An icon deserves a better character.
The existing brown chimney mascot is the problem this study starts with. First, why it falls short. Then, a new creative brief and three EA character proposals.
Independent Concept Study — not commissioned by Battersea Power Station.
EA’s interpretation and proposed creative work. Not implemented or audience-tested; no measured client outcomes are claimed.
The brown chimney mascot above is the starting point.
The supplied reference calls it “the cutest chimney in town”. EA’s critique is of that specific costume: the brown body, white chimney top and simplified face pictured above.
EA’s design judgement: the supplied mascot is ugly and unimaginative. Its heavy brown silhouette and plain white cap flatten an extraordinary building into an awkward character. The chimney supplies a literal connection; it does little to communicate why this place matters or how a visitor should feel about it.
The problem is the gap between recognisable architecture and meaningful character design. A costume can resemble part of a building and still fail to express its identity. That is the failure this study addresses.
Recognising a chimney is not feeling a connection.
A visitor should be able to sense a character’s warmth, purpose and personality without reading an explanation. In EA’s reading, the current reference offers a shape before it offers a reason to care. Its lack of a compelling emotional link makes the design feel arbitrary.
This is a critique of the supplied design, not a survey of visitor opinion. Appearance, recognition and approachability should be tested separately. An unusual character can become a strong brand asset; prettiness alone is not the objective.
From a piece of the building to the energy of the place.
The design pathway is simple: power station → energy → warmth, movement and light → character. Begin with what the place can mean to a visitor, then give that meaning a visible personality.
The brief is to make that character welcoming, distinctive and recognisably Battersea. Ember, Pulse and Glow explore the emotional direction. A next design pass should build in the four-chimney rhythm or other architectural details so the characters belong specifically to this landmark.
Three alternatives. One clearer idea.
These are EA’s proposed alternatives to the brown chimney mascot shown at the start. Each begins with a quality the place could express: warmth, momentum or light.
EA PROPOSALS — EMBER / PULSE / GLOW
Ember
A flame character built around welcome and warmth. Ember translates the idea of energy into a soft, expressive figure; costume materials and proportions would need testing to keep the effect friendly.
Pulse
A bolt character built around movement and momentum. Pulse could connect wayfinding, short performances and event graphics through one recognisable gesture.
Glow
A bulb character built around light and possibility. Glow offers a simple visual connection to electricity, with expressions and colour that could carry across signage, merchandise and animation.
From proposal to evidence.
Develop a costume prototype and a small signage or event application. Test landmark recognition, approachability and willingness to interact. Review performer visibility, mobility and accessibility with the production team. No visitor response or commercial uplift has been measured.
The three illustrated directions are concept proposals, not installed or commissioned work. Confirm the reference image context and publication permissions before external use.
A mascot should turn the place into a feeling people recognise — and give that feeling a character they want to meet.