Checkered Past
Adult Swim’s bridge block between Cartoon Network and Adult Swim
Checkered Past was a nostalgic throwback block that aired between Cartoon Network’s sign-off and Adult Swim’s start, featuring classic CN episodes [adult swim] audiences grew up with. We leaned into the tech and textures of the era instead of the obvious 90s-style graphics.
I developed the visual system and built practical sets using old electronics, vintage consoles, PlayStation games, and strange eBay finds like expired Orbitz soda.
Design / Mixed Campaign (Television & Streaming: Brand) (2024)
Checkered Past transformed the block into a surreal mix of memories, meant to feel like slipping back into a half-remembered childhood dream — full of deep cuts and references for longtime fans.
Logo Development
We wanted a mark that could live between the two brands, something born from their shared DNA.
So we went back into our history and pulled the skull originally sketched on a napkin—or maybe a script; the details are still debated. We reworked it, and that became the mark.
Thanks, Linda Simensky <3
Packaging
The block’s main voice was a whispering TV floating in a void, pulling viewers back into their own memories—an idea inspired by classic sci-fi like The Twilight Zone. From there, the world shifted into a 2000s-era kid’s room, filled with real tech and nostalgic details. The characters, sound, and design all worked together to create a familiar but slightly surreal space between the two networks.
Our other character was an old iMac, which “spoke” through its own interface — using vintage web pages, desktop folders, and half-finished Word docs to communicate with the audience.
The character bumps combined classic Cartoon Network characters with the atmospheric “vista” bumps Adult Swim is known for from its primetime block. Familiar characters were placed directly into those environments, creating a hybrid language that merged Cartoon Network nostalgia with Adult Swim’s late-night tone.
The bumps relied on minimal, ambient sound rather than traditional promo VO, making them feel quieter and more abrupt than typical on-air messaging. This contrast helped the moments stand out while clearly bridging Cartoon Network’s history with Adult Swim’s primetime space.