UW-Green Bay unveils new Phlash caricature; items now available at The Phoenix Bookstore

Phlashing the Phoenix

Phlash—at least cartoon Phlash—has taken on the characteristics of a Fighting Phoenix… tough, tenacious, and proud! Katie Stephenson ‘2020 (Design Arts) created the new artwork with some direction from Green Bay Athletics, The Phoenix Bookstore, Marketing and University Communication and campus leadership.

Stephenson was a graphics design assistant for the Office of Marketing and University Communication when she was given the assignment in spring of 2020 to create a caricature of the Phlash mascot to be used for new merchandise.

“My goal was to give something both adults and kids could connect to and take pride in while supporting our school and athletics at UW-Green Bay,” said Stephenson. “I like that it is more modern and representative of our mascot. Phlash is fun, sparky, and unique. This mascot illustration is representative of that and I hope it gives something people can really connect with.”

Katie Stephenson

Stephenson’s inspiration was from her personal experience in Athletics (Swimming and Diving) and the embodiment of Phlash’s personality.

“Phlash has some really great characteristics that draw people in and to our athletic events. I tried to embody that in the illustration.”

Stephenson is ecstatic to see her work around campus.

“There is no better feeling than seeing all my work in public! Especially with this project, it brought it to a whole other level when I saw it being used all over campus. It’s my favorite part of the job, I get to take pride in the work that I put into the project once I see it in public. Each time I see this project I am reminded of how nervous I was taking it on but also how fun and challenging it was to make along the way!”

She said she was so engaged in the process, that she couldn’t stay away from the marketing office until it was completed.

“It was an absolute blast! My supervisor and others were extremely kind and patient. I’m sure after my first extremely rough few sketches they were just as nervous as I was. But half way through after a lot of editing and refinement we could all look back and admire the process and maybe giggle at the first few rough drawings.”

The project also helped Stephenson with her professional portfolio, and landing her first job, right out of college, as a designer for American Tent.

“While my portfolio is very well rounded with many projects from my classes this was my star project. I have gotten some great feedback on it, and someone took special notice in it and now I have my first job working for a great local company.”

The campus also used the new Phlash with a mask as its campaign graphic to fight COVID-19 on campus this year.

New Phlash items now available at the The Phoenix Bookstore include sweatshirts and T-shirts. On order are:

• Onesie
• Standard hat and visor
• Toddler t-shirt and long sleeved – Green
• Youth long-sleeved t-shirt- Green
• Adult long-sleeved- Black
• Window cling-bust
• Stuffed animal

Story written by Sue Bodilly and Charlotte Berg, Marketing and University Communication intern