Monday, August 1, 2011

Meet Kiku: My Entry for Anime World Chicago's Mascot Design Contest

Anime World Chicago, a brand-spankin' new anime convention premiering August 19th, held a contest to design the convention's mascot for next year.  This was my entry.  I gave her the name "Kiku," the Japanese word for Chrysanthemum, as it is the official flower of Chicago.  I tried to carry the chrysanthemum motif across in the mini-kimono print, used it to replace the star in the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star logo, mimicked the shape of the petals in her hair style (evident in the puff/tuft and her bangs), and of course, added the actual flower tucked behind her ear :)

I shortened and stylized the kimono a little bit and added the skinny jeans and Chucks in an attempt to blend together traditional Japanese and modern American styles.  As an additional nod to Chicago, I used the city's flag design in Kiku's obi (the wide belt), and repeated the 6-point stars from the flag in her hair accessories. 

In the end I didn't win.  Honestly, I would have been more surprised if I had.  I really didn't expect to win because I didn't get a chance to work on the design or even come up with a concept until the very last minute.  As in, mere hours before the deadline.  In fact, in order to be able to submit a design at all, I had to send it in unfinished (bleh, I'm embarrassed, hahaha).  The version that the judges received had flat colors.  I only added in the gradients and the shading later on for my own satisfaction, though I am entertaining the idea of further polishing it up just for kicks.

If I had more time to work on the design, I would have come up with a stronger concept and more dynamic pose.  Eh well.  At least I got another drawing done!
Congratulations to the contest winners!

 

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