RUN SHEEDA RUN

Comic & Illustrated Series

Character-driven illustrated series expanding a mobile game universe

Character sheet for Sheeda with front and side views and various expressive facial sketches.

Overview

Led the development of Run Sheeda Run Comics during my time at we.R.play, a game development studio. The project focused on expanding the universe of the Run Sheeda Run mobile game through narrative-driven comics and visual world-building.

Worked closely with the CEO and a cross-functional team to take the project from concept through to ongoing publication.
ROLE:
Creative Lead
SCOPE:
Story development, storyboarding, character and environment design, illustration, content strategy, social media, website design, print coordination
Cartoon boy smiling at a rooster inside a circular blue frame with floral accents and Run Sheeda Run Comics logo.

Challenge

The goal was to translate an existing mobile game into a rich narrative format, expanding its world through characters, environments, and storytelling that could engage audiences beyond gameplay.
Game start screen with a butcher, caged chickens, a boy running, and buttons labeled Friends and Shop.
Video game scene of a character running down a street with signs for mosque, bazaar, zero point, and park.
Game screen showing a character, score 55 new best, coins 11, and options to shop, map, and run.

Approach

The project was developed as a character-driven narrative rooted in local culture and lived experiences. The visual and storytelling direction drew inspiration from the culture, architecture, and everyday life of Lahore, Pakistan.

Working from the existing game concept, I expanded the universe by developing storylines, creating new characters, and refining existing ones. The approach combined episodic storytelling with ongoing content releases, allowing the narrative to evolve over time while maintaining a consistent visual language.

Visual System

The project was developed and executed across multiple formats and touchpoints:
  • Character and environment design
  • Story development, scripts, and storyboards
  • Short-form and long-form comic illustration
  • Weekly comic releases for social media
  • Interactive and campaign-based content
  • Website design and digital presence
  • Collaboration with illustrators, writers, and motion designers
  • Preparation for print production and distribution

Character Design

These are the characters I designed for the comics based on their descriptions. Barfi and Qasai ki Laadliyan were a couple of fun additions I made to the universe.
Character sheet for Sheeda with front and side views and various expressive facial sketches.
Character sheet of a cartoon chicken showing multiple poses, emotions, and a color palette.
Cartoon character Nana shown front, back, and side views wearing blue outfit and glasses.
Character sheet of an elderly woman with glasses, green scarf, and pink traditional outfit in multiple poses and expressions.
Cartoon character Ustaad Jee in front, side, back views with three facial expressions above.
Character sheet of animated dog Barfi showing side, front, and back views with a purple scarf.
Black cat character with yellow eyes in different poses and facial expressions on white background.
Character Barfi: brown dog with purple collar, fearless and loyal, rescued as injured puppy by Halwai.
Three black cats with yellow eyes sitting together against a red background with character info text.

GIF Animation

To bring the characters to life, I illustrated and animated GIFs that were eventually used on the Run Sheeda Run website.
Animation of a boy in yellow shirt and red shorts standing beside a brown rooster on purple background waving hello.
Animation of a chicken jumping and flapping its wings on a purple background.
Animation of a boy and chicken riding a decorated green rickshaw on a blue background.
Animation of a boy smiling with eyes closed, wearing yellow shirt, red shorts, blue sandals, dancing on purple background.
Animation of a boy doing squats and sweating nervously standing next to cheerful rooster on purple background.
Animation of a rooster skipping rope with determined expression on light blue background.
Animation of a boy in yellow shirt and red shorts holding a cricket bat and striking a red ball on purple background.
Animation of a boy with black hair running wearing a yellow shirt, red shorts, and blue flip-flops.
Animation of a boy in yellow shirt and red shorts running with a brown chicken on gray background.
Animation of a boy in yellow shirt and red shorts running alongside a flapping chicken on a purple background.

Environment Design

I designed key environments from scratch based on real life locations and childhood memories.
Black cat character with yellow eyes in different poses and facial expressions on white background.

Comics

The release of Run Sheeda Run Comics started with weekly single-panel short comics and evolved into long-form and print.
Woman advised to make tea wears gloves and goggles but uses toxic chemicals, giving bad tea to a green-faced woman.
Woman overwhelmed by chores imagines cooking, ironing, studying, then relaxes watching TV with drink.
Comic of a boy calling another, waiting for a match, showing increasing wait times and eventual disappointment in bed.

Social Media

I managed the social media platforms for Run Sheeda Run, including concepts, illustration as well as follower engagement. Weekly posts included interactive games and puzzles as well as events.
Angry man with cleavers chasing scared boy holding a chicken, surrounded by goats and cats, text says Eid Mubarak.
Cartoon group of diverse girls and women with text Happy International Women's Day on pink background.
Eid Mubarak greeting with colorful letters, crescent moon, and nighttime city skyline background.
Black and white hidden objects puzzle with cats, knives, and various kitchen items in a cluttered room.
Puzzle asks why Chicken didn’t cross the road using symbols decoded by a key for letters.
Black-and-white spot the difference puzzle with cartoon girl chasing a running chicken, a hand reaching in.
Three cartoon circles show a boy with a chicken, expressing shock, laughter, and frustration respectively.

Outcome

The series was published as a weekly digital comic, completing multiple chapters and building an engaged audience through ongoing content and interaction. Print versions were developed for distribution, though they were not ultimately released.

More Illustration Projects

Cartoon orange cat wearing blue goggles, green scarf, and brown jacket, holding a device with flames in the background.
EXPLOTTENS

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Decorative clock with Roman numerals and two statues, part of a portal inside a station's roof.
LEGENDS OF LEARNING

Narrative Trailer & Storyboards

Illustrated intro trailer focused on character and visual storytelling
Front and back of a book with sketches of a worried woman wearing a head cover, one on black and the other on white background.
GRAPHIC NOVEL - EK INAYAT

Storyboard & Illustration

Urdu graphic novel exploring the lives of domestic workers in Pakistan

Let's work together

Feel free to drop me a message.

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© 2026 Amna Saleem. All rights reserved