Character Study
The Superkids Reading Program
Optimization, Brand Strategy, Systems Design
In the K-2 Superkids Reading Program, students follow the adventures of 15 characters who grow along side them through each grade.
Over two thousand custom illustrations that follow a single style and ages the characters across three grades needed to be completed within 18 months. Conventional processes would have taken a single illustrator several years.
A partnership between the illustrator who developed the characters and an animation studio who created 3D models plus their teams of animators were able to meet both the criteria and deadlines.
Body shapes and heights were established. Skin tones assigned to each character by ethnicity.
The chosen illustrator created a line-up of all the characters, adjusting for age, clothing, and hair styles across grades while still keeping them recognizable to students.
Before & After
Character profiles were provided to guide animation studio and their teams
Original illustration on left. Animation studio 3D model turnarounds in situ on right.
Superkids Action Figures and Bus Bag
Orthographics with PMS color breaks were created for each character.
Secondary Characters
Each Superkids character has a family member that appears in a story at some point. Height charts were created to keep characters consistent throughout the program.
