Higher Education in the Digital Age (HE703) students gained hands-on experience in visual communication this semester with a project that challenged them to create a new mascot for Mason’s next 50 years. As part of the project, students created a prototype, completed at least one Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX) workshop, and created a more permanent version of their mascot.
Higher Education professor Kelly Schrum designed the project with exposure to the MIX in mind. “In addition to being a fun, creative assignment, the goal was to learn about the MIX and makerspaces in higher education,” she said. "Students learned to experiment with new digital tools, think creatively and visually about communicating institutional values, and made amazing mascots!"
The project culminated with each team pitching their mascots to judges, all Mason communication professionals. Judges scored the students’ presentations on five criteria: memorable and recognizable; cultivates pride and affection for Mason; unique and Mason specific; compatible with marketing, communications, athletic and non-athletic events; and looks good in every medium while performing tasks and displaying emotions.
Hayley Hinley and Susan Grunder received the most points for Declaration!, whose name comes from the Virginia Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason in 1776. Both agreed the most difficult part of the process was coming up with a concept, but they were up for the challenge.
Susan Grunder and Hayley Hinley present the winning mascot, Declaration! Photo by Melanie O'Brien
“This is by far my favorite project I've ever done in undergrad or grad school,” Hinley said in her class reflection. “I learned a lot about the MIX and especially the 3D printers which I will be using again very soon.”
Charlie Kreitzer, whose mascot Murphy, a small, sprightly weasel, was a runner up to Declaration!, also appreciated the exposure the project gave him to the MIX. “I thought it was cool to try out a 3D printer and feel confident that, if I ever had something I wanted to make, I could go over and print it—something I would never have done before,” he said. “It’s a good reminder that not all technology lives in our computers. These physical advancements are also technology in higher education.”
Judges Maureen Nasser, Associate Athletic Director, Communications, Intercollegiate Athletics, Logan Lilly, Enrollment Marketing Operations Coordinator, Office of the Provost, and Eric Woodall, Associate Vice President, Brand Marketing, Office of University Branding, pose with the final Mascot projects. Photo by Melanie O'Brien
December 01, 2023