Q&A:This AIP Aims To Make A Mascot For The DAO. Find Out More About AIP-289 Here:

The Ape community is currently voting on an Ape Improvement Proposal by ThankApe grant winning artist, AnnieRawrz, to create a mascot for the DAO!

AIP-289 titled ‘Designing a Mascot for Apecoin,’ is an ecosystem allocation fund proposal written by ApeCoin DAO Contributor AnnieRawrz.

“The overwhelming response to Apekin, my Thankape art contest entry in June, has demonstrated the need for a mascot among the Apecoin community,” AnnieRawrz wrote. “Apekin’s design has already sparked engagement within the community. The motivation behind this proposal is to continue building on the momentum generated by Apekin and explore the development of a captivating mascot that truly represents the spirit and supports the goals of the ApeCoin ecosystem, adding a valuable asset to the brand. A mascot plays a crucial role in brand identity by making it recognizable and memorable, adding infinite opportunities for further brand development. Aside from that I would like to inspire and break the ice, inviting other artists to contribute to the ApeCoin brand as well, fostering a collaborative and inclusive community.”

In total, AnnieRawrz is asking the ApeCoin DAO to allocate $5,750 USD for AIP-289.

With the money, AnnieRwarz will develop a style guide for the mascot, create 15 Discord emojis/stickers, 10 graphic assets for marketing purposes, a 3D model of the mascot, and transfer all ownership of the mascot to the DAO. AnnieRawrz anticipates that the creation of the $Ape mascot will take 3-4 months.

To find out more about AIP-289 and to learn more about the DAO’s possible mascot, the Bored Ape Gazette reached out to AnnieRawrz for an interview. Check it out below:

1.In a sentence or two can you tell me about your artist journey and how you got into $Ape?

“I started out as an emote-artist back when I was streaming on Twitch about 7 years ago. Emote sets for Twitch streamers and Discord stickers for Web3 communities aren't that different, so that's what I focused on since I discovered Web3 in 2021. A friend introduced me to ThankApe and $Apecoin in April and the lack of a mascot was the first thing that I noticed about the DAO. That's when Apekin - my art contest entry - came to life.”

Some of Annie Rawr's previous work

2. Why are you the right person to design an $Ape mascot?

“Bringing characters to life for communities to identify themselves with and express themselves is what I specialize on. I honestly don't know a better artist for this job. I may not have tons of recent example to show (I do this in my spare time), but I'm so passionate about this mascot and will go beyond my limits to deliver the perfect character for this DAO.”

3. Why should the DAO fund your AIP?

“The fund I'm asking for would allow me to pause/reject any other art commission coming my way for the next couple months so I can fully focus on this mascot.”

4. What traits or characteristics, traits, or values come to you when you think of an $Ape mascot?

“Curious, adventurous, inventive, ingenious, friendly, helpful, inclusive.”

5. Do you have any rough ideas of what the mascot will look like or what the mascot’s backstory/ personality will be?

“It should be ape-inspired for sure, corresponding to the name Ape-coin. A chimp for example, something cute and friendly. But I would also like the robot theme. Apekin, the monkey-AI-robot mascot design I came up with for the art contest, is a great start and the community seems to love him already. For the background story I don't know to be honest. Would be interesting to come up with a bit of a lore for him to give the character more depth.”

6. Do you have anything else you’d like to add or say?

“I have been a passionate community member of the Apecoin DAO since I joined the Discord and forum in April. Bringing a mascot to life for the community to use and grow attached to would be an absolute honor and pleasure and I can't wait to get started. I have been a bit hesitant and unsure about it, especially because there seems to be a deep conflict among the Apecoin holders concerning the brand and how we are tied to Yuga. Having our own little mascot will be a big change for the Apecoin brand but I believe that it's a necessary step towards becoming an inclusive token in the Web3 space.”

The window to vote on AIP-289 is currently open and $Ape holders s have until Wednesday, August 16th, at 9 P.M. EST to cast their coins.

ApeCoin DAO Contributors can read AnnieRwarz’s full proposal here: https://forum.apecoin.com/t/aip-289-designing-a-mascot-for-apecoin/15247

The Bored Ape Gazette will continue to follow AIP-289 and will let you know how the community votes on this AIP later. This week. Stay tuned for updates!