The New Opera Mascot!

Jun 9, 2004

I'm starting my own campaign for a new Opera mascot. Linux has the penguin, BSD the daemon, Mozilla has Mozilla (so cute!), IE has the butterfly (MSN), and Firefox has... well, a fox. So I'm hereby campaigning for the puffin as official Opera mascot.

The puffin is a north Atlantic seabird whose habitat ranges from Maine, Newfoundland and Labrador in North America, to Iceland, and islands off the shores of the UK and Norway, the latter of which is where Opera is produced

Red seems to be the official colour of Opera, with it's bright red "O" as it's icon. Appropriately, the puffin's bill is multicoloured orange and red, while the rest of the bird is black and white. A touch of blazing colour on simplicity... sounds like Opera?

As well puffin is a very smart and curious bird, and will often take the time to flap over to any disturbance it hears nearby. Intelligence and curiosity are very good traits!

I've made up a nifty image for using in the campaign in two different sizes. I know probably nothing will come of it, but hey, I can always dream

Long live the Opera puffin!

Comments closed

Jun 10, 2004 - 10:39
# Comment by GreyWyvern

Here are some more Opera puffin images!

/img/opera/b600.jpg /img/opera/b400.jpg /img/opera/b200.jpg /img/opera/b100.jpg /img/opera/c400.jpg /img/opera/c200.jpg /img/opera/c100.jpg
Jun 10, 2004 - 10:51
# Comment by SeaKai
I wholeheartedly support this campaign. Long live the Opera Puffin !

Excellent initiative !
Jun 10, 2004 - 13:22
# Comment by GreyWyvern

Here's another set:

/img/opera/a100.jpg /img/opera/a200.jpg /img/opera/a400.jpg /img/opera/a600.jpg /img/opera/a1000.jpg
Jun 10, 2004 - 14:10
# Comment by GreyWyvern

And one last round for today:

/img/opera/d100.jpg /img/opera/d200.jpg /img/opera/d400.jpg /img/opera/d800.jpg
Jun 10, 2004 - 16:08
# Comment by GreyWyvern

Here are some high res transparent PNG's suitable for editing:

/img/opera/aFull.png /img/opera/dFull.png
Jun 10, 2004 - 18:55
# Comment by Phil
Nice mascot

note* It is more correct geographically and less ambiguous to speak of either the the islands off the shores of the British Isles, or preferably the islands off the shores of Britain and Ireland rather than "the islands off the shores of the UK". The UK being primarily a political entity rather than a geographic definition.
Jun 10, 2004 - 22:55
# Comment by GreyWyvern

What are you trying to do? Rain on my parade?

Puffins!
Jun 11, 2004 - 5:21
# Comment by Tarquin
Oops, did my pictures spark a campaign? Wish mine were as clear as the ones you got!

Anyway, you have my backing (but I gess you already knew that) with two reservations;

1. Puffins may not be related to penguins, but bird for bird, people (who do not know any better) may associate it with the linux penguin.

2.I like the existing icon (which must be retained) because it's nickname is "The Big O" - since Opera 3 - and I like the association of Opera == "The Big O". It is quite fitting ... http://www.google.com/search?q=%22the+big+o%22+orgasm

Feel free to ignore me
Jun 12, 2004 - 9:59
# Comment by akh
I like the idea!
Jun 12, 2004 - 11:57
# Comment by SeaKai
I've made a nice wallpaper to support the Puffin campaign !
Jun 14, 2004 - 18:31
# Comment by hpearce
Puffins are cool. They even have some in Maine.

Long live the Opera puffin !
Jun 15, 2004 - 1:34
# Comment by Robin
I've never seen a puffin, but it looks really cool. So I support you guys.
Jun 18, 2004 - 9:12
# Comment by RichTF

Yeah, it's be nice for Opera to have a cutesy mascot, and the puffin idea sounds great!

Now, how about suggestions for its name...? =)

Something with a cheap-pun on the Opera/opera distinction could be good. Anyone know of any opera singers/musicians that have puffin-like qualities?

Or it could be called Presto I s'pose, as "Presto the puffin" has a nice ring to it. Or would that be too confusing?
Jun 21, 2004 - 5:36
# Comment by Jarrah
Well, I think a mascot is a good idea. Having something with a splash of colour is also a good idea.

But I don't like the puffin idea. Regardless of whether it is smart, it looks stupid and pitiful. It reminds me of the Dodo, renowned for being both stupid and extinct.

If you want a splash of colour, I think a tucan is a better bird. Otherwise a really fast bird, possibly a falcon - since Opera is supposed to be fast. Birds of prey also look smarter and more regal.
Jun 21, 2004 - 8:02
# Comment by GreyWyvern

I think you're applying a little too much thought to the puffin on first glance. Looks like the dodo? Have you ever seen pictures of actual puffins, not just the heads I used in these graphics? They look nothing like dodos. In fact, they look more like a colourful cross between a penguin and a seagull.

