LIFTER (Letter Identification and Formation for Transcription and Early Reading) is tool designed to empower educators and caregivers in supporting students’ handwriting and early reading skills. LIFTER and CLIFTER (LIFTER’s cursive counterpart), is used in classrooms across the largest school district in Iowa, Des Moines Public Schools, and has received over 200,000 visitors since launch.

For LIFTER, the Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC) wanted to create an encouraging mascot that would motivate kids to learn while reinforcing the theme of literacy. I designed the main visual identity of this tool, Lifty, a determined brainiac filled with enthusiasm for learning. When CLIFTER was later developed, I designed Clifty as Lifty’s softer yet equally energetic companion. Additionally, I designed promotional graphics and created handout worksheets. I also oversaw and created letter-tracing animations and promotional cartoons. An ongoing challenge of working at the IRRC is designing materials that appeal to both children and educators while adhering to University of Iowa (UIOWA) branding guidelines, since the IRRC is affiliated with the university. I often address this with playful illustration and expressive character design while maintaining UIOWA’s color palette and cleanliness.

Meet Lifty: https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/lifter
Check out LIFTER tool here: https://lifter.irrc-tools.org/
Meet Clifty: https://irrc.education.uiowa.edu/resources/apps-and-tools/clifter