A discovery app celebrating author’s legacy beyond The Chronicles of Narnia.
A discovery app celebrating author’s legacy beyond The Chronicles of Narnia.
A discovery app celebrating author’s legacy beyond The Chronicles of Narnia.
DESIGN | RESEARCH | BRANDING | DEVELOPMENT
the problem
the problem
Turning more than 40 books into a
guided world of discovery, beyond Narnia.
Turning more than 40 books into a guided world of discovery, beyond Narnia.
Turning more than 40 books into a
guided world of discovery, beyond Narnia.
The C.S. Lewis Company wanted to create a new digital home for Lewis’s work: a place where people could read, reflect and explore his ideas beyond the stories they already knew. The project moved from an early hypothesis through concept exploration, research and product definition, establishing the core experience ahead of its October 2026 launch.
The C.S. Lewis Company wanted to create a new digital home for Lewis’s work: a place where people could read, reflect and explore his ideas beyond the stories they already knew. The project moved from an early hypothesis through concept exploration, research and product definition, establishing the core experience ahead of its October 2026 launch.
The C.S. Lewis Company wanted to create a new digital home for Lewis’s work: a place where people could read, reflect and explore his ideas beyond the stories they already knew. The project moved from an early hypothesis through concept exploration, research and product definition, establishing the core experience ahead of its October 2026 launch.
the CHALLENGE
the CHALLENGE
the CHALLENGE
For many people, C.S. Lewis means The Chronicles of Narnia. But his wider body of work spans more than 40 books across faith, philosophy, relationships and the human experience.
A conventional library could make the content available, but it wouldn’t necessarily help someone know where to begin. The challenge was to make this extensive archive feel relevant and approachable, even to people unfamiliar with Lewis beyond Narnia.
For many people, C.S. Lewis means The Chronicles of Narnia. But his wider body of work spans more than 40 books across faith, philosophy, relationships and the human experience.
A conventional library could make the content available, but it wouldn’t necessarily help someone know where to begin. The challenge was to make this extensive archive feel relevant and approachable, even to people unfamiliar with Lewis beyond Narnia.
For many people, C.S. Lewis means The Chronicles of Narnia. But his wider body of work spans more than 40 books across faith, philosophy, relationships and the human experience.
A conventional library could make the content available, but it wouldn’t necessarily help someone know where to begin. The challenge was to make this extensive archive feel relevant and approachable, even to people unfamiliar with Lewis beyond Narnia.
How might Lewis’s ideas become easier to discover without requiring people to understand his entire catalogue?
How might Lewis’s ideas become easier to discover without requiring people to understand his entire catalogue?
UNDERSTANDING THE AUDIENCE
UNDERSTANDING THE AUDIENCE
Research identified 2 overlapping audiences.
Research identified 2 overlapping audiences.
Research identified 2 overlapping audiences.
Spiritually Curious Explorers
Spiritually Curious Explorers
They wanted thoughtful content and deeper meaning, but preferred lighter, guided experiences that could fit naturally into their day.
They wanted thoughtful content and deeper meaning, but preferred lighter, guided experiences that could fit naturally into their day.
They wanted thoughtful content and deeper meaning, but preferred lighter, guided experiences that could fit naturally into their day.
Margin Writers
Margin Writers
They engaged more actively, saving passages, making notes and connecting ideas across different works.
They engaged more actively, saving passages, making notes and connecting ideas across different works.
They engaged more actively, saving passages, making notes and connecting ideas across different works.
What the app could be
What the app could be
Exploring early concepts to create an oasis of experience.
Exploring early concepts to create an oasis of experience.
Exploring early concepts
to create an oasis of experience
The initial vision was intentionally broad. It included reading, personal reflection, conversations between readers and AI-assisted interactions inspired by Lewis’s writing. Before defining the product, we used quick sketches and scrappy prototypes to make these possibilities tangible.
The initial vision was intentionally broad. It included reading, personal reflection, conversations between readers and AI-assisted interactions inspired by Lewis’s writing. Before defining the product, we used quick sketches and scrappy prototypes to make these possibilities tangible.
The initial vision was intentionally broad. It included reading, personal reflection, conversations between readers and AI-assisted interactions inspired by Lewis’s writing. Before defining the product, we used quick sketches and scrappy prototypes to make these possibilities tangible.
Discover through Map or Books
Wander through connected themes on the map, or browse Lewis’s works through a familiar library.
Discover through Portals
Explore content through themes of emotion that turn browsing Lewis’s work into an immersive experience.
Letters from Lewis
Exchange thoughts with Lewis through personal, letter-like moments that turn reading into a conversation.
Soul Map
Turn explored themes, saved passages, and reflections into a soul map that reveals your sigil over time.
Reflect and Annotate Daily Passages
Annotate meaningful passages, add personal reflections and return to the ideas that stay with you.
Discover through Map or Books
Wander through connected themes on the map, or browse Lewis’s works through a familiar library.
