Advertising whizzes acknowledge that mascots can be a highly effective
tool when it comes to promoting your business. With continuing exposure,
mascots naturally remind customers of a company or team, and leave a lasting
impression - which is the ultimate goal of having a mascot. Mascot design
and construction vary, and during the design process, you will have to make
some important decisions that will impact the appearance of your character.
Following are some helpful tips on what you should know about the mascot design
process before
you buy a mascot costume.
Design Concept
Mascot design begins with your vision. Many mascots are inspired
by a toy, cartoon, food, animal, person, or, even an object. When making
this decision, you must first consider how the mascot will be used, whether it
will be standing still, handing out literature, or waving, jumping, and running
or all of the above. The communication process is important at this stage
as professional mascot designers begin to sketch your character and help you
choose colors, body shapes, and facial expressions. The designers at Hogtown
Mascots, for
example, use digital software that allows them to make rapid changes to the
design while communicating with you.
Comfort
Performer comfort needs to be a priority in the design of a mascot
outfit. The material used must be strong enough to endure the mascot’s movements,
while not causing the performer to be uncomfortable during the show/appearance.
The best mascot designers are actual performers who have experience wearing
mascot apparel for extended periods of time. All mascot costumes can be
hot, but using lightweight and breathable materials can make a huge difference.
Hogtown Mascots uses different types of lightweight, breathable foam
with varying degrees of density, rigidity, and flexibility. If you are
considering buying a mascot costume, you should avoid any designer who uses
fiberglass, upholstery foam, or compressed paper products. These
materials result in substandard costumes that will either not last or will be
too heavy to wear. Fiberglass is heavy, inflexible and likely to crack. Upholstery
foam is elastic and will droop after use. Upholstery foam is also not very
breathable and loves to hold moisture and bacteria.
Construction
Mascots may have different types of helmets used inside the head.
For comfort, support, and flexibility, the best helmets are custom-fitted and
adjustable. Padding should be included and removable for adaptability and
cleaning. Chin straps may be integrated with the
helmet for particularly energetic, or gymnastic mascot maneuverers. The
designers at Hogtown Mascots focus first on every mascot’s
comfort and safety during their performances. For this reason, more often
than not, the mascot’s head is not fastened to the body by fasteners or straps
that prohibit its hasty removal. This head independence also allows the
performer a much greater range of movement.
The structure and shape of the mascot body define its character.
Avoid designers who use wire, paper maché, or other material that does not
retain its shape after being hugged by children and adults. The finest
mascot designers utilize lightweight foam between layers of breathable sports
mesh to construct a mascot inner body that allows heat and moisture to
escape. Strong metal rings can then be attached to the inner body to hold
flexible tubing which allows the mascot to be repeatedly hugged without losing
its shape. The inner body design provides a space around the performer’s
body which increases the airflow.
Mascot design is serious business at Hogtown Mascots. If you are
looking for a professional mascot to represent your business or school, call
the mascot professionals at Hogtown today.
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