Big Mascots & Big Costumes

mascots

What comes next/ Mascots in a Post Pandemic World

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Even during the quarantines and the pandemic, the mascots reach out to us with —well—goofy joy. Like us, the mascots have adjusted. They totally get social media. They groove with ZOOM. They easily interact with fans, students and customers no matter what the circumstances.

They are with us in on our screens as we work from home and tiptoe into the office.

When we all come out of our homes to explore the ever-changing new normal, the mascots will be there to greet us.

Stay in touch with each other, wear a mask and connect with your favorite mascots.

xo Queen of Fuzz and the Mascot Makers

https://twitter.com/i/status/1243721675797073928

Let’s connect and discuss big things!

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©Jennifer Smith/Avant Garb Inc. 2020

A Grocery Bag Mascot for Kroger

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A Grocery Bag Mascot

The Kroger Grocery Bag Mascot was a delicious project! The Bag is named, “Big K”. He’s a bounitiful Bag w/ a nice bowtie & a bevy of glorious groceries.

We designed the Kroger products to have an animated look with simple graphics and the Kroger logo.

All of the Kroger logos are placed at the top of the grocery boxes, cans, bags, bottles and jars. It to appear as a kind of “crown” of Kroger products.

Produce!

Figuring out the patterns for celery and bananas was a challenge and we were up to it.

The celery and bananas are an added visual delight to an already awesome mascot!

Big K – The Mascot Diplomat

Big K, the Kroger grocery bag mascot, is a diplomat, Kroger’s representative at events that matter in the community like parades, charitable runs, festival. there are dozens of event where Big K, the Grocery Bag presence enhances the brand.

Thinking about getting a mascot for your brand? Get in touchQuote button

Fuzz, Foam & Fleece – Mascot Haute Couture

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Yes, the mascot studio is like a haute-couture atelier.

Rather than fine silks & wool, our materials are fuzz, fur,Muscle mascot arm -Laura foam & fleece. Patterns are drafted, fur fabric is cut, foam is sculpted, ears are placed and eyelids are sewn onto hand painted eyes. If a mascot is a big, muscular guy, those big muscles are created with fabric, and foam and all of it is sewn together.

The original plan was to design costumes for avant garde theater, thus the name, AvantGarb. Making mascots wasn’t part of the plan until a teensy cookie company called.

Anne & Matt sewing muppet fleece under the beach umbrelle

The teensy cookie company’s mascot appeared on the front page of the SF Chronicle when the giant food & dessert trade show rolled into town,

That cookie got me hooked on mascots. I changed the business plan. That was in 1986.

Hewlett-Packard Knight

The second mascot was for Hewlett Packard. 30 years later, we got another call for an HP mascot – this time a really fabulous Knight.

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…and don’t forget the shoes.

We’ve made several generations of TiVo mascots  On the outside, TiVo looks the same, but my, oh my has the interior structure changed. From basic PVC pipes to a sleek, light-weight aluminum structure that comes apart for shipping and clicks together when TiVo makes appearances. We call it mascotology.

AvantGarb  is one of just a handful of custom mascot-making companies. We’re headquartered in Indianapolis.

This is what some people have said:

TiVoSXSW“Ten years ago we searched for someone who could produce a high-quality, fun mascot.  The first TiVoGuy was born and 4 generations later, he (and his newer relatives) are still bringing joy to TV fans everywhere.  Nobody does smiles better than AvantGarb!”  Bard Williams, Director, Marketing, TiVo Inc.

“Jennifer and the rest of her “groovy” staff at AvantGarb have been a pleasure to work with over the years.  The quality, and service that goes with it can’t be matched in the industry.  Much love from Grand Rapids!” Rich Meyers, Director of Game Operations,

Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

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©Jennifer Smith 2017

Mascot Eyes

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Tasha&eye

We spend a lot of time focusing mascot eyes, so this article in the New York Times about eye contact with characters caught my eye. Here’s a quote from it:

“There’s the notion that your relationship with a brand should be like a relationship you have with a person,” said David Aaker, author of “Aaker on Branding” and vice chairman of Prophet, a global brand consultancy based in San Francisco. “A real friend looks you in the eye.”

Higby the Bear - eyes - Holy Innocents H.S.

At AvantGarb, we make mascots for big, big universities and teensy, weensy school districts. We meet with with professional teams and minor, minor minor league teams. We work with giant, worldwide, humungous corporations and very small start-ups. They all have one common characteristic. The love what they are a part of; be it a huge communications company, a small school or a little lip-balm start up.

GriffEye

They all truly want to connect.  They want to be part of the community. Of course, they want you to join their team, become a fan, purchase their product. In my experience, when a there is a pretty neat mascot in front of you, it’s worthwhile checking out the product, the team, the school, the event. They want to make eye contact.

BeanEyes

 Connect with the Mascot Mavens at AvantGarb

 

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National Mascot Association

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There are a lot of mascots running around, but there’s no central spot where mascot people can check in and come together…

….That is, until now! INTRODUCING

THE NATIONAL MASCOT ASSOCIATION

At AvantGarb, we are big fans of everything mascot. All mascots bring joy and curiosity whether they are totally fabulous, or a teensy bit ragged from age. Mascots create community for all who are near them.

As mascot makers, we like to connect with all of the people in mascotdom:

  • other mascot makers
  • mascot performers
  • designers
  • trainers – yes, really -get some training for your mascot!
  • the marketing people who have incredible ideas for characters.
  • The suppliers of the mascot stuff,
  • the people who dye the fabric,
  • the sewing machine guys,
  • the fabric & fuzz suppliers,
  • the foam suppliers
  • …and everyone who fills orders at McMaster-Carr.
  • the people who know where to get the props, Gameops.com, comes to mind,
  • the video people who catch the amazing mascot moments,
  • ….and the mascot fans.
Fuzzier Together – Safer Together.

Mascots are fun, but there are serious issues that need to be addressed within the mascot world. The most important issue is safety. The NMA is compiling  Mascot Safety Guidelines and Best Practices – for the performers, handlers, organizations, makers and planners.

JazzyJagKissCharging Ahead!

I hope you join as we bring the Association into being.

In 2018, we will gather, meet, chat, decide some stuff and put on little mascot shows.

…..and, well, it is a mascot organization…so there will be fuzz, foam and hilarity.

Everything changes when a mascot shows up because, when a mascot shows up, you know you’re going to have fun. Welcome to the National Mascot Association!

©Jennifer Smith 2017