Case studies

Ideas built as worlds, systems, and places to belong.

These projects show how I think across disciplines: finding the central story, designing the structure around it, and building enough of the idea for other people to enter.

Explore case studies Narrative design CV

Layered film canisters photographed by Tess Devillier

Selected case files

Proof without pretending the work is finished.

Open a folder to review the brief, my role, the systems I designed, and what is already working. Where outcomes have not yet been measured, I say so.

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Community design · In development

On The Fly Network

A developing life-first creative support and production network for neurodivergent, disabled, and chronically ill creatives. The remote Discord community reached more than 30 members and delivered at least three free workshops.

As founder and community manager, I shaped the community concept, workshop programming, audio identity, web presence, and early interactive prototypes. The next phase is a paid production model that supports changing capacity rather than punishing it.

FounderCommunity strategyCreative directionWeb prototypes

Visit OTF Network →

Multimedia mythology · In development

XYZTHIANS

A mythology about modern gods formed through mass hysteria and emotional pressure. The world is designed to unfold through writing, music, visual artifacts, recipes, and hidden narrative rather than a single linear format.

My role spans worldbuilding, writing, creative direction, visual language, interactive web design, and the architecture connecting each medium. It is also a proposed founding production for future OTF collaboration.

WorldbuildingWritingCreative directionTransmedia design

Enter the XYZTHIANS world →

TIGIDBSystem terminal · Prototype

01World Library & Encyclopedia
02Characters & Contact Book
03Intel & Mission Board
04Tasks & Campaign Events
05Navigation, Weather & Hazards
06Magic, Items & World Systems

Structured lore. Connected consequences.

Narrative database and rules engine · Prototype

TIGIDB

The challenge: a large world bible becomes difficult to use when planets, cultures, characters, equipment, quests, and timelines live in disconnected notes. I designed TIGIDB to model those relationships as structured information that can be searched, extended, and tested for consequences.

Amanita-Prime is one working data example: its acid dew affects materials, its hostility to electronics informs its history, salt is both a survival concern and cultural taboo, and the planet’s heartbeat becomes a quest mechanic. The JavaScript rules prototype also changes a character’s available races, subclasses, inventory, adaptations, and interface widgets based on home world, travel history, race, and tier.

I created the domain model, representative JSON and CSV content, rules experiments, Express API prototype, notebook models, and CRT interface direction. The terminal is a working navigation shell, while builders, persistence, account features, and several data connections remain in development.

World schemasRules logicInformation architectureJSON and CSVInterface prototype

Static Crawl (Visual Snow)“There’s something calming about nothing at all / Let the static crawl.”

The Quiet“Maybe they’re still talking / We just forgot how to understand.”

OTF Network Radio Jingle“On The Fly! Where the magic takes flight!”

Original lyrics · Songs, narrative cycles, and commissioned voice

Lyric Writing

I write lyrics built around memorable refrains, sensory detail, character perspective, and emotional progression. The work ranges from intimate songs such as Static Crawl (Visual Snow) and The Quiet to connected narrative pieces including The Fool’s Betrayal, The Fool, and The Warning.

I also write to a defined format and voice. The On The Fly Network radio jingle translates a modern creative-community mission into the rhythm, language, and theatrical delivery of an old radio advertisement.

LyricsHooks and refrainsCharacter voiceNarrative songwritingBrand voice

Explore That’s Soo Buttons →Ask about lyric writing →

Original TessDevillier.com · Desktop experience

Website evolution · Original and redesign

TessDevillier.com, reconsidered

The original website was built as an expressive digital environment. It prioritized discovery, music, movement, separate moods, and the feeling of entering my creative universe. That choice showed my range and made the website itself part of the work.

This redesign answers a different question: how quickly can someone understand what I do and decide to hire me? I brought pet care, photography, and worldbuilding into three clear paths; made sound optional; reduced the number of decisions at the entrance; and designed every page to work across desktop and mobile.

The original does not need to disappear. It can remain an experimental extension and archive of the maximal experience, while this version becomes the professional front door.

PositioningInformation architectureUX writingResponsive designFrontend

Experience the original website →

Need this thinking, or believe in one of these worlds?

Hire the mind or help produce the next chapter.

I can shape your story and systems, or talk with sponsors, producers, and practical partners interested in helping XYZTHIANS, On The Fly Network, or another original project move forward.

Hire me for a project Back or sponsor a project