Selected Work
A collection of independent, collaborative, and experimental work spanning visual design, making, interactive media, and mathematical graphing.
01
A collection of illustrated assets and animated sprites for Sunpuddle, a Construct3-made visual-focused game project done solo.
Part I
RoleSolo illustrator and developer
ToolsConstruct3, Clip Studio Paint
TeamSolo
StatusRetired before release
Context
Sunpuddle was my first solo endeavor when it came to game design, and I imagined a cozy farming game (a bit like Stardew Valley) but with more character interaction features and a painted storybook feeling. The assets were drawn in CSP while the game engine used was Construct3 due to its superior handling of graphics and manipulating visual effects.
Process
Since it was an open world, lots of assets were needed to fill all the space and the different items and furniture had to be interactable too! From dandelion plants that released seeds, to crop planting mechanisms and fishing minigames everything had to be individually painted and coded into the game.
Drag the magnets around
Takeaway
Sunpuddle taught me how much an open-world game asks of a solo developer, and how fast my own art could grow. My illustration style improved so much over the project that finishing it cohesively would have meant redrawing most of the early assets, on top of a time commitment I couldn't keep up with as a student. I chose to retire it, and I now scope projects with that in mind: a smaller world, a fixed art style, and a clear finish line.
Part II
A promotional video, character animation, and gameplay scenes developed for Sketchy Secret, a Godot-based collaborative project done with Nadine McMahon (a student at USC).
ToolsGodot
TeamWith Nadine McMahon (USC)
StatusLevel 1 of 3 complete and tested
Context
Sketchy Secret is a mystery game that follows the detective Bri as she looks for the missing artists. It turns out that they are trapped inside their own artwork, and she has to explore the worlds they've imagined in order to find the root of the problems that trapped them in the first place.
Outcome
The first level (out of three) was completed and tested, but the rest of the game was put on hold when my game development partner and I went to different universities. We hope to pick it up and finish it someday.
02
A solo art exhibition featuring eight of my original art pieces I curated for cohesive narrative experiences.
Context
I received this opportunity by submitting a proposal for a solo art exhibition to a committee, where my proposal was reviewed and accepted so that I could begin installing. The exhibition was promoted through flyers and emails and was up for four months.
Outcome
The exhibition was also photographed and saved in the library's digital archives, preserving its presence for future generations.
03
A MATLAB-based educational game combining generated maps, math problems, and a text-driven adventure.
ToolsMATLAB
CourseIntro to MATLAB final project
Levels3, from 2D maps to a 3D map
MathVectors, dot product, cross product
Context
This began as the final project of my introductory MATLAB course in university, and eventually also became a study tool for myself when preparing for my Multivariable Calculus final exam. It is designed to have 3 levels that progress in difficulty, featuring different maps and math problems.
>> VectorVenturesFinal
Please enter your character name: Jianna
Welcome, Jianna!
Please prepare your calculator, paper and pencil! Enter Contrl C to close the game.
Take a look at the map. We are at the white square. You can move the legend, as well check the points of each shape by hovering over and clicking them.
Do you see the blue circle? That is my friend Victors store. He buys and sells antiques; maybe he has some clues as to where the treasure is.
What are the coordinates of Victors store? Enter in the form [x, y]: [0.2, 0.9]
Nice! You found the location of Victors store!
What is the vector between us and Victors store? (Use the form [f, g] with one decimal place, e.g. [0.2, -0.3]): [-0.1, 0.5]
Good going, Jianna! This vector represents the direction and magnitude (displacement) to get from our spot to Victors store.
Level 01
This is essentially the tutorial level, featuring very light math but mainly adjusting the player to the text based format and the problem solving system.
Level 02
A new map is generated here for players to start applying what they've learned. Players are introduced to more complex concepts, such as the dot product.
Level 03
Finally, players are advanced to a 3D map and given vectors with x,y and z-values. They're now recalling concepts from earlier in the 2D space and working with concepts like cross product.
Welcome to level 2! Lets move onto our exploration of the Planeful Plains in our search for the treasure. I, Jiwi, the legendary treasure hunter, know exactly where to start! What is the vector between us and Hill 1? (Use the form [f, g], e.g. [2, -3]): [11,9] Youre an expert at this now Jianna! This vector represents the direction and magnitude (displacement) to get from our spot to Hill 1. While you were doing that, I found the vector from us to Hill 2, its [0 -9]. Perfect! We should find the multiplication of our vectors together! When you multiply a scalar (a singular quantity with only magnitude and no direction) by a vector, each part of the vector gets multipled by that scalar. What is the dot product of the vector from us to Hill 2 and the vector from us to Hill 3? (Answer should be scalar):
04
In progress
Photos and a write-up of the props are on their way.