Mascot, with its vibrant illustration and rich meaning, is a distinctive attribution in human culture. It is a way to reflect the memory of traditional culture, communicate the energy of vibrant lives and imagine the beautiful feature. The Expo mascot, one of the major elements of the Expo image, is a significant media to promote the theme and idea of the Expo to the ordinary citizens, especially children and teenagers.

Invite Broadly and Select Fairly

When it was 1200 days before the opening ceremony of Expo Shanghai, the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination announced to collect mascot designs for Expo Shanghai publicly and globally. The application started on January 17, 2007 and will end on May 31, 2007.

The organizers noted that they intentionally announced the event when it was 1200 days before the opening ceremony, which reflected the organizers' genuineness in welcoming public attention to Expo Shanghai. The collection of mascot would also help promoting the Expo idea of "understanding, communication, gathering and co-operation" to the world and the Expo theme of "Better City, Better Life."

Much Attention to the Mascot

Since the day of the announcement, the mascot collection office of Expo Shanghai set up a 24-hour hotline with experts to answer mascot related questions from mascot applicants. Only a week after the announcement, the hotline has become really hot and more than 20 applicants have been received from various places in the world.

Fashionable Innovations with Chinese Attributions

In terms of the mascot design, the organizers noted that applicants could illustrate the design images through single frame or multi-frame pictures comprised of various situations, poses and colors. In terms of the expressing methods and techniques, the applicants should consider meeting the requirements of animations and 3-D in order to promote through 2-D, 3-D and electric media. In terms of the contents, the applicants should consider combining Chinese culture with the theme of Expo Shanghai as well as matching the "fashion" of Shanghai as an international metropolitan. However, fashionable does not equal to wiping out traditions. The organizers pointed out that many traditional Chinese elements could be modernized into popular art forms with proper transformation.

Multi-values for Multi-demands

The mascot, as a carrier of great expectations for the World Expo, contains rich cultural values and its extended products are also worth collecting. The plans for the continuous use of the mascot of Expo Shanghai will also become a highlight. The organizers hope to learn from precious experiences from previous Expos and produce various extended products including souvenirs and toys based utilizing innovative technologies and the principle of multi-elements in order to meet diversified demands of various groups.

The mascot for Expo Shanghai is expected to launch by the end of this year. Many large events including the Expo Mascot Expert Forum are expected to launch before that. Moreover, the organizers will also start a series of rich promotion events that welcome the public participation.

The Mascot Collection office of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China

Address: The World Expo Mansion, No. 3588, Pudong Rd. (S) Shanghai, China

Zip code: 200125

Tel: +86-21-22060150 (Mascot Collection Office)