HazeOut & JournalX
Bridging Function and Fun: A Design Exploration in JournalX and HazeOut projects This showcase takes you on a design journey through two distinct projects: JournalX, an iteration on Apple's Journal app, and Hazeout, a game in development. While seemingly different at first glance, both projects highlight my ability to adapt design skills to address unique challenges and craft user-centric experiences. JournalX focuses on enhancing an established productivity tool, while Hazeout delves into the world of game level design and iconography.
Client:
ADA
Role:
Developer
Year:
2023-2024
The Challenge
JournalX:
Enhancing Familiarity: How to iterate on Apple's Journal app while preserving its intuitive core and ensuring users feel at home.
Personalization: Creating flexible customization options that empower users to express their unique personalities and journaling styles.
Visual Harmony: Developing a visual language that complements Apple's design ethos while adding a distinctive touch.
Hazeout:
Iconography: Distilling the essence of a complex game into a simple, visually striking icon.
Level Design: Crafting engaging levels that challenge players while maintaining a sense of fun and discovery.
Balancing Aesthetics and Gameplay: Ensuring that the game's visual elements enhance, rather than detract from, the core gameplay experience.
Process
Research & Mood Boards: Immersing myself in Apple's design principles for JournalX and creating mood boards to capture Hazeout's atmosphere and aesthetic direction.
User/Player Feedback: Gathering insights from existing Journal users to identify pain points and potential areas for improvement in JournalX, and conducting playtesting for Hazeout to refine level design and ensure the game is both challenging and enjoyable.
Prototyping & Level Design: Rapidly iterating on design concepts for JournalX, exploring different layouts, color schemes, and interaction patterns. Simultaneously, developing detailed level maps and flowcharts for Hazeout, considering pacing, difficulty curves, and opportunities for player interaction.
Visual Design & Integration: Developing a custom icon set and typography for JournalX that aligns with Apple's aesthetic while infusing it with personality. For Hazeout, working closely with the development team to ensure that the game's art style and level design seamlessly integrate.
Personalization Engine (JournalX): Designing a flexible system that allows users to choose themes, fonts, and even interactive elements to tailor the app to their preferences.
Solution
JournalX:
An enhanced version of Apple's Journal app that retains familiarity while offering robust personalization options and a unique visual language. The accompanying keynote presentation seamlessly integrates the app's design elements with compelling screenshots and user testimonials, offering an engaging overview of its features and benefits.
Hazeout:
A game with captivating level design, intuitive iconography, and a visually striking aesthetic that seamlessly integrates with gameplay. The promotional poster and keynote presentation encapsulate the game's atmosphere, showcasing its art style, characters, and environments through stunning visuals, further enticing players to explore its mysterious world.
Key takeaways
Versatility in Design: The ability to adapt design skills to different mediums and projects, creating cohesive visual identities across various platforms.
Building on Established Foundations: Iterating on familiar design patterns can accelerate user adoption and create a sense of comfort.
The Power of Personalization: Customization empowers users and fosters a deeper connection to the product.
Iterative Design is Key: Rapid prototyping and user feedback are essential for refining design solutions and ensuring they meet user needs.
Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality: In games, visual elements should enhance gameplay, not overshadow it.
Communication Through Visuals: Posters serve as powerful marketing tools, capable of capturing attention and conveying key messages through impactful visuals.
