Website mascots as a marketing tool 3

[cian]

Hi guys,

2 quick questions for you.

1. What do you think of mascots used on websites? I think they are an excellent marketing tool but what's your opinion? You know common ones such as on Mozilla, Gimp etc etc.they seem pretty effective.

2. If I were to incorporate a mascot into my site redesign what do you think might be appropriate? I already have one in mind but I want to see if I am on the same page as others

The site in my signature will be redesigned and it's to this that I was thinking of going with a mascot type thingy

Any opinions?





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http://www.ssi-developer.net/

 

[ChrisHunt]

I guess it comes down to what you are able to draw (or get drawn for you). A mascot can be a fun way to tie your site together and give it some "branding", but if they look scrappy the site will too.

As to "what": something techie, like a robot? something webby, like a spider? even something Irish, like a leprechaun? (though a potato would fit your current colour scheme better!). Up to you really to define the character of your site.

-- Chris Hunt

http://www.extracon.com

http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk

http://www.napitalia.org.uk

http://www.leicesteryha.org.uk

 

[cian]

A spud might do the trick alright )

You made an excellent point about what I can draw or get drawn. If it looks even a little scrappy it won't go on the site at all.

Thanks Chris!





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http://www.ssi-developer.net/

 

[RoguePoet01]

Mascots, symbols, that's a really personal thing. I'd go with your heart.

Though not necessarily a mascot, I think that symbols are important. It's also nice to have something that you can turn into a favicon, since all of the cool browsers let the users see them.

 

[cian]

Thanks for the feedback RoguePoet01
a symbol might be a better idea too, easier to draw. Although coming up with an idea for one is always a difficult task, imo.

Thanks again guys!




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http://www.ssi-developer.net/

 

[imstillatwork]

they only work when they have some quality in common with the goals of the web site / company / products / etc..

 

[alsoknownas]

Go with a symbol, I mean who does not recognize a symbol

 

[RoguePoet01]

I disagree with imstillatwork: that's not a hard and fast rule, though a good guideline.

All artists are theives, so look around, keep your eyes open, and usually serendipity will show you the way.

Find something you like, modify it to suit your site or personality, and go with it.

 

[cian]

Thanks guys, all advice taken on board.

All artists are theives...
i've been doing a good scan of the net to see how others put it together. i'll try to be original though there's only so many ways you can do a logo





- É -

http://www.ssi-developer.net/

 

[ChrisHunt]

"they only work when they have some quality in common with the goals of the web site"

What do penguins have in common with Linux? What do dinosaurs have in common with ODP? What do camels have in common with Perl? I don't think they need any particular common quality - though it is a bonus if they do.


"Go with a symbol"

A symbol, or a logo, is not (in my opinion) a mascot. A symbol/logo is a single design that never changes, even if it depicts a kind of creature - like, say, the lion logo on a Peugeot car. A mascot is a character rather than a specific picture - like Tony the Tiger on a packet of (or advert for) Frosties.

On one of my sites,

http://www.leicesteryha.org.uk

, the little fox at the top-left is (currently) a logo - because he's a fixed design. Somewhere down my to-do list is the job of drawing some variations of him - e.g. reading a newspaper for the "News" pages, holding a camera for the "Slideshows". That will make him more like a mascot.

Having said all that, a symbol/logo can be just as powerful as a mascot, and a lot easier to tailor to your drawing ability.

-- Chris Hunt

http://www.extracon.com

http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk

http://www.napitalia.org.uk

http://www.leicesteryha.org.uk

 

[blueark]

Shell have perhaps one of the most recognised logos in the world. During the 70s, they turned it into a mascot, giving it eyes, a big smile, and had it dancing around it's TV ads. After a while, they dropped it because it interfered with it's corporate identity. I guess the lesson is, mascots are fine, but be careful it doesn't detract from your message.

Personally, I think they should be separate from your logo (if you have one), but at the same time, it should compliment it. There are always exceptions, though. I would suggest coming up with a few ideas, ask people which one they prefer, then spend some time drawing it in a number of 'poses', or with different expressions. Naturally, it should look like it belongs on your site, otherwise it will just look like some cheap clip-art. This can be done with color, or by using some element (such as a hat), and reusing it in other areas in the site (maybe as bullet points).

 

[RoguePoet01]

"Put a tiger in your tank...."