For the Social Optics Comic / Graphic Novel, see here: https://sprinterworks.studio/blogs/portfolio/social-optics-graphic-novel
"Social Optics is a web based social communication solution for neurodivergent teens. We believe that understanding yourself and the science of communication is the foundation for positive self-esteem, relationships, and resilience. Social Optics allows schools to combine direct instruction, self-reflection and independent learning activities to help students develop authentic and empathetic communication skills."
Allie, our lead artist and owner handed many aspects within the company over the course of roughly 5 Years as a Creative Director and manager Including:
- Branding & Marketing: Logo Redesign, Design language to be used throughout the website and marketing materials - including banners, flyers and business cards for conferences. Video advertisements or slideshows were also produced by Allie.
- Management: At any given time Allie was in charge of several other artists and professionals handling various aspects of the development.
- Character Design: Social Optics needed characters to use throughout story telling and demonstrate the social strategies to teens using the app. Allie designed each character, made character sheets, wrote up detailed backstories and directed other artists on how to draw them.
- App development: Allie oversaw the development and aesthetics of the learning software itself. She worked one on one and in groups with the lead developers working on the back end coding.
- Vector graphics: Using Adobe Illustrator, Allie created most art after 2023 for the company in vector fomats. SVG, EPS etc.
- Idea Development: Allie was responsible for brainstorming new ideas - whether on her own or in group meetings. Allie's concepts from characters, to app workflow to stories influenced the whole project.
- Merchandise: Products such as T-shirts, stickers, button pins, note paper and cups were designed and produced with Allie's artwork. Allie also handled the production of a worksheet journal to go alongside the digital app.
- Graphic Novel: For more on this head to the portfolio link here....
Allie worked on this project from March 2020 - November 2024.
First beginnings:
It started in 2019 with the character designs. I was asked to give them names, personalities and backgrounds. I created some simple graphics to go alongside them. I began with 4 characters, then was asked to design two more.
I had an assistant artist as well as web designer under my management.
I was asked to design a mock-up for the website. I worked side by side in FRAME with back-end coders who turned my aesthetic front end designs into workable web design.
The company took my suggestion for a student profile avatar maker. The avatar would show when a student is logged in, and potentially appear in simulated social situations alongside the characters.
Here are some of the concepts for how the avatar maker would have looked in app:
Second iteration:
After a some parts shuffled within the company they went for a re-brand and app re-design. I was called back in to assist.
This time my role was greater, I became creative director with my hands on every part of the company for continuity.
All art from this time is done in vector software Adobe Illustrator.
