Daejeon Metropolitan City is making strides in its preparations for upcoming sporting events with the initial unveiling of vibrant and dynamic sports mascots. These characters are the result of an innovative industry-academia collaboration, the '2025 Dream Seed Family Sports Design Industry-Academia Cooperation Project,' which pairs the creative talents of university students with the city's promotional needs. The first glimpse of these designs was offered during a progress report meeting held on Tuesday, April 29th, at the Daejeon-Sejong Tourism Enterprise Support Center.

The project has engaged design students from two prominent local institutions: the Department of Convergence Design at Hannam University and the Department of Visual Communication Design at Mokwon University. Their task was to reimagine Daejeon's beloved mascot, 'Dream Dol-i,' and its extended 'Dream Seed Family' in a sporting context. The initial designs presented at the progress report showcased a thoughtful integration of athletic themes, with each character adorned in attire and exhibiting poses characteristic of various sports. This approach aims to inject a sense of energy and approachability, making the mascots relatable and appealing to a broad audience.

The progress report served as a crucial platform for constructive feedback. Experts in design, sports marketing, and city branding were present to offer their insights and suggestions to the student designers. This real-time interaction allowed for immediate consideration of practical implications and aesthetic enhancements, ensuring that the final iterations will be both visually compelling and functionally effective for their intended purposes.

Daejeon City has outlined a strategic roadmap for the utilization of these new sports mascots. Following the final selection of designs at the project's concluding presentation in June, the characters are slated to play a prominent role in the promotion of major sporting events hosted by the city. These include the prestigious National Sports Festival and the inclusive National Lifestyle Sports Festival, both of which are expected to draw significant attention and participation. Beyond these flagship events, the mascots will also be integrated into the city's broader communication strategy, featuring prominently on social media platforms, official websites, and various forms of online content. This multi-channel deployment aims to maximize their visibility and impact, fostering a stronger connection between the city, its sporting initiatives, and the public.

The academic supervisors of the project have lauded the collaborative spirit and dedication exhibited by the participating students. Professor Lee Hye-soo from Hannam University highlighted the unique value of students from different institutions working together towards a common civic goal. She expressed her confidence in the students' ability to further refine their designs in the remaining project timeline.

Echoing this sentiment, Jung Tae-young, the Director of Daejeon Metropolitan City's Sports and Health Bureau, conveyed his enthusiasm for the students' innovative contributions. He noted the originality and practicality of their ideas, expressing optimism that the resulting sports characters would significantly elevate the brand image of Daejeon's sporting endeavors.

The '2025 Dream Seed Family Sports Design Industry-Academia Cooperation Project' was officially launched in March with an initial briefing session. This initiative is being recognized as a successful model for blending practical, hands-on design education with the real-world demands of public sector marketing. By providing students with the opportunity to contribute to a significant civic project, the collaboration offers invaluable experience and enhances their professional development while simultaneously providing the city with fresh and engaging promotional assets. The project underscores the potential of synergistic partnerships between academic institutions and local government in fostering creativity and achieving tangible public benefits.