When it comes to mascots, Student Job Search’s big red exclamation mark (suitably named Mark) is a unique creation.
With the first iteration of our treasured mascot reaching retirement age, Whitecliffe College student Sophie Ivory has been hard at work all summer creating Mark 2.0 - a more practical, sustainable, and comfortable mascot costume suitable for regular use at events.
We spoke to Sophie about why she put her hand up for the project, how it felt to be selected, and how it is going.
Q: What made you put your hand up to make the new Mark?
A: “It’s just a really exciting opportunity. I really like that Student Job Search pitched it to students and is giving students an opportunity – it really aligns with the organisation’s value and brand.
“I thought it sounded like a fun project. I haven’t designed a mascot before, so it was a bit of a challenge having to think outside the box. I also really liked that it’s a real-life brief which was really clear and concise. It’s a good way to get some more real-world experience.”
Q: Can you talk us through your process when coming up with your pitch?
A: “For me, as mentioned in the brief as well, the wearability of the mascot outfit and comfort for the wearer were key considerations. I got into the old version and it’s not awesome to be in – I really wanted to make sure that I would be comfortable wearing it. That meant lots of air flow – part of the design is an optional open top, not having the front too close to your face, and good visibility.
“The modular component really spoke to me as well. It was good fun trying to find a product that would allow easy pack down, easy assembly. I’ve ended up using Autex which is a building product, but really widely used in education. It’s largely recyclable polyester and is fully recyclable at the end of life. It’s non-toxic and I’m really happy to be using it for this.”
Q: How is the project going so far?
A: “I think it’s going pretty well! A few weeks ago, a lot of work was put into the design for the main part of the body, which is being manufactured by Autex. I had to create a detailed design file for them. That was all locked and loaded before Christmas.
“I’m working on the point of the exclamation mark, so designing a spherical shape and working out how it will go together and fit on the body as part of the costume. A big part of the question is how that’s suspended.”
Q: What does this opportunity mean to you?
A: “It means a lot, actually. It’s awesome to be working on a professional design project and directly use the skills that I’ve improved and learned through my study at Whitecliffe. It’s really nice to have a project that’s all my own from start to finish and build my portfolio in a way that isn’t just doing my own projects but is helping someone else in a professional capacity.”
Q: What led you to studying a Certificate in Apparel and Fashion Technology at Whitecliffe?
A: “It was a bit of a career transition for me. I came here from a project management background in construction and infrastructure. My contract was coming to an end and I’d always loved sewing and fashion – I'd been sewing my own clothes for year – so with the market slowing down I thought this was as good a time as any to take a year out and pursue something I’ve always been interested in.
“I was really interested in Whitecliffe College because I wanted a hands-on course to improve my pattern making skills and garment construction.”
Q: Has it lived up to those expectations?
A: “It has; it’s been wonderful. We’re pattern making and sewing all day, every day. There is quite a bit of design work in there, but the real focus is on improving those technical skills.”