Research the history of the school and area. Brainstorm ideas that connect the history of your school to potential mascots. Learn about the surrounding area. As an example, the University of Maryland decided on a diamondback terrapin as it was Maryland's state reptile. Come up with ideas that reflect the area and its history. The University of Chicago's mascot, the Phoenix, refers to the gigantic Chicago fire of 1871, and the rebirth of the city as it rebuilt itself. Take ideas from your school and community history to formulate concepts.
Draw your ideas. Visualizing and sketching ideas help narrow concepts. Decide on the mascot's general appearance. If it's an animal, figure out the emotive qualities of the creature. Mascots can be friendly and comical or aggressive and ferocious. Associate the emotion of the mascot to the attitude of the school. The University of California Santa Cruz decided on a banana slug for two reasons. The slug was a common feature in the wilderness, and the students saw it as an ironic response to the fierce athletic competition at American colleges. Drawing can be done in a sketchbook or by using a computer drawing tablet and a drawing program. Check the resources link for free drawing programs.
Color and expand on your ideas. Pick colors that match the ones associated with your school or neighborhood. Use strong and bold colors to enrich and bring out the features of the mascot. Try a variety of color patterns to see what works best. If the mascot is going on banners or flags, cut the drawings and place them on colored backgrounds to match the banner color that will look best with your mascot.
Refine your mascot. Clean up your design. Eliminate parts that aren't necessary to the mascot. Simplify your mascot if it begins to look visually busy. Too many additions can distract the viewer from identifying with the central theme of the mascot. Decide on a stylized or realistic approach to your mascot. Depending on the idea you are focusing on, your mascot may be better with a more exaggerated look. The University of Ohio State uses a buckeye. A stylized appearance was used, as a realistic nut logo might not resonate much emotion.
Avoid potentially offensive mascots. Think about the historical context of your ideas. Some characters might seem offensive to minority groups. The University of Mississippi rid themselves of the mascot "Colonel Reb" in 2003 because of its slavery undertones. Bypass references to Native Americans as some find the imagery disrespectful. In 2007 the University of Illinois got rid of their mascot, "Chief Illiniwek," because of those very reasons.
Discuss your concept with a friend or colleague. Their thoughts will help offer a fresh prospective on what you have created. Relate your ideas on why you implemented certain features to your creation. Be receptive and consider changes if they feel some aspects do not reflect the school or student body.