Toucan eh? So we should use cereal mascots now? And birds of prey are tired metaphors, as well as not conveying the image Opera is trying to build for itself.

No, you still haven't convinced me that puffins aren't the best choice
Jun 26, 2004 - 17:54
# Comment by grizzbear

Great Idea, great picture!
Jun 27, 2004 - 13:41
# Comment by Pete (page-down.org)
Hey! Why not? =) It's good looking bird.
Jun 27, 2004 - 19:59
# Comment by Jim D

I agree with RichTF. The puffin is a stupid looking bird. It would also invite the nickname for Opera of:

"huffin and puffin", and who needs that?

The Mexican flag has an eagle in flight with a snake in its talons. So how about a hawk or eagle in flight with Bill Gates in its talons?
Jun 27, 2004 - 22:03
# Comment by GreyWyvern

Bird of prey mascots are overrated. Opera isn't a government or a sports team.

Besides, nicknames like "huffin and puffin" are usually earned because there exists some truth in it. With Opera's speed, I don't think there's any chance of that.

Ta ra!
Jun 27, 2004 - 22:40
# Comment by Jim D

GreyWyvern said:

Bird of prey mascots are overrated. Opera isn't a government or a sports team.

Besides, nicknames like "huffin and puffin" are usually earned because there exists some truth in it. With Opera's speed, I don't think there's any chance of that. Ta ra!

Perhaps you're right about the bird of prey. But I think you're being very optimistic regarding the "huffin and puffin" bit!

So here's another idea. What about a red-dressed Flamenco Dancer! That would be exciting, and different from the typical bird or little animal. Then, we could name her Carmen! This would make the link between "Opera" and "opera" quite nicely, and would also show an International flavour, or an EU flavour, since both Norway and Spain are part thereof!

Then, Opera might put a link on its own Site which, if clicked, could play music from Bizet's opera! Now that would be really neat! MS sure could't top that!

What do you think?
Jun 28, 2004 - 8:14
# Comment by GreyWyvern

Heh, maybe you've got something there. But I'm touting one mascot at a time. Maybe if the Opera execs don't go for puffins, they'll go for flamenco dancers.

Maybe...
Jun 28, 2004 - 13:42
# Comment by RichTF
You mean you agree with Jarrah...? -- I *like* the puffin idea! =)
Jul 10, 2004 - 1:21
# Comment by Mirek
Congratulate ! Pretty ideal and pretty mascot ! Appeal to..

Long live the Opera puffin!

mir.bohem - cz- bohemie
Jul 19, 2004 - 16:42
# Comment by drjamez
... he looks so sad... why is he sad.
Aug 05, 2004 - 21:15
# Comment by lukefab
A hummingbird would be better : small, light, very fast and colorful.
Aug 06, 2004 - 5:44
# Comment by Anonymous
Please tell me what I need to do in order to have as much free time as you do.
Aug 24, 2004 - 6:51
# Comment by Chabbu

I like the Puffin too! I've never been able to figure out why Opera and Overstock.com haven't sued eachother over the big red "O"!
Aug 25, 2004 - 6:38
# Comment by Steffen Glückselig

How about a 'get opera'-button like the one for firefox (e.g. at the right side of http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200408/web_development_mistakes/ )?

That would be gross!

best
Aug 25, 2004 - 10:12
# Comment by Galley
WooHoo!
Oct 31, 2004 - 16:11
# Comment by IceArdor

wow, what a beautiful beak he has... it really gives a name to opera, though somehow i dont think the two mix very well. Opera never has had a mascot and will leave it without a mascot most likely.

Great Job!

I'd like to see the opera puffin made into some 88x31 buttons, 234x60 half-banners, or 468x60 full-banners sometime soon!
Nov 10, 2004 - 3:43
# Comment by Friedrich
Would work nicely with Hugin & Munin

Friedrich
Nov 23, 2004 - 13:10
# Comment by porneL
Looks sad.

I think mascot should look more happy or even entusiastic. Linux penguin is just after a good meal, BSD devil has devilish smile (I'll ignore firefox at this time )

BTW: Firefox is another name for Red Panda.
Jan 13, 2005 - 13:16
# Comment by TheMajor

I like the puffin! Should look a bit happier though!
Jan 16, 2005 - 0:08
# Comment by Kiddalee

I think it's a great idea. I like the Puffin, but there are more possibilities. I'll suggest the Narwhal just to put it up in the air. It's definately tied to Norway. It lives in the arctic ocean and Vikings used to sell narwhal tusks to the rest of Europe saying they were unicorn horns (and when you look at the true definition of a unicorn, the narwhal actually fits). With it's single horn, a unicorn is a symbol of power, something that Opera not only has but gives in great quantities to the user. With it's power, it is a symbol of authority, and with Opera's knowledge and proper use of web standards, I'd say they have some pretty well grounded authority on the topic. The creature is also said to have the ability to cleanse evil, which would make it a prime enemy of Microsoft, no?