Sommify

Two and a half weeks from prototype to film-ready product. That is the Sommify story on paper. The real story is that when Jessica and Conner handed me a working prototype of their blind wine tasting game, I saw what it could be — and we built it that way.

The game mechanics were solid. The design was not. My job was to turn a functional prototype into a retail product that could sit on a shelf, star in a commercial, and ship in time for the 2020 holiday season. I redesigned the board from scratch, built the full packaging system, designed the wine keys, playing cards, and instruction booklet — all cohesive, all in 17 days.

The Kickstarter campaign funded in 13 hours. First year: 3,000 units sold, press coverage across multiple national lifestyle and entertainment outlets. I came in as a co-owner, which meant my stake in the outcome sharpened every decision.

This is what happens when brand design and product design refuse to be separate conversations.