“In a crooked world, straight paths lead nowhere.”
Title of the Project:
Cohorts: Shadows
Project Date:
Ongoing (Initial Production Start: 2022)
Client/Collaborator:
Self-Initiated
Brief Description:
Cohorts is a narrative-driven, multimedia project set in a speculative 2044 world, blending elements of cyberpunk, gothic themes, and immersive storytelling. The story unfolds across various media, including comics, videos, and social media posts, creating an avant-garde storytelling experience tailored for goth/punk/alt subcultures. It explores themes of identity, survival, and rebellion in a collapsing world.
Creative Roles
• Creator, Writer, and Artistic Director.
• Development of characters, world-building, and narrative arcs.
• Coordination of storytelling elements across media platforms.
Objectives
• Create an innovative, continuous narrative presented across multiple platforms.
• Engage with alternative subcultures by reflecting their aesthetic and philosophies.
• Develop a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, emphasizing authenticity and rebellion against societal norms.
Tools & Techniques
• Visual storytelling tools: Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Ai Video Animation Tools.
• Writing and narrative tools: Scrivener, Notion.
• Social media integration for audience engagement and storytelling: Instagram, TikTok, Public Spaces.
The Process
• Conducted deep dives into cyberpunk and post-collapse world aesthetics.
• Developed characters inspired by personal experiences and gothic/punk influences.
• Outlined the narrative structure using Dan Harmon’s Story Circle framework.
• Designed artwork and character visuals in a gritty, textured style to reflect the tone of the world.
• Produced text-heavy posts blending novelization and scriptwriting styles for social media.
• Created interactive media to encourage audience engagement, such as polls and riddles.
• Rolled out initial content to a personal Instagram following of 2,000+ users.
• Adapted based on audience reactions, refining storytelling techniques and visuals.
Visuals
• Character designs: Eliza/Dimes, The Bowler, Freddy.
• Story panels: Eliza’s infiltration into the club ‘Purrdition.’
• Supplemental art: Concept sketches, environmental designs, and augmented tattoo technology illustrations.
• Each post features a unique mix of visuals and storytelling styles to maintain audience engagement and immersion.
Cohorts: Shadows Preview
Challenges & Solutions
Solution: Simplified initial entries while incorporating deeper lore for those willing to engage further.
Solution: Focused on organic growth and collaboration opportunities within the alt/goth community.
Outcomes
Art Samples
What Makes This Unique?
• Combines a personal narrative of resilience with speculative world-building, making it both intimate and epic.
• Pioneers a new method of storytelling that leverages social media for immersive, multi-dimensional experiences.
• Integrates cutting-edge concepts like augmented tattoo technology, blending sci-fi with counterculture aesthetics.
Client Testimonial
Additional Notes
• This project embodies themes of rebellion, self-discovery, and survival, resonating strongly with audiences who feel overlooked or disconnected in modern society.
• Future plans include expanding into physical media such as zines and collaborative art books to further enrich the Cohorts experience.
