Grojband

Web-based Arcade & Modular Motion Graphics Competition

Art Director, Game Designer, Narrative Designer, Concept Artist | Fresh TV, Teletoon

Grojband: The Show Must Go On! was an online and mobile activity site created for children aged six to 12. The website allowed fans play games incorporating the show’s characters, animation style, and signature humor. It also provided a robust application to design custom three-second animations—Wicked Cool Transitions—as seen in the Grojband TV show.

After building transitions using characters, effects, and objects, kids could submit them for a contest where the winning entries are featured on-air during episodes, complete with personal shoutouts. Through weekly contests and on-air promotions, Teletoon actively engaged its young audience, extending the show’s reach beyond the screen.

Story & Concept

I came up with the idea to have the Grojband characters acknowledge the existence of the “Wicked Cool Transitions”, playing into a meta-narrative that blurred the line between the show and the game. This playful self-awareness allowed the characters to interact with the transitions as part of their world, giving players a sense of agency in shaping the story.

The transitions became more than just a visual element; they were incorporated into the game as a central mechanic, with the characters referencing them in the show itself. This seamless integration tied the digital experience to the on-air narrative, creating a cohesive and engaging experience across both platforms.

Art Direction

The art style of the site was designed to closely mirror the vibrant, dynamic animation of the Grojband show, with detailed character designs, bold color schemes, and energetic visual elements that captured the show’s unique aesthetic.

I ensured this high-quality translation by meticulously adapting these features to the interactive web experience, preserving both the fun and fluidity of the show’s animation while delivering media and game content that could feasibly work over web-based applications.

Game Design

The design of the three games—Legends of Mount Rocklympus, Water You Doing?, and Battle of the Bands—was centered around the themes and humor of Grojband, ensuring they were not only fun but also reflective of the show’s spirit.

As the lead designer, I conceptualized each game’s core gameplay systems to be engaging for kids aged 6-12, while also integrating elements from the show to maintain a sense of continuity. 

My role involved overseeing the visual style to ensure consistency with the show’s animation, and ensuring the user interface was intuitive and fun.

Project Outcomes

  • Grojband: The Show Must Go On! won several awards, including a Canadian Screen Award for Best Cross-Platform Project – Children’s and Youth, an AToMIC Award for broadcast engagement, and an FITC Award for web-based games.
  • The website achieved significant user engagement, with over 253,000 game plays in the first three months, and an average time on site of 7.5 minutes per user, showing how well the game and content resonated with the target audience of kids aged 6-12.
  • With 135,500 visits and 6,215 submitted “Wicked Cool Transitions.” in less than 90 days after launch, the project went on to be Teletoon’s highest performers, out lasting the actual television series by three years!
  • The project effectively integrated the show’s brand and animation style into the games and interactive components, maintaining the show’s tone while providing a seamless, engaging experience for users. This not only kept kids immersed in the Grojband universe but also contributed to the show’s cross-platform reach.