Building the Franky Banky brand: user research and persona library
Building the Franky Banky brand: user research and persona library
Project overview
After the success of my Stuttering is Cool podcast and illustrated book of the same name starring Franky Banky, a fox who stutters, I saw the opportunity to turn the protagonist into a brand because:
- Comics are a great medium that draws readers into the characters’ world.
- Stories are effective at explaining concepts and retaining information.
- Humour is a great way to form a connection (and entice sharing!)
My role
Cartoonist, graphic designer, end-to-end UX designer and digital marketer leading all projects from conception to delivery.
Responsibilities
Web design, UX design, graphic design, comic strip artist, digital marketing, community management.
Project overview
After the success of my Stuttering is Cool podcast and illustrated book of the same name starring Franky Banky, a fox who stutters, I saw the opportunity to turn the protagonist into a brand because:
- Comics are a great medium that draws readers into the characters’ world.
- Stories are effective at explaining concepts and retaining information.
- Humour is a great way to form a connection (and entice sharing!)
My role
Cartoonist, graphic designer, end-to-end UX designer and digital marketer leading all projects from conception to delivery.
Responsibilities
Web design, UX design, graphic design, comic strip artist, digital marketing, community management.
Problem
There is a lot of misinformation online about stuttering, often harmful advice on how to pass off as a fluent person and a lack of awareness. Also, there are very few role models who stutter. For example, celebrities who stutter never do so in front of the camera and there are no superheroes or cartoons who stutter (not many are fans of Porky Pig).
Goal
Create a brand around Franky Banky as a role model for people who stutter (PWS) for prevailing over adversity and spreading stuttering awareness. The brand centered around web comics and merchandise accessed via the website, FrankyBanky.com.
Problem
There is a lot of misinformation online about stuttering, often harmful advice on how to pass off as a fluent person and a lack of awareness. Also, there are very few role models who stutter. For example, celebrities who stutter never do so in front of the camera and there are no superheroes or cartoons who stutter (not many are fans of Porky Pig).
Goal
Create a brand around Franky Banky as a role model for people who stutter (PWS) for prevailing over adversity and spreading stuttering awareness. The brand centered around web comics and merchandise accessed via the website, FrankyBanky.com.
Understanding the user
User research
I conducted interviews to understand the users I’m designing my content for and their needs. User groups identified through research include:
- People who dislike their stutter.
- People who fully accept their stutter and see it as a benefit.
- Speech therapists looking for resources to use in therapy sessions.
- Speech therapy students who want to understand how it feels to stutter as well as collect resources to use as they begin their careers.
- Parents of children who stutter.
This user group confirmed initial assumptions about the various needs of PWS and speech therapists, however, research also revealed that fluent speech therapists like using resources created by PWS so that they would not be another fluent adult telling child clients how to speak.
Key findings
Key findings
1
PWS want to educate the world on myths and misconceptions about stuttering and fluency which are still perpetuated by the media and miracle-cure fraudsters.
2
3
4
5
6
Personas
I created user personas for each audience type based on my user research.
Products
FrankyBanky.com website
I created a website with a simple design so that comics, clearly labeled, are accessed with as few clicks as possible. I also offered my comics in PDF format for use in speech therapy sessions.
Accessibility considerations
- Stories described in alternative text
- Recorded descriptive audio
- Available as an audio podcast for easier navigation/access
- Dedicated page listing all descriptive audio episodes as an accessible jukebox
Impact
- Speech therapists used my webcomics for use in therapy sessions.
- Stuttering researchers and speech therapists used my comics in academic and evidence-based practice presentations to colleagues.
- People without hearing loss also listen to the descriptive audio podcast (for example, when running, driving).
What I learned
- SLPs across the Spanish-speaking world are interested in translations of Franky Banky comics. Spanish version of website launched a few months later.
“I use your website on a regular basis to offer my kids another option for managing their speech”
– Speech therapist, UK
Products
FrankyBanky.com website
I created a website with a simple design so that comics, clearly labeled, are accessed with as few clicks as possible. I also offered my comics in PDF format for use in speech therapy sessions.
Accessibility considerations
- Stories described in alternative text
- Recorded descriptive audio
- Available as an audio podcast for easier navigation/access
- Dedicated page listing all descriptive audio episodes as an accessible jukebox
Impact
- Speech therapists used my webcomics for use in therapy sessions.
