mascot
π
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An IndieWeb mascot could offer a visual representation of the community, and create fun & welcoming visual explanations; a mushroom (π) has been proposed for the IndieWeb mascot.
Tracy Durnell drew up some initial mushroom mascot illustrations at IndieWeb Create Day 2021-10-09 (Open to suggestions and ideas of activities for a mushroom to do!), which had a positive reception by participants. There was also a suggestion to consider dropping a mushroom emoji π into social media profiles to indicate IndieWeb presence, solidarity, support.
Previously, at the 2021-04-21 Homebrew Website Club - Americas, there was some discussion of the value of a mascot for the Indie Web. Documenting and continuing to add thoughts here. Please vote for your preference, and/or add thoughts and comments! -- Tracy Durnell 2021-05-05
Brand Notes
- the IndieWeb represents multiple different elements at once: the community using the Indie Web, the tools that provide the infrastructure for the Indie Web, and the philosophy of the Indie Web
- visually, an Indie Web Camp logo already exists, featuring warm colors and geometric elements
Mascot Ideas
At the 2021-04-21 Homebrew Website Club - Americas, mushrooms and bees rose to the top as preferred mascot options.
Mushrooms
Metaphorically:
- mushrooms and mycelium are apt for the connective nature of the Indie Web - mycelium form vast networks under the forest floor, and although only the mushrooms are visible, the fungus organism spreads much farther and is vital ecologically
Benefits
- mushrooms have a great diversity in appearance, which complements the plurality principle and is anti-monoculture
- mushrooms are fruiting bodies, e.g. the fruits of our labors
Visually:
- mushrooms can be cute!
- mushrooms come in many shapes for visual variety
- mushrooms come in many colors, including red, orange, and yellow, to complement the existing Indie Web Camp logo
- π has an emoji
Considerations
- avoid drug and phallic associations in design
Interest
Add your +1 for interest in this topic:
- Jacky AlcinΓ©
- +1 Tantek Γelik
- +1 Tracy Durnell
- +1 Angelo Gladding
- +1 Chris Aldrich
- Add yourself here⦠(see this for more details)
Mushroom emoji meanings
From a handful of references:
A few meanings that seem positive or relatively harmless, in order of frequency/prominence in references:
- exciting, regain energy, e.g. power up mushroom in the Super Mario Bros (regain power over your online identity & data)
- psychedelic, something for the imagination, feel like a bit out of your mind (perhaps an encouragement to imagine & see things differently than the world of silos)
- nature, together with π² Evergreen Tree or π clover emoji to illustrate the forest (towards a sustainable web community)
- autumn/fall season, used with ππ fall leaves
- dark, damp places
Unfortunate possible meanings:
- something poisonous
Bees
Benefits
Metaphorically:
- honeybees work together to build something bigger - lots of individuals pitching in
- connects with the metaphor of a digital garden
- bees are essential to a thriving ecosystem
- honeycomb could visually represent building blocks
- honey lasts forever and is also delicious ;)
Visually:
- bees can be cute!
- honeybees are yellow and black, and can be visually represented with stylized shapes, to complement the style of the existing Indie Web Camp logo
- could also use hexagon shape of honeycomb to continue geometric theme
- Also has an emoji π
Considerations
- bee mascots and logos may be relatively common (e.g. Swarm)
- it should be a friendly bee, not a threatening wasp
Interest
Add your +1 for interest in this topic:
- +1 Anthony Ciccarello
- Add yourself here⦠(see this for more details)
Cats
cats - Very Internet and also cute
Benefits
- Cats are curious, an attribute present in the community
- Cats like to explore, just as many of our community members love to explore the net to find new websites
- Cats are whimsical (expressing the "have fun!" principle)
Drawbacks
- Cats already an unofficial mascot for the internet as a whole per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_and_the_Internet
ThoughtCatalog has described cats as the "unofficial mascot of the Internet".
- Thus not particularly unique or specific to the IndieWeb
Other Mascot Ideas
- Loqi - dinosaur - Loqi is not unique to the Indie Web however
- hermit crabs and turtles - carry their home around on their backs
- A leaf?
- Add your idea here...
See Also
- indieweb-style-guide
- press-kit
- earlier similar conceptual metaphor of web/internet growth as "fungal": https://twitter.com/Caterina/status/4852023167
- "@kevinmarks @plasticbaguk Things on the internet grow fungally, not virally. The metaphor is completely wrong." @Caterina October 14, 2009
- πΎ as an emoji "mascot" found in the wild: https://fosstodon.org/@governa/110555747307274639 perhaps a tie-in to retro or longevity?
- "#10ThingsILikeRightNow in no particular order1. #fediverse :fediverse:
2. #ThinkPad :thinkpad:
3. #Fedora :fedora:
4. #omglol :prami:
5. #halloumi π§
6. #retrogaming πΉοΈ
7. #indieweb πΎ
8. #haikuos :haiku:
9. #steamdeck :steamdeck:
10. #nextdns π‘οΈ" @governa June 16, 2023
- "#10ThingsILikeRightNow in no particular order1. #fediverse :fediverse: