schedule when and where your mascot arrives and ensuring it gets cleaned and stored properly.
At IMC, our mascot design process has four key steps to ensure that your mascot is exactly what you’re looking for:
- Needs Assessment to understand your brand, mascot ideas, and how we can bring your mascot to life
- Creative Illustrations where you can see the initial designs of your mascot and have a say on what’s missing
- Costume Design and Fabrication, including sculpting, finishing, sewing, and logo embroidery
- Approvals and Delivery, with a mid-production customer review
Ready to start the conversation and bring your mascot idea to life? Contact us today to receive a quote on your mascot design and start the conversation with our team!
How Do You Come Up with a Mascot Design?
Remember, crafting a successful mascot begins with understanding your brand and the events that your mascot will be at. Every good mascot idea starts with going to the drawing board and considering how it will be used time after time to help boost your ROI. Our team at IMC is here to walk you through the process of designing your first mascot, but if you want to do some pre-work, there are a few action steps to get you started:
- Think About Your Brand: Consider what makes your brand or event unique. Is it a school mascot that needs to boost school spirit? Or a business mascot that reflects your company’s personality? Your brand values will shape your mascot’s personality, from strength to unique quirks that will get the audience buzzing.
- Choose Your Mascot Idea: Do you want your mascot to be a human, animal, or object? Your choice should align with what best suits your audience and what your company does. If what you sell is easy to visualize, consider an object! For a school mascot, opt for an animal that best represents your values.
- Give Your Mascot Personality: What kind of vibe do you want your mascot to give off? Friendly and approachable? Silly and playful? Professional and serious? Your mascot’s personality will help it connect with your audience and represent your brand or event vibe. Your mascot’s personality can come to life in its facial expressions—strength and grit with a game face or a sweet demeanour with a sly smile.
- Don’t Forget Cool Features!: Make your mascot stand out with cool features, colours, and props that make it instantly recognizable. Big eyes, crazy hair, or a cool costume can add to the fun. Consider how flexible it needs to be based on where it will be used, how often it will travel, and whether it will be known for dancing or crazy antics.
By following these steps, you’ll create a mascot that rocks your brand or event. At IMC, we love bringing mascot ideas to life. From the first sketch to the final costume, we make sure your mascot design is the star of every show! If you are looking for inspiration on where you can use your mascot, check out our blog for more great ideas!
Design Your Mascot with IMC
Whatever your mascot needs are, we’ve got a mascot idea for anything from events to new businesses, product launches, and schools! Our mascot design team will work with you to create an illustration and mascot design that’s kid-friendly and lasts for every event, skit, and everything in between. Request a free quote to work with us today!