- Stuttering researchers and speech therapists used my comics in academic and evidence-based practice presentations to colleagues.
- People without hearing loss also listen to the descriptive audio podcast (for example, when running, driving).
Testimonials
“I use your website on a regular basis to offer my kids another option for managing their speech”
– Speech therapist, UK
What I learned
- SLPs across the Spanish-speaking world are interested in translations of Franky Banky comics. Spanish version of website launched a few months later.
Franky Banky stuttering awareness pins
I incorporated humour in the design for the Franky Banky stuttering awareness pins. I also sell them with a mini-comic book.
Impact
- Parents bought my pins for their children to wear on their t-shirts or backpacks as conversation starters at school.
- Advocates like to purchase Franky Banky merchandise as prizes at awareness events.
- Translations have been requested and produced.
What I learned
- PWS like to wear my pins at awareness events.
- Speech therapists like to give my pins away to child clients as gifts.
Testimonials
“These buttons are the coolest! Thanks for helping us spread Stuttering Awareness. You Rock!”
“…my middle school students who stutter… are at an age where [they] may be ready to consider this scary idea that stuttering can be done openly. Just seeing this attitude displayed on cool little pins is eye-opening for them”
Franky Banky stuttering awareness pins
I incorporated humour in the design for the Franky Banky stuttering awareness pins. I also sell them with a mini-comic book.
Impact
- Parents bought my pins for their children to wear on their t-shirts or backpacks as conversation starters at school.
- Advocates like to purchase Franky Banky merchandise as prizes at awareness events.
- Translations have been requested and produced.
Testimonials
- “These buttons are the coolest! Thanks for helping us spread Stuttering Awareness. You Rock!”
- “…my middle school students who stutter… are at an age where [they] may be ready to consider this scary idea that stuttering can be done openly. Just seeing this attitude displayed on cool little pins is eye-opening for them”
What I learned
- PWS like to wear my pins at awareness events.
- Speech therapists like to give my pins away to child clients as gifts.
Graphic novel for kids
I published my second book, Tales of Mischief, Mayhem and Mirth, written and drawn based on my user research findings.
Accessibility considerations
- Relying on dialogue to convey characters’ actions may be unclear for readers with language processing issues.
- Avoid pure white on black for readers with astigmatism.
Impact
- A 10-year old reader gave a speech about stuttering in front of his class for the first time a week after reading my book. He then gave his speech to his entire school a month later.
- Parts of my book were adapted and reenacted at summer camps for children who stutter.
What I learned
- Fonts need to be written in a different thickness for some readers with low vision in order to distinguish between words and artwork.
- The cover colour scheme may be too bright for some users with light sensitivity.
Testimonials
“The Franky Banky comics have shifted my view in stuttering permanently and for the better good!”
– Mother of a child who stutters
“…this book could appeal to anyone wanting to read about the triumph of an unassuming hero…”
– Speech therapist and mother of a child who stutters
“This work should be in the hands of every child who stutters, to promote self-understanding regarding their stuttering. Daniele also portrays ways to self-advocate about stuttering with age-appropriate clarity. Thank you for another masterpiece!”
– Tom Scharstein, Chairman, World Stuttering Network
Graphic novel for kids
I published my second book, Tales of Mischief, Mayhem and Mirth, written and drawn based on my user research findings.
Accessibility considerations
- Relying on dialogue to convey characters’ actions may be unclear for readers with language processing issues.
- Avoid pure white on black for readers with astigmatism.
Impact
- A 10-year old reader gave a speech about stuttering in front of his class for the first time a week after reading my book. He then gave his speech to his entire school a month later.
- Parts of my book were adapted and reenacted at summer camps for children who stutter.
Testimonials
- “The Franky Banky comics have shifted my view in stuttering permanently and for the better good!”
– Mother of a child who stutters - “…this book could appeal to anyone wanting to read about the triumph of an unassuming hero…”
– Speech therapist and mother of a child who stutters - “This work should be in the hands of every child who stutters, to promote self-understanding regarding their stuttering. Daniele also portrays ways to self-advocate about stuttering with age-appropriate clarity. Thank you for another masterpiece!”
– Tom Scharstein, Chairman, World Stuttering Network
What I learned
- Fonts need to be written in a different thickness for some readers with low vision in order to distinguish between words and artwork.
- The cover colour scheme may be too bright for some users with light sensitivity.