ApeBoyWired is a creative portfolio by John Regalado.

100% AI-generated portrait of a young chimpanzee with cybernetic forehead implants in a dark cinematic setting

I created Ape Boy Wired as a creative laboratory where 80s and 90s pop culture meets advanced, yet intentionally imperfect, visual experimentation. This project is a personal challenge to prove I can build, manage, and scale a cohesive brand on social media using 100% generative tools.

The Secret in the Name: If you haven't spotted it yet, Ape Boy Wired is an anagram for Powered by AI. It’s a nod to the engine behind the art, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and the grainy, tactile memories of my childhood.

100% Synthetic. 100% Cozy.

AI puppet-style rendition of Steve Urkel wearing glasses and suspenders with a tactile felt and foam texture

Everything you see on this channel is 100% AI-generated. No physical clay was touched, and no real puppets were filmed. I use AI as my digital clay to sculpt a specific "cozy" aesthetic that pushes back against the sterile, hyper-realistic trends of modern generative art.

AI claymation art of Chunk from The Goonies doing the Truffle Shuffle with realistic plasticine textures

My work focuses on:

  • The Claymation Aesthetic: I specialize in recreating the tactile feel of plasticine, puppet-styled characters, and the jittery energy of stop-motion.
  • Intentional Imperfection: I lean into soft edges, exaggerated features, and the "flawed" textures that mirror how we remember the past in our minds.
  • The Nostalgia Hook: I re-interpret the shared cultural DNA of the 1981–1996 demographic, from Saturday morning cartoons to VCR-era pop culture.

A Living Brand Case Study

AI-generated cinematic close-up of Dwight Schrute and Ron Swanson in a high-tension face-off with warm tones

I built Ape Boy Wired to serve as a high-level demonstration of brand architecture and audience engagement. It is my personal proof-of-concept—a living portfolio that showcases exactly what it takes to execute a consistent content strategy in the age of synthetic media. Through this project, I demonstrate:

  • Brand Development: Cultivating a recognizable, "lo-fi" aesthetic that cuts through the noise of a high-gloss digital world.
  • Strategic AI Direction: Proving that while the output is 100% AI, the success of the brand is driven by human creative direction and cultural awareness.
  • Real-Time Growth: Managing a cohesive social media presence that prioritizes emotional connection and consistency over fleeting trends.

Connect & Explore

80s Saturday morning cartoon style AI art of Daniel LaRusso from Karate Kid with a grainy paper texture

I'm constantly evolving the Ape Boy Wired universe, pushing the boundaries of what "Powered by AI" can actually feel like. Follow the journey on Instagram and TikTok to see the latest experiments.

Learn to Architect Synthetic Media. Get behind the scenes of Ape Boy Wired. Sign up below for future guides on advanced AI creative direction, from mastering the claymation aesthetic to managing a consistent social media brand with generative tools.

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Ape Boy Wired (@ apeboywired ) • Instagram photos and videos