I conducted colorblindness testing to ensure our players could quickly and easily distinguish characters and environments. Using filters to simulate eight types of colorblindness, I adjusted palettes, added contrasting patterns, and refined outlines to improve clarity and readability. The result was a visually distinct experience that maintained the game’s artistic style while remaining accessible and inclusive.

Process
• Simulated Colorblindness: Tested all eight major types for visibility accuracy.

• Refined Palettes: Adjusted hues to ensure clear differentiation across gameplay.

• Enhanced Contrast: Added pattern and outline variations to aid recognition.

• Preserved Art Direction: Balanced clarity with the game’s established tone.

• Expanded Accessibility: Ensured visual inclusivity without sacrificing style.

