Meet the Braimes!
Meet Jessica and Brandi—the dynamic duo behind every game we create. They don’t just put their hearts, souls, and brains into our games; they sprinkle in creativity, innovation, inclusivity, and a whole lot of love (with a dash of hardcore research to keep that love in check).
Now, let’s talk about how these two powerhouses met. Picture this: Jessica’s in the shower, her husband’s lounging on the bed, casually watching TV. Suddenly, Shark Tank pops on the screen, and guess who’s in the tank? Brandi! Without missing a beat, Jessica’s husband grabs his phone and records the whole thing. As soon as Jessica steps out of the shower, he excitedly shows her the video and says, “You need to see this—she’s like your twin in everything you believe in!”
Inspired and a little starstruck, that night, Jessica takes a bold leap and emails Brandi, even though Brandi wasn’t hiring. But the universe had other plans—when they met, it was instant magic. A few weeks later, Brandi called with news that made Jessica do a happy dance: she was now the new product developer of The Fidget Game.
Since then, Jessica and Brandi have been unstoppable, creating products with an inclusivity mindset, designed for children of all abilities. With Jessica’s background as a former special education teacher and Brandi’s experience as a teacher and reading specialist, they base every game on the science of reading (SoR).
The Birth of Squishyland: Behind the Scenes with Jessica and Brandi
Jessica and Brandi’s collaboration on Squishyland began in an unexpected yet inspiring setting—Lisbon. Jessica recounts, “We first started working on Squishyland when I was in Lisbon. It was a special time, right at the end of my honeymoon with my husband. We found a way to work together in Lisbon and began the exciting process of designing the game board and characters.”
The creative journey involved more than just brainstorming; it was about bringing characters to life. “The characters like Chloe the Clam, Clancy the Clownfish, and Oscar the Octopus each have names that start with the same letter as their animal. This naming convention was meant to make them memorable and engaging. Their personalities and challenges are tied to their roles in the underwater world of Rainbow Reef, reflecting their respective phonological awareness skills.”
Brandi adds, “Jessica’s background in special education and my experience as a teacher and reading specialist provided us with a unique perspective. We both saw the need for more interactive and enjoyable phonological awareness games. We wanted Squishyland to fill that gap and offer a comprehensive approach to foundational reading skills.”
The development process was as creative as it was collaborative. Brandi reflects on their first in-person meeting: “Jessica and I worked together for six months before meeting face-to-face when she came to Lisbon. It was magical because, despite our virtual collaboration, being together in person allowed us to brainstorm and develop ideas more effectively. We were sketching out game designs with markers, coming up with concepts for different grade levels and skills.”
Their initial plan was to include one card pack per grade level from Pre-K to Grade 2. However, as their ideas evolved, they realized the potential to add more value. “We decided to add an additional card pack for each grade level to cover all phonological awareness skills comprehensively. This decision was driven by our commitment to providing the best educational tools for kids,” says Brandi.
This commitment to quality and value is a cornerstone of their work. “From the very beginning, we vowed to never cut corners,” Brandi explains. “Our goal was to create games that offer high educational value and are built to last. We wanted Squishyland to grow with the children who use it, providing tools for various grade levels and ensuring that it meets educational standards.”
The Vision Continues...
As they prepare for the Kickstarter campaign, their excitement is palpable. “We’re thrilled about the launch and can’t wait for kids and families to experience Squishyland,” Jessica says. Brandi echoes her enthusiasm: “We’ve poured our hearts into this project, and we believe it will make a real difference in early literacy education. We’re excited to share it with the world and see the positive impact it will have.”
But the journey doesn’t stop with Squishyland. Jessica and Brandi have even more exciting projects in the pipeline. Upcoming games such as LexiLearn, King Komodo, Tricky Trolls, and Popplers are set to take educational gaming to new heights. Each game brings a fresh twist and innovative approach to learning, ensuring that educational content remains engaging and effective.
Squishyland represents more than just a game—it embodies the vision of two dedicated educators who turned their passion into a groundbreaking educational tool. With its innovative approach and commitment to inclusivity, Squishyland is set to make waves in the world of early literacy. And with their upcoming projects on the horizon, Jessica and Brandi are poised to continue transforming educational gaming for years to come.
