Mascotte+

Mascotte+ is a creative studio specializing in brand mascots, combining character design, digital animation and physical fabrication. Founded in France in 2014 by animation artist and creative director Steve Knafou, it develops characters for advertising, entertainment, events and corporate communications. Its work connects the visual identity of a mascot with the practical assets needed to bring that character into campaigns and public appearances.

The studio’s development process includes graphic research, personality development, 2D character sheets, 3D modeling and rigging. These stages establish how a character looks and behaves across different formats. Digital production extends to 2D and 3D animation, television and web commercials, social media video loops, animated campaign assets and promotional mini-games. Mascotte+ also provides performer guidelines and ongoing character assets to support deployment across events, advertising and digital platforms.

From digital characters to physical mascots

Physical production forms a substantial part of the studio’s offering. Mascotte+ creates professional mascot costumes, bespoke plush toys and life-size exhibition sculptures, allowing a character developed for screen-based communication to appear as merchandise, a performer costume or a display installation. Its integrated service spans initial concepts, production and the subsequent use of mascot assets across multiple channels.

The studio serves consumer brands, theme parks and family entertainment businesses, sports organizations, financial services companies and corporate clients. Its portfolio includes modernization and 3D modeling of the Walibi theme park mascot for Compagnie des Alpes, mascot design and animated communication for Urgo, and character creation for Orlyval. Other assignments include character illustrations for Haribo and Spontex, alongside a mascot developed for Copytop’s 40th anniversary campaign.

Originally established in the Paris suburbs, Mascotte+ moved its central Paris operations in late 2021 and subsequently expanded into North America. Its international presence supports a business that brings character design, animation, fabrication and brand deployment together within one studio network.