Client: Kissimmee Elementary School
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Project: Mascot and Logo Redesign
Background
Kissimmee Elementary School, located in the heart of Kissimmee, Florida, serves a vibrant community characterized by diversity and strong local pride. With a student body of over 600 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, the school is known for its commitment to excellence in education and community involvement. As part of a broader initiative to update its visual identity and strengthen its brand presence within the community, Kissimmee Elementary approached our agency to create a new mascot logo that would resonate with current students and alumni while welcoming prospective families to a modernized educational environment.
Objectives
The primary goal of introducing a new mascot logo for Kissimmee Elementary was to:
- Boost School Spirit: Introducing a mascot that the students could identify with and rally around during school events and sports.
- Enhance Community Engagement: Adopting a logo that resonates well with local values and culture will strengthen the bond between the school and the community.
- Modernize Brand Identity: To update the school’s visual representation in all forms of communication, aligning it with current design trends while retaining a sense of tradition.
Research and Community Insight
Initial research involved understanding the demographics of Kissimmee, which is known for its young, dynamic population and cultural diversity. The school is located near major attractions and is part of a community that highly values education and community involvement.
Engagement sessions were held with various stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and local business owners, to gather insights on what the school symbolized to them and what they envisioned for a new mascot. The bear was chosen for its strength, courage, and friendliness, which align well with Kissimmee Elementary’s values.
Design Process
The design process was spearheaded by an award-winning design team known for their work in educational settings. Key steps included:
- Concept Development: Leveraging insights from the community engagement sessions to sketch initial concepts.
- Feedback Loops: Present these concepts to stakeholders and refine them based on feedback.
- Finalization: Choosing the best design represents the school’s spirit and values.
The new mascot features a bear cub wearing a baseball cap, which adds a playful, approachable feel and nods to the school’s active participation in sports. Blue and red were chosen to maintain consistency with school colors, ensuring continuity and recognition.
Implementation
The new mascot was integrated across various platforms:
- Uniforms: Both sports and academic uniforms featured the new mascot.
- School Merchandise: School bags, notebooks, and water bottles.
- Digital Presence: Update across all digital platforms, including the school website and social media.
Impact
The introduction of the new mascot has had a profound impact:
- Increased Engagement: There has been a noticeable increase in participation at school events and extracurricular activities.
- Positive Feedback: Post-implementation surveys significantly improved school pride among students and parents.
- Community Support: Local businesses have begun sponsoring events, attracted by the new mascot’s renewed vigor.
Conclusion
The new bear cub mascot for Kissimmee Elementary has successfully met its objectives by fostering a sense of pride and unity among the students and the wider community. It is a testament to the school’s commitment to maintaining a dynamic, inclusive, and spirited educational environment. This case study exemplifies how thoughtful, community-centered branding can rejuvenate a school’s identity and strengthen its connection with the community it serves.