It’s Better with Friends. 2026. Charcoal and ink on paper. 9" × 12" (each composition). An installation comprised of six monochrome drawings—one in the center featuring the SWIMS main cast sitting around a bonfire on a beach at night, the others situated around featuring nighttime work environments for each of the characters—as well as additional drawn elements, including running poses of the characters (with accent colors) situated in between the central black-and-white drawing and the revolving ones and samples of handwriting and calligraphy on top of the black-and-white drawings. The handwriting on the revolving black-and-white drawings reads “Life can be…” along with the words “complicated,” “worrysome,” “uncertain,” “challenging,” and “risky,” respectively; and the handwriting on the central drawing reads “…But it’s better with friends.” Characters from left to right: Spencer, Warren, Iris, Myles, and Sam.

Recent work: It’s Better with Friends ✏️

First time posting a work of art in a while! This was my first assignment for my Drawing Projects class this semester, and I wanted to do something positive with the #CRJSWIMS cast in a multi-frame format. Had a lot of fun with this one!

#ObjectShowCommunity

A colored sketch of Iris (SWIMS) with script handwriting to the right reading, “Happy 28th Birthday, Iris K.!” Additional handwriting reads the same text in Japanese: 「あいりす、２８才のお誕生日おめでとう！」 Below this is the date March 2, written in English and Japanese (「三月二日」).

another OC birthday today—and it's a big one this time around!!! ☃️🎉
#ObjectShowCommunity #CRJSWIMS

SWIMS—In 2016, 2026. Procreate; 11″ × 4.25″. An illustration of the SWIMS main cast (left to right: Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, and Iris) depicted in a 2016-esque art style with tall, thin eyes; bean mouths; stick limbs; large hands and boots; neon blushes; a galaxy image in the background; and bloom and chromatic aberration filters applied on top.

So the SWIMS squad decided it’d be a grand idea to travel back in time to 2016 and live out their lives in that timeline, so they look like this now. Sorry, chat… 💔

#CRJSWIMS #ObjectShowCommunity

Updates from CRJ (where I’ve been—and what’s next) YouTube video by StudioCRJ

YouTube link (re-uploaded in order to fix an error):
youtu.be/A9ZwnInFMyI

An image featuring a photograph of me with various design elements to the right, including the logos for SWIMS and FlashMade; application icons for Adobe Animate, Affinity, and Adobe Photoshop; and the text “Where have I been?” Below this is large text that reads “Updates from CRJ,” with text below that reads “Tonight at 6 PM EST” and points to the YouTube icon.

My name is Carter Janik, and I am the creator of StudioCRJ.

If you recognize either of those names, please watch my newest YouTube video releasing tonight at 6 PM EST. I have a few updates I wanna share. 💙

#CRJSWIMS #ObjectShowCommunity #BFDI #InanimateInsanity

A design featuring simple illustrations of my objectsona and members of the SWIMS cast (top to bottom: Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, Iris, and Luna) with “Happy New Year!” written above and “Update video coming soon!” written below.

Happy New Year, everyone!!! :D 🎉💙
Keep an eye out for an update video coming soon to my YouTube channel!

#OSC #ObjectShowCommunity

SWIMS—In Pixels. Aseprite; 432 px × 252 px. A pixel art illustration of the eighteen cast members of SWIMS standing on a grass plane surrounded by a dirt path, depicted with a top-down perspective. Row 1 (from left to right): Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, Iris, Luna, Kate, Chris, Blake, and Vivian. Row 2 (from left to right): Grant, Rose, Presley, Elliott, Oscar, Beatrice, Pepper, and Frank. Color palette: © PineappleOnPizza.

🖌️ SWIMS—In Pixels

Decided to revamp my old pixel art piece from 2023 but with all the new #CRJSWIMS characters and designs! This time, I wanted to make them truer to their actual designs/proportions and make them animate a little. Oh, and Luna’s very silly as always. :)

#OSC #pear36

Drawings of my eighteen original characters for my upcoming animated project, SWIMS. These drawings depict the current character designs with simplified limbs and facial features. From left to right: Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, Iris, Luna, Kate, Chris, Blake, Vivian, Grant, Rose, Presley, Elliott, Oscar, Beatrice, Pepper, and Frank.

I talked about this on Twitter already, but I think I’m gonna start sharing stuff I’m working on more casually in the future, since I’d rather not keep you guys waiting for polished content for eons.
To start, here’s some new drawings of my OCs for #CRJSWIMS! Who do you guys like the most??

