In February 2022 I joined the Business Services team at UNC Charlotte and became the "brand mom" for the illustrated Norm, a trademarked cartoon version of the University's mascot. I worked closely with the Licensing Program Manager and Director of Marketing to ensure that uses of the cartoon Norm met brand standards.
Departments across campus would request versions of Norm for digital and print communications, from Commencement reminders for students to HR onboarding for new employees. My job was to create a version that met their needs while keeping the essence of the trademark intact.
Managing Norm's recreation included making edits to designs made by third parties, such as the line of BBQ sauces created by , a local vendor owned by a Charlotte alumnus
Some versions of Norm required me to draw a lot of new forms, when the design required more than his original poses. In the Clash of the Carolinas souvenir cup sold at Forty-Niners home games, he leaves through the cup wrap from a football field. In a digital ad for a VR experience of campus, he wears a headset while wielding two VR controllers.
