A great school mascot is more than a costume—it’s a rally cry, a walking selfie station, and a symbol that unites your community. But let’s face it: many mascots were born in a different era, long before social media, scalable logos, or deep conversations about inclusivity.
Does your school mascot still make the grade? If not, here are five trends shaping the future of mascot design.
Your detailed mascot logo might look great on a jersey, but how does it look as a Facebook profile picture? Embroidered on a polo shirt? Screenprinted on a water bottle?
Modern mascots are built for digital-first versatility. They look sharp at any size and hold up across platforms. If your mascot is overly detailed, pixelated, or awkward online, it might be time for a school mascot redesign.
Not ready for a complete overhaul? A digital-friendly mascot refresh might be enough. A skilled graphic designer can update your existing artwork into scalable formats so you can actually use it.
Schools across the country are retiring mascots that no longer reflect their values—especially those with Native American imagery or aggressive, outdated symbolism. The goal? To create a welcoming, respectful environment for every student.
Of course, change is rarely simple. Long-time fans may love the tradition and history of your mascot, while others see an opportunity for progress. Our advice: listen deeply. What do people love about the current design? Where are they open to evolution?
Inclusive mascot design starts with inclusive conversations. Engaging students, families, alums, and staff in the process builds buy-in and ensures your new mascot feels like yours, not just a branding update. A culturally sensitive school mascot demonstrates to students that all identities are valued.
Not every school wants a snarling beast. More schools are choosing mascots with charm—characters that reflect friendliness, humor, or creativity. Think beyond high school sports and warrior tropes: what makes your school truly unique?
Whether it’s a friendly fox or a shining lightbulb, alignment with school identity and branding turns your mascot into a living brand ambassador.
Many schools are now creating mascots with full personalities—names, backstories, even ties to school history or local landmarks. A mascot isn’t just a logo anymore—it’s a character students can relate to, rally behind, and maybe even write about in English class.
The costume? Just one part of the puzzle. The real power is in the personality. Mascot design is now more about the brand identity than just the suit. The logo, the voice, the tone—how will your mascot show up in digital spaces and school communications?
Mascots are being built to move—literally and digitally. Whether it’s a costume that’s easier to wear and dance in (and doesn’t smell like 20 years of stale nacho cheese) or a character that works as an animated GIF or app avatar, movement matters.
Think about your favorite team mascots: you’re not picturing a logo—you’re picturing a character. Mascots that come to life in video, reels, and halftime shows amplify energy and engagement across platforms.
In 2025, school mascots are moving to cleaner, bolder designs. Think memorable and usable—on everything from spirit wear to Instagram stickers.
That means:
Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. It means timeless, flexible, and ready for action.
What’s out in 2025?
For years, schools and teams lovingly borrowed from their favorite pro sports brands — a tweak here, a color swap there. But now? It’s time to put down the tracing paper and pick up a fresh brush.
Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s what we’re trying to teach our students: creativity over copycats, and integrity over imitation.
Let’s lead by example — with logos that are original, meaningful, and 100% ours.
AI can be a fun, creative jumpstart, offering quick sketches and design iterations. But when it comes to your final mascot design, be careful.
Most AI-generated images can’t be trademarked, which means you can’t truly own them. You may not be able to sell your mascot as merchandise, use it in your school’s branding system, or protect it from lookalikes. Worse, you could be hit with a trademark claim down the line.
Use AI for brainstorming. Play, explore, imagine. But when it’s time to commit, bring in a human designer who can create something original, adaptable, and legally yours.
Additionally, pause before you use AI to add brand elements to your mascot.
You’re the East High Eagles? AI will absolutely give you an eagle in a jersey playing hockey, or cheering and holding pom-poms.
But here’s the thing: AI doesn’t care about brand consistency.
It won’t follow your style guide, your color palette, or your district’s tone of voice. What you’ll get is a quick visual, not a cohesive brand asset.
If you’re building a mascot to lead your brand—not just decorate it—let a real designer translate your identity into something consistent and on-brand.
School mascot redesigns can stir up big feelings. Some communities cling tightly to the design they’ve known for decades. That resistance might sound like:
“Why are we spending money on this?”
“I don’t see what’s wrong with what we have.”
“But we just updated all our jerseys!”
And those feelings are valid. For many staff, students, and alums, a mascot isn’t just a graphic—it’s a memory. A tradition. A presence in pep rallies, posters, and brand templates they’ve helped shape.
The key? Invite your people into the process.
From kickoff to rollout, build trust through clear and transparent communication. Acknowledge what’s being left behind—and paint a compelling picture of what’s ahead. Explain why a strong brand is important, and that all brands make updates throughout the years.
When people feel heard and included, even reluctant voices can become proud advocates of your new, modern school branding. It’s about giving people a voice throughout the process, not waiting for them to be upset after the fact.
A school mascot redesign isn’t just about changing a costume or updating a logo. It’s about aligning your brand and visual identity with your values, your mission, and the community you serve.
Whether you’re embracing inclusive mascot design, adapting for digital platforms, or retiring outdated imagery, one thing is clear: a thoughtful mascot redesign can boost school spirit, foster a sense of belonging, and unify your school brand across every platform and generation.
And when it’s done right?
Your mascot won’t just represent your school.
It’ll help lead it.
At CEL Marketing, we’ve helped schools and organizations across Minnesota and beyond take their mascots from outdated to outstanding. Whether you’re looking for a digital-friendly mascot refresh, a full school mascot redesign, or just a second opinion, we’ve got you.
Need a complete rebrand? We’re in.
Just want a brand audit? We’ll be the ones (gently) telling your team, “Yep… it’s time.”
Let’s create a mascot that reflects your values, inspires your community, and looks great on everything from hoodies to highlight reels.
Published on: July 8, 2025
