BaT BOY YOURSELF App for Facebook

Role: Interactive Art Director, Developer

In 2010, World Weekly News partnered with interactive media developer Sprout to create this viral Facebook campaign and application, which mutated thousands of users into the iconic Bat Boy character from the infamous tabloid.

I created this 4-step application that allowed the user to take a webcam picture or upload a photo of themselves, alter it to become a version of Bat Boy, and share the results with their friends. Their results would appear across their friends’ social feeds, which then directed those people back to the Bat Boy Yourself app.

The app also featured a Bat Boy merch store which showcased a variety of items—primarily highlighting the release of the “tell-all” book Going Mutant: The Bat Boy Exposed!

Despite the age of this project, it remains a highlight for me due to the distinct visual style I designed for it, as well as the evocative user experience and interface I developed.

Step 1: Choose Background Picture

Step one has the user select one of three background images.

Step 2: Add Your Picture

Step two has the user add themselves to the scene via three available methods: Facebook, Computer, Webcam.

Step 3: Preview

Step three provides a preview of the final faux Weekly World News cover image before sharing, with the option to go back a step to adjust the image.

Step 4: Share

The final step provides the user with the option to download the image, as well as share to Facebook—which creates a viral social opportunity.

Bat Boy Merch Store

Bat Boy Gallery

Alternate Option

I created two options for the client. This was Option A, and was originally my favorite. The “secret file folder” theme of Option B grew on me as I worked it.