Campus Character VIVI
Her name is VIVI, a fitting name for a character that appeals to the female image of our university here in the 21st century. Her name was taken from the word “vivid”, from an open recruitment in 2002, representing her energic and lively image.
VIVI’s Characteristics
The ribbon (Doshisha) and the stick (Vine) represent D.W.C.L.A
Stick Vine
A stick that allows for making friends and connecting people.
School-Style Brick-Colored Dress
A brick color, similar to that of the campus exterior, for an intellectual and tasteful feel.
Annual Ring Stripes Pattern
The layered stripes expresses the history of D.W.C.L.A.
Global Perspective
Her black and blue two-color eyes overlook Japan as well as the world.
Curious Shoes
Shoes with pom-poms at the top that can quickly detect global movements, and lets her move flexibly.
Background on VIVI’s Creation
June 6, 2002
Began an open recruitment of current students and faculty members to create a character that can be introduced together with D.W.C.L.A, a character that will be familiar to current students and examinees, and will be representative of D.W.C.L.A.
October 31, 2002
Character Submission Deadline
There were 47 entries in total, and the entry details are as follows.
Number of Submissions,Cats: 9,Girls: 7,Fairies: 5,Non-Cat Animals: 5,Traditional Women: 2,The Sun: 2,Flowers: 2,Other: 15
November - December, 2002
We considered the submitted entries.
After consulting with our public relations staff (students who are involved with the university’s PR activities), we decided to start production based on the idea of cats. The reasons being including that cats were the most submitted entry, an animal that anyone can draw easily will be more attractive, cats had a good image as a presenter, and their independence, character, and livelihood appealed to the image of our 21st century university female students.
January – March, 2003
When we created five types of cat character proposals and gathered opinions at a public relations staff meeting, many felt that the appearance and shape of a cat with a grape stick was the most preferable.
Afterwards, with the approval at an internal university meeting, the cat was decided to look like the above image.
During April, 2003
Took submissions for the character’s name.
Initially, it was intended only for current students and faculty members, but we eventually accepted submissions from the general public. This submission campaign was also published in newspapers. The deadline was at the end of April. The total number of submissions was 139 (63 current students, 11 faculty members, 10 graduates, 55 general public).
May 2003
“VIVI” was decided at an internal university meeting.
There were 139 submissions from current students, graduates, faculty members, and the general public.
Thank you for so many submissions.
January 2015
In order to get to know VIVI better, we decided to create a department version of VIVI, and took submissions from current students. We received 42 ideas from 19 students., Among those, 11 students (23 ideas) have been adopted and parts of the ideas have been designed.
*Please see “Department Version VIVI” for more details.