Swayable Launches App via StickFiggy™ Video Merging Innovative Technology with a Whimsical Touch

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Seattle, Wash. Tech start-ups pop up every day, but no matter how genius the platform, survival lies in quickly generating both curiosity and understanding within potential users. Swayable.com , “a cool new (free) way to get and give opinions online or on the go,” got innovative and faced this challenge by collaborating with artist Jane Marshall via her hand-drawn stick-figure character, StickFiggy™.

CEO, Lindsey Harper knew she needed a fun and effective communication piece for the updated website launch and soon to be released iPhone app.  This special something turned out to be Swayable’s entertaining
How-To Video  staring StickFiggy™, the official stick figure in boots. When Lindsey first saw him, she knew that the character’s unique cheeriness plus simplicity made him not only a desired style, but also a possible video ambassador for her message. “I am very excited for Swayable; and having StickFiggy show users how to use the product in such a fun way is just the icing on the cake!” she says.

StickFiggy’s creator, Jane Marshall , took on the project after Harper serendipitously admired a piece from her line of cards and asked about animation. “The timing was perfect,” says Marshall. “I had just developed a retro-simple process of animating that offered a different feeling than all the Flash out there. I’m grateful that she (Harper) saw the potential and asked.”

Harper started Swayable™ after facing her own decision stumper while shopping at REI. She uploaded photos and sent the e-mail to her husband, trying to indicate which product was which. Then the epiphany, “This could be easier and better!”
Today, Swayables reach your social circle via Facebook, Twitter, and email with perfect ease. Friends and/or the public can help you with personal and product choices with what essentially is your very-own poll.

“It’s brilliant," explains Marshall.  She finds that technology in this way actually connects people in the small and meaningful ways that are the staples of friendship. “People on Facebook that I haven’t heard from in ages are responding to the Swayables I’m posting.” Perhaps long lost friendships can be revived with little bits of new relevant context open for decision-making input.

What’s next? Larger institutions may end up turning to Swayable™ for quick public opinions. The viral implications are exciting since Swaying™ requires only a single click and can be anonymous.  

2011 is a promising year for both Swayable™ and StickFiggy™.  Swayable™ ended last year with a prestigious spot on the Women 2.0’s Female Founder Successes of 2010 list. Women 2.0 is a Silicon Valley based tech start-up network and resource.  “I love collaborating with experts in their field to help bring Swayable to life,” says Harper.

Marshall agrees and is thrilled to be part of more local partnerships. “I feel lucky  to be experiencing Seattle’s tech frontier, seeing these innovators “get” StickFiggy is very satisfying. They value the life and warmth that comes from a character drawn by hand. And I like it in a nostalgic kind of way, knowing that only my mind and hand with ink on paper can make StickFiggy™”

Swayable’s new web application can be used for free now. The iPhone app awaits a February release.

To see the Swayable video produced by StickFiggy™.com, visit http://www.Swayable.com  and click the top link “video tour.”