Project Overview

The Swim Buddy Playbook is a narrative-driven digital relationship guide designed to help couples improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen emotional intimacy. Built around the storytelling world of the Otters—Biscuit & Breezy—the project transforms clinical expertise into an approachable, visually rich, and emotionally supportive learning environment. The goal was to create a warm, immersive experience that blends psychology, illustration, and guided practice into a cohesive digital product.

Our Approach

We translated decades of counseling experience into an interactive framework that feels intuitive, safe, and inviting for couples. Our work centered on building a visual and narrative identity aligned with the otter metaphor, ensuring every section felt consistent, supportive, and emotionally resonant.
The structure emphasized clarity, progressive learning, and emotional pacing—balancing storytelling with practical tools that partners can apply immediately.

Our priorities included:

• Establishing a visual universe that feels warm, empathetic, and memorable.

• Simplifying complex relationship concepts into digestible, story-driven modules.

• Designing page flows that support emotional safety and reduce cognitive load.

• Integrating illustrations, metaphors, and exercises in a cohesive learning arc.

• Creating a layout that guides couples step-by-step through conflict reduction and reconnection.

Key Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Translating therapeutic concepts into accessible, non-clinical language.
Solution: Reframing lessons through otter characters, visual metaphors, and narrative storytelling to make guidance feel less intimidating.

Challenge: Keeping couples emotionally engaged through long-form content.
Solution: Modular page structures, short lesson segments, and visual anchors that reduce friction and maintain focus.

Challenge: Preserving expertise while creating a playful, illustrated world.
Solution: Blending professional tone with carefully crafted artwork so the educational material remains credible, approachable, and emotionally grounding.