An earthbound message from an MTV icon

For over 30 years, the MTV Moon Person has been an icon of creativity and excellence. But for the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, the network wanted to do something different with their mascot. During the pandemic, mental health became a central issue for young people around the world, and MTV wanted to send a message of the importance of prioritizing our own health and sharing our struggles with others. Creative Director Mitch Monson reinvested the classic iconography of the Moon Person with powerful new meaning, as its metal surface cracks from pressure, while winding vines and flowers burst forth and heal. This symbol of strength and resilience brings the message home in a time when we need it most.