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Visual Communication
Why is Visual Communication Important?
Visual communication connects viewers to meaning. It is immediate, attention-catching, and clear.
Documentation can be a slog if it isn't made visual. A game development team requires constant, efficient, and foolproof communication.
For players, visual communication guides how to play games in a fast, intuitive fashion.
Card Game Instructions
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
Iteration 3
Playtesting and Revision
Playing the game with two groups, I recorded observations and made changes based on their mistakes.
View Iterations
Current
Horror Platformer Assets
Giganticness in 2D
Communicating the setting for this game was a tall order: a children's classroom that is gigantic compared to the player (a teddy bear).
To accomplish this, I added lots of detailed, gritty textures into things we would normally consider small but were huge next to the player.
Implied Function / Usage
With environments made of random objects, I had to communicate different mechanics.
A darkened book with objects placed in front of it showed it could be used to hide, but could not be climbed on.
Trucks had wheels, and so could clearly be pushed.
Jars were transparent, and therefore could not work as hiding places.
Jars and books had the added bonus of being very scalable, horizontally or vertically.
Design Goals
This book is where players hear story and make choices. It's also where they learn from success and failure.
Rapid Iteration
These are iterations of UI before the next art pass. While other layouts were more beautiful, dividing the book into two pages (narrative and resources) was most functional.
GIF
Woes and Win Conditions
Players must navigate the rules to win or die.
Notifications point the player to elements of importance - the resources. Gold, the win condition, is most highlighted.
Rules appear when hovering over resources, acting as a constant guide. Gold's "win condition" rule is highlighted red.
Changes in quantities are emphasized: smooth motion, color changes, and flashing numbers capture the player's attention.
Running out of any resource will result in a loss - signified by the red, flashing skull that appears when they choose a deadly choice.
GIF
Designer-Friendly Script
This easy-to-use designer window helped speed up narrative implementation.
Unannounced Title
Engaging Visual GDD
Throughout the creation of this GDD, I was dedicated to making it engaging, informative, and readable for the rest of the development team and whoever might join the team after I left the project. I accomplished this through clear diagrams, custom art, and appealing visual organization.
Economy Section of GDD
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