Remember a while back when, with the full support of the GDC, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee (VANOC) put out an Request For Proposal (RFP) for Mascot Designs? Well the results are in. VANOC had a press conference to announce their 3 Mascots. First and foremost, congratulations go out to Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy, of Meomi Design for their design! Also, for those of you have been following the relationship between the BC/GDC and VANOC with regards to Spec Work, I have to give a lot of credit to the both parties who worked together to ensure that the RFP was done in accordance with GDC guidelines and had the full support and approval of the GDC.

As is the case with ALL public design (be it Communication Industrial or Architectural Design) reception to the results are mixed and blogs, list-serves and even TSN are starting to weigh in with opinions. The result may not be what YOU would have done, but they are an an expression of Canadian diversity with multiple stories and symbolism. They are simple, friendly and attempt to capture aspects of the Canadian spirit, culture, attitude, geography, athleticism, sports—even mythology—in a friendly way.

A hybrid of a bear and a whale? Why not. At least they tried to be clever. More aboriginal iconography? Certainly. It’s an attempt at being first-nations friendly without alienating other British Columbians. The best possible solution? Of course not. Is there ever one perfect solution with so many stakeholders?

Is it good design? Consider the audience and demographic before engaging in another bashing. Time will tell if it engages and communicates the message to a broad international audience—a predominantly younger audience—and brings the crowds to Vancouver.

Congrats to all involved!

1. Jesse Woodward Says:
   November 27th, 2007 at 4:34 pm

   I love them. They’re cute and fun, and I feel they are a happy medium between the different cultural influences of the coast. Anime-pokemon characters? Give it a rest folks… they’re mascots.

   I especially love the sasquatch.

2. Jason Landry Says:
   November 27th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

   I’m very happy with the design and would like to congratulate Meomi as well. Well done.

3. Jojo Horn Says:
   November 28th, 2007 at 3:46 am

   They are the ugliest things I ever seen. These represent our beautiful province? Get bloody real.People will taake home these ugly creatures to represent us.
   I have no idea who is the creator of the art for our Olympics but they are all a very sad representation of who we are. First..we are not a bunch of Indians. Second, we have magnificient things in BC for which we could have very significantly been represented.
   Those ugly creations would give a child a night mare.
   My God! You have all this time and OUR money and this is what it is wasted on?
   Fire the darn people who are NOT represently the people as we WANT to be represented. I have yet to see anything that would please a resident of this great province. WHAT the heck are you doing to us?
   UGLY…… what dumb creatures. I would not use them for toilet paper let alone buy one for a friend for The olympics.
   Outrageous and very poor art.

   My opinon

4. sparks Says:
   November 28th, 2007 at 9:41 am

   The best possible solution? I think that this is a great strategy to create something new and magical with a great story behind it. Kids love these and you and I can’t argue with that. Shops in Gastown are filled with red and white beavers, mounties, moose, etc. I’m glad to see something original that is modern and Canadian. WELL DONE!

5. Calvin Yu Says:
   April 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm

   hi, jojo.

   get over it.

   specifically when you say “we’re not indians” indicates you are quite ignorant.

   anyone educated in this province refers to the people who were here well before you as native or aboriginal peoples.

   i feel the mascots are well suited and modern and ultimately they serve a commercial purpose.

   you probably haven’t been too in touch with pop culture in the last 10 years and i’m sorry to say you seem quite heated in something i would probably put money on that you could not accomplish creating a unique sellable product.

   you can complain all you want about the olympics and it’s all about money.

   i think the creator of the characters did a great job and was hired for her aesthetic. go blame someone else.

   calvin

6. Justin R Says:
   May 26th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

   This is old news now, but I like the mascot designs. They are modern, marketable, and cute as heck! My only gripe is that these were made in China, instead of in Canada.

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