Update:October 9, 2024

"Let's Create Mascot Characters for the Future Sapporo" Exchange Project

As part of its exchange programs with other cities, the City of Sapporo has launched a new program, the "Let’s Create Mascot Characters for the Future Sapporo" Project, in partnership with its fellow UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts, Cali (Colombia). 

This is an exchange program in which children learn about partner cities and design (draw a picture) a mascot character based on the city’s characteristics. The submitted design will then be 3D-animated by Sapporo’s professionals! The final product will be a short computer graphics (CG) video of the characters interacting with each other in the future Sapporo.

This program strives to encourage children to reaffirm and discover things about their city as well as provide an opportunity to learn about exchange cities, fostering a sense of internationalism by understanding the differences between cities. In addition, it also aims to arouse interest among youth in media arts by recreating participants’ drawings through 3D CG.

Project Overview

The children will first discuss the features and characteristics of their city, asking themselves questions such as "What are the characteristics, strengths, initiatives, and heritage of my city?" and "Why are they important to my city?" They will then prepare a list of up to 10 keywords about their city and accompanying descriptions and visuals to exchange with their partner city.

After the children receive the keywords from their partner city, they will imagine what kind of city their partner city is. Based on the submitted keywords and their own research, the children will create a mascot character for their partner city. They will also prepare character details such as its name, concept, characteristics, and personality. The children will then submit their designs to the City of Sapporo for animation professionals to convert them into 3D CG.

After the rendering of the 3D animation has been completed, the City of Sapporo will send the video to both participating cities. Through a message, the children will exchange their thoughts on participating in the project and what they have come to think of each other's cities. 

The final results of this project are planned to be exhibited at the 2025 edition of the Sapporo Parallel Museum.

Updates coming soon!