Burn the word

As the Lead Artist for Burn the Words, I created the visual identity of the game, where every graphic element plays a crucial role in the player’s experience. The art direction was built on a saturated color palette, accessible to a young audience, using balanced compositions, strong color contrasts, and fluid animations. The creative process was iterative, based on continuous testing and feedback to ensure an intuitive and engaging gameplay experience.

Key Contributions:

• Art Direction: Established a cohesive visual style, ensuring harmony between characters, environments, and objects.
• UI/UX Design: Designed and implemented a clear and intuitive interface optimized for mobile devices, enhancing game clarity and player engagement.
• Game Logo: Created a logo that reflects the narrative and strategic essence of the game.
• Character Design: Designed and illustrated a charismatic dragon, the wizard’s companion, playing a significant role in the game’s atmosphere. I also animated the character.
• Collaboration: Worked closely with the team to align visual aspects with game mechanics, improving the overall user experience.
• Efficiency: Delivered high-quality assets within strict deadlines while maintaining the artistic integrity of the game.

Pre-Production

During this phase, I established the artistic direction and outlined the fundamental elements of the puzzle game. I focused on visual storytelling, developing a cohesive set of characters and environments, each carefully illustrated with attention to detail and composition. Since the primary target audience consisted of children aged 6 to 14, I conducted style and character research, opting for a vivid and attractive color palette. The 2D graphics were hand-drawn in Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing visual clarity and appealing details.

• Core Concept: The game revolves around a main scene featuring a book with letters arranged in columns, while in the background, a large window reveals a fantastic dragon – the wizard’s friend, disturbed by outside noises. The player's goal is to discover as many words as possible by connecting letters with a continuous line.
• Character Design: The friendly dragon, the player’s companion, was designed as an expressive, colorful character suited to the target audience, with fluid animations reflecting its emotions. Secondary characters were created with a simplified yet memorable design, maintaining a perfect visual balance for young players.
• Environments: Illustrated backgrounds representing the four seasons were created to provide visual variety and a sense of progress in the game.
• Animations: Characters and effects were created using 2D sprites, layering frames to achieve smooth movements.
• Visual Effects: Special effects were integrated to highlight gameplay actions, such as glows, magical dust, and animated effects for word discovery.

UX/UI – Functionality & Design

A well-thought-out interface transforms a good game into an exceptional one. I designed the UI/UX with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and seamless integration between aesthetics and functionality.

UX/UI Design Decisions:

• Intuitive Navigation – Menu structures were designed logically, simplifying access to information. Large buttons and clear visual feedback were implemented to support users of all ages.
• Smooth Interactions – UI animations are subtle yet effective, providing instant visual feedback.
• Visual Consistency – Every UI element follows the overall artistic style, creating a cohesive experience.
• Monetization – The game was designed with multiple levels, progressing from simple to complex. Players received rewards in the form of bonuses for successfully completing levels. The monetization model was free-to-play, with optional purchases for bonuses that facilitate gameplay progression.

The development process included testing sessions and adjustments based on user behavior, ensuring an optimized gaming experience for mobile devices.