#OSC

Iris Kōsetsu (降雪あいりす) is a snow-woman with an extra-light purple body, dark gray buttons, a red carrot nose, a light yellow sun hat with purple accents, and legs. Her pronouns are she/her, and she is female and pansexual. She is 27 years old (born March 2, 1998) and 5′ 6¼″. Her description reads: “In spite of her icy composition, Iris is a kind and caring lady who thrives best in the warmth of friendship. Her benevolence is immediately apparent to anyone who gets interviewed by her, for she’s very fond of her hometown and loves to write all about it as an independent journalist. But if there’s something she loves even more, it’s sharing the world with Myles and friends and especially dearest Grant.” Her relationships are: • Partner: Grant • Friends: Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, Rose, Elliott, Presley, Vivian, Kate, and Chris • Acquaintances: Blake and Beatrice Abilities include: • Ice creation and manipulation Disabilities include: • Armless • Water freezing by touch

(5/17)
And to round off the friend group, it’s Iris Kōsetsu, the snow-woman with the warmest of hearts! ☃️
(P.S. Her actual name is 降雪あいりす, but you can just call her Iris!)

Spencer Vibratek is a 59″ OLED TV with a dark purple body, a light purple face on his display, and legs. His pronouns are he/him, and he is male and aroace. He is 27 years old (born August 12, 1997) and 5′ 3¼″. His description reads: “Digital devices are a big part of Spencer’s life—and not just because he himself is a digital device. Rumor has it that one day, he started offering tech assistance to his pals as a kind gesture, and he’s simply never stopped. Now, he serves all of Brightfield as “the IT guy,” and when he’s not out and about, he’ll act as the living room TV in his friend group’s shared home. (Movie nights are his favorite!)” His relationships are: • Sister: Vivian • Friends: Warren, Myles, Sam, Iris, Blake, Kate, Chris, Rose, and Grant • Acquaintances: Beatrice, Pepper, Presley, and Elliott Abilities include: • Wireless device connectivity • Manipulation of connected cables Disabilities include: • Armless

(4/17)
Here comes the technological mastermind (with good intentions, of course): Spencer Vibratek! 📺

Warren Aquarius is a bottled water dispenser with a gray body and cup dispenser, a pale blue jug, and legs. His pronouns are he/him, and he is male and gay. He is 28 years old (born April 20, 1997) and 6′. His description reads: “The most important things in life are water and money—at least, that’s how Warren puts it. He’s a very analytical young man, and numbers flow through him almost effortlessly, hence his thriving career as a personal financial advisor. Outside of work, he can often be seen hanging out with Myles and friends and offering everyone drinks of Earth’s finest beverage (don’t worry: it’s purified).” Relationships are: • Friends: Myles, Sam, Spencer, Iris, Rose, Vivian, Kate, Chris, and Grant • Acquaintances: Beatrice and Pepper Abilities include: • Jug refillable by drinking Disabilities include: • Armless • Autism spectrum disorder and anxiety (comorbidity)

(3/17)
Thirsty? It’s OK: it happens to be the best of us. Luckily, Warren Aquarius is here to help! 🚰

Sam Woodsworth is an oak signpost with brown features, a green scarf, arms, and legs. Their pronouns are they/them, and they are non-binary and androsexual. They are 26 years old (born October 20, 1998) and 5′ 2½″. Their description reads: “Whenever someone needs a helping hand, a source of encouragement, or a sense of direction, Sam is always willing! They’re the most optimistic of their core friend group, and it’s usually their job to put smiles on everyone’s faces, especially the light of their life (and friend since childhood), Myles. They also enjoy photographing the world around them and spending time with loved ones.” Relationships are: • Partner: Myles • Parents: Kate and Chris • Brother: Blake • Friends: Warren, Iris, Spencer, Grant, Rose, and Vivian • Acquaintance: Beatrice Abilities include: • Engraved graphics on face Disabilities include: • Inability to eat or drink

(2/17)
Sam Woodsworth might not be as bright visually, but they’ll show the way to happiness alright! 🪧

Myles Fotona is a table lamp with a gray shade, a blue body, azure glass elements, arms, legs, and a power cord tail. His pronouns are he/him, and he is male and bisexual. He is 28 years old (born July 12, 1997) and 5′ 7″. His description reads: “Out of all the citizens of the Town of Brightfield, Myles is surely the brightest! He always has fresh and imaginative ideas sparking up in his mind, whether its a concept for his next graphic design client or just a plan for a fun night out. His secret? It’s his loving partner Sam and BFFs Warren, Spencer, and Iris who inspire him day after day, and he would do anything to return the favor.” His relationships are: • Partner: Sam • Pet: Luna • Friends: Warren, Spencer, Iris, Blake, Kate, Chris, Vivian, Grant, and Rose • Acquaintances: Beatrice and Pepper Abilities include: • Self-powered light bulb Disabilities include: • Autism spectrum disorder

(1/17)
Starting with the brightest of them all, it’s Myles Fotona! 🛋️

The SWIMS logo and the words “Meet the cast!” surrounded by simple illustrations of the five protagonists (Myles, Sam, Warren, Spencer, and Iris).

Welcome to the official account of SWIMS, an animation and illustration project featuring the best friend group of five you could ever ask for and more!! Speaking of, let’s meet the main cast, shall we? 🧵
#CRJSWIMS #OSC