National University wanted to launch a mascot to engage students and build a united sense of belonging to the school. The goal was to create an immediately recognizable mascot who would represent NU’s brand personality and translate to both digital illustration and physical costume.
In exploring ideas with the creative team, we landed on Navi the Navigator, a peregrine falcon who supports students in navigating their education and charting a course to their futures. Navi is also a reference to NU’s founder Captain Chigos, who was a Navy navigator, and NU’s old logo that featured a thunderbird.
From there, I partnered with the Creative Director and a freelance illustrator to develop a library of Navi illustrations, mascot brand guidelines, swag, and comics that have been used on organic social.
Illustration: MIGHTYSHORT
Creative Direction: Joseph Gerard Seaman and Kristen Yeung