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S.P.A. / SAEDI — ED Design Rules & Asset Control

Overview​

This document defines the technical art rules, visual system, and asset control framework for Employment Droid (ED) production.

The goal is to ensure:

  • Consistent visual language across all EDs
  • Scalable asset generation without combinatorial explosion
  • Deterministic rendering and derivation of badge states
  • Predictable production workflows aligned with seasonal rollout

This document governs how ED visuals are built, not how they behave.

Core Principle​

ED visuals do not express emotion.

ED visuals represent the state of execution.

Each scene presents one of two valid realities:

  • Composed — structured, aligned, intentional
  • Disrupted — incomplete, chaotic, or misaligned

Both states must remain:

  • Non-judgemental
  • Visually engaging
  • Contextually relevant

Visual System Structure​

Each ED render is composed of:

  • Droid Model (ED1–ED6)
  • Pose (daily operational state)
  • Seasonal Variant (environment/theme)
  • Badge State (achievement display)

Daily Pose System (4 Core States)​

Each ED model must support four base poses.

1. Composed / Stable​

Balanced posture, clean silhouette.

Represents:

  • Completion
  • Readiness
  • Alignment

2. Disrupted / Attention Required​

Subtle imbalance or environmental inconsistency.

Represents:

  • Missing inputs
  • Incomplete workflows
  • Required action

3. Baseline / Processing​

Neutral, symmetrical posture.

Represents:

  • Routine activity
  • Ongoing shifts
  • Standard operations

4. Momentum / Engagement​

Forward-leaning, active stance.

Represents:

  • High engagement
  • Meaningful tasks
  • Forward progress

Seasonal Variant System​

Seasonal variants modify the environment and presentation of base poses.

Each season includes:

  • Composed variant — ideal execution of the theme
  • Disrupted variant — imperfect or chaotic execution

Example — Christmas​

Composed:

  • Full Santa attire
  • Perfect tree
  • Clean lighting

Disrupted:

  • Partial costume
  • Tangled lights
  • Environmental disruption

Design Rule​

The environment communicates the state.
The droid does not express emotion.

Badge System (Early Phase)​

Badge states supported:

  • No badge
  • Single badge (A–E)

Total states: 6

Rendering Strategy​

To avoid exponential asset growth, ED visuals are generated using a mask-based derivation system.

Base Renders (Required)​

For each:

  • Droid
  • Pose
  • Seasonal variant

Render:

  1. Base (no badges)
  2. All badges visible

Mask-Based Generation​

Each badge has a predefined mask.

Badge states are generated by:

  • Starting from the all-badge render
  • Replacing removed badge regions using the base render

Asset Counts (Initial System)​

Source Assets​

4 droids × 12 pose/season variants × 2 renders = 96 images

Derived Outputs​

4 droids × 12 variants × 6 badge states = 288 outputs

Technical Art Constraints​

Fixed Badge Zones​

  • Identical placement per droid and pose
  • No overlap between badges

Lighting Isolation​

  • Badges must not cast shadows
  • No glow or lighting interaction with the body

Pixel Consistency​

  • Base and all-badge renders must match exactly except for badge areas

Camera Lock​

  • Fixed camera, angle, and resolution across all renders

Production Workflow​

For each droid / pose / seasonal variant:

  1. Apply pose and lock camera
  2. Render base (no badges)
  3. Render all badges
  4. Export badge masks
  5. Store assets using naming convention

Naming Convention​

ED{#}POSE{#}{SEASON}_base.png
ED{#}POSE{#}{SEASON}_all.png
ED{#}POSE{#}{SEASON}mask{badge}.png

Asset Control Strategy​

Generation Model​

  • Assets are generated once per configuration
  • Derived variants are cached and reused
  • No full permutation rendering

Seasonal Production​

Assets are produced in scheduled batches:

  • Core poses first
  • Seasonal variants aligned to calendar timing
  • No out-of-season production

Expansion Path​

  • Additional droid models (ED5–ED6)
  • Multi-badge states (2+)
  • Optional animation layers

Visual Philosophy​

  • EDs support, never judge
  • EDs reduce friction, not apply pressure
  • ED visuals reflect system state, not user emotion

Summary​

The ED Design Rules system ensures:

  • Minimal base asset count
  • Maximum derived flexibility
  • Consistent visual language
  • Scalable long-term production

This allows the ED system to grow without increasing complexity or maintenance overhead.