Discover through Portals
Explore content through themes of emotion that turn browsing Lewis’s work into an immersive experience.
Letters from Lewis
Exchange thoughts with Lewis through personal, letter-like moments that turn reading into a conversation.
Soul Map
Turn explored themes, saved passages, and reflections into a soul map that reveals your sigil over time.
Reflect and Annotate Daily Passages
Annotate meaningful passages, add personal reflections and return to the ideas that stay with you.
Discover through Map or Books
Wander through connected themes on the map, or browse Lewis’s works through a familiar library.
Discover through Portals
Explore content through themes of emotion that turn browsing Lewis’s work into an immersive experience.
Letters from Lewis
Exchange thoughts with Lewis through personal, letter-like moments that turn reading into a conversation.
Soul Map
Turn explored themes, saved passages, and reflections into a soul map that reveals your sigil over time.
Reflect and Annotate Daily Passages
Annotate meaningful passages, add personal reflections and return to the ideas that stay with you.
How research changed the direction
How research changed the direction
Testing clarified how people wanted to explore and exposed what was missing.
Testing clarified how people wanted to explore and exposed what was missing.
Testing clarified how people wanted to explore and exposed what was missing.
One unresolved question:
Why come back?
One unresolved question:
Why come back?
One unresolved question: Why come back?
We tested an open, exploratory concept against a more familiar stacked content feed. People slightly preferred the clarity of the structured model, but neither created a compelling reason to return. Reflection added value, but wasn’t strong enough to lead the experience.
We tested an open, exploratory concept against a more familiar stacked content feed. People slightly preferred the clarity of the structured model, but neither created a compelling reason to return. Reflection added value, but wasn’t strong enough to lead the experience.
52%
preferred the structured content feed for its clearer navigation and faster discovery.
preferred the structured content feed for its clearer navigation and faster discovery.
52%
0.15 pt. difference
Perceived value increased only from 3.14 to 3.29, a slight preference, not a decisive winner.
Perceived value increased only from 3.14 to 3.29, a slight preference, not a decisive winner.
0.15 pt. difference
~3 out of 5
Both concepts scored modestly for return and recommendation, revealing a retention gap.
Both concepts scored modestly for return and recommendation, revealing a retention gap.
~3 out of 5
38% vs 14%
38% would save less if their activity were public, while only 14% wanted broader sharing.
38% would save less if their activity were public, while only 14% wanted broader sharing.
38% vs 14%
preferred the structured content feed for its clearer navigation and faster discovery.
52%
Perceived value increased only from 3.14 to 3.29, a slight preference, not a decisive winner.
0.15 pt. difference
Both concepts scored modestly for return and recommendation, revealing a retention gap.
~3 out of 5
38% would save less if their activity were public, while only 14% wanted broader sharing.
38% vs 14%
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Portals remained the foundation for open thematic exploration.
Journeys were introduced as curated paths that offered a clear starting point and a reason to return. Reflection became a private, supporting layer, not the main proposition.
We designed Anima as a connected ecosystem for classical music, with the musician at its core.
Profiles bring together performances, connections, opportunities, education and commerce, creating one professional home for every part of a musician’s career
Portals remained the foundation for open thematic exploration. Journeys were introduced as curated paths that offered a clear starting point and a reason to return. Reflection became a private, supporting layer, not the main proposition.
Portals remained the foundation for open thematic exploration. Journeys were introduced as curated paths that offered a clear starting point and a reason to return. Reflection became a private, supporting layer, not the main proposition.
Home, as an
editorial front door
Home, as
an editorial front door
Home, as an
editorial front door
Home, as an
editorial front door
A considered mix of passages, featured themes, Journeys and new content gives people a compelling place to begin exploring.
A considered mix of passages, featured themes, Journeys and new content gives people a compelling place to begin exploring.
A considered mix of passages, featured themes, Journeys and new content gives people a compelling place to begin exploring.
Explore through
thematic portals
Explore through
thematic portals
Explore through
thematic portals
Each portal offers a meaningful entry into Lewis’s ideas, helping people begin with a theme that resonates and discover connections across his work.
Each portal offers a meaningful entry into Lewis’s ideas, helping people begin with a theme that resonates and discover connections across his work.
Each portal offers a meaningful entry into Lewis’s ideas, helping people begin with a theme that resonates and discover connections across his work.
Journeys that
unfold day by day
Journeys that
unfold day by day
Journeys that
unfold day by day
Each Journey unfolds through a curated sequence of daily readings, giving people something purposeful to return to while leaving them free to explore connected ideas along the way.
Each Journey unfolds through a curated sequence of daily readings, giving people something purposeful to return to while leaving them free to explore connected ideas along the way.
Each Journey unfolds through a curated sequence of daily readings, giving people something purposeful to return to while leaving them free to explore connected ideas along the way.
UP NEXT
DESIGN | RESEARCH | BRANDING | DEVELOPMENT
UP NEXT
DESIGN | RESEARCH | BRANDING | DEVELOPMENT