The new face of Faculty I
The Faculty of Computer Science and Applications (Faculty 1) at Furtwangen University has gained a new mascot as part of a creative competition with the Graphic Design Vocational College at Gertrud Luckner Gewerbeschule.
With proxi, a clever little bat from the Black Forest, the faculty has a likeable figurehead that will be used at trade fairs, information days, promotional items and perhaps even as a soft toy.
The idea came about as part of a project collaboration with the two BK design classes BKGD1 and BKGD2. The students have developed imaginative designs for a new mascot that fits both the region and the digital orientation of the faculty.
A strong field of participants and a well-deserved first place
In the end, the character design by Hannah Reith (BKGD2) won over the jury. Her character “proxi” impressed with its charm, clarity and recognition value and was unanimously voted first place by the jury, consisting of Prof. Christoph Müller (Computer Graphics) and Susanne Matthes (Faculty Marketing). Hannah was awarded €200 in prize money for her achievement.
Just behind her, the IT-savvy Black Forest wolf “Newo” by Amelie Fraider and the network-savvy grasshopper “SmITy” by Jana Flamm took second and third place.
The target group also had a say − a live vote was held in a Mentimeter survey among the students in the design classes and the results were directly incorporated into the decision.
A big thank you goes out to the students of the Gertrud Luckner Gewerbeschule, who impressed us with their creativity, enthusiasm and great design skills. We would also like to thank the supervising teachers Olga Betermieux (free drawing) and Nils Kreuter (media technology) for their dedicated support of the project.
Exactly how proxi will be used in the future is currently being planned − but one thing is already clear − this fantastic mascot has laid a strong foundation for a long-term visual identity for the faculty.
We would like to congratulate all participants, and especially Hannah Reith, on this successful competition!
