Military Stealth DBG
The project is an in-development military stealth deck-builder game similar to yet distinct from the indie smash-hit Slay the Spire. I was brought on to create a single high-fidelity UI mockup for use in pitching. My background in illustration came in handy, as the client was looking for a diegetic and cartoony interface style.
I was asked to deliver the final mockup in just one week. My natural affinity for weaving feedback and iteration into my process was integral to the delivery being made on time.
Click on an image to enlarge it.
My Process
As is generally the smart thing to do, I began with a mood board.
Military software a la action cinema pairs well with rugged glitches and vintage scanlines. I added stylized rendering and exaggerated, toony shape language for a one-of-a-kind vibe.
Red, green, and dark gray come together for an edgy yet put-together digital feel. This classic combination was a natural palette choice.
Initially, I envisioned the interface as a single screen with high-tech overlays. The client asked me to try framing off components as though they were separate, smaller screens clustered together. This second iteration was the look we proceeded with.
Rather than create the hi-fi mockup in Figma, I moved to my art program of choice so I could more easily mimic the UI asset production pipeline. Before painting, I exaggerated the shapes of the lo-fi mockup to enhance its cartoon feel.
The client asked for a wide array of specific changes to encourage a diegetic and interactive feel. I have included a few snippets of previous drafts below to showcase my versatility.
Final Deliverable
A picture is worth a thousand words, and I believe that's especially true in the case of mockups like this. The final design is gritty yet playful while retaining legiblility. It's evocative of thematic staples like Metal Gear Solid, but the stylized, toony look gives it distinction, with just enough texture to enhance immersion.
It was a privilege to have a hand in such a promising project so early in its development.