Winner of the Teen Space mascot design contest announced

City Library's Teen Advisory Council has announced that Farnoosh Gerveei is the winner of the Teen Space Mascot Design contest: Farnoosh is in grade 12 at Carson Graham Secondary and the artist of the “Octopus” design. Many teens participated in the contest. Teens voted in the library after school. The library’s teen volunteers also had a chance to vote on the winning design.

Farnoosh won a $100 gift card to Park Royal, and her design is currently being made into a physical mascot and flags that will be displayed in the library’s teen spaces. Farnoosh is a long-time user of the library’s teen spaces, where she enjoys studying with her friends. She spent 10 hours on this design, which she created with Procreate, inspired by the theme of “multitasking” and the variety of ways teens like to use the library.

Here is what Farnoosh said about her mascot design:

“My mascot design conveys youth friendliness by combining a cute, approachable octopus character with elements that reflect how teens actually learn and relax today. The octopus’s soft shapes, big expressive eyes, and calm, welcoming posture make it feel friendly and non-intimidating, which helps the library feel like a comfortable and safe space for teens. The eight arms represent curiosity and creativity, showing that the library supports many different interests at once, such as reading, technology, gaming, and creativity. By including modern and familiar objects, the mascot connects the library to teens’ everyday lives, showing that the library is not just about books, but also a place to explore, discover, and express yourself. Overall, the design feels warm, playful, and inclusive, helping teens see the library as a place where they belong and are encouraged to learn in their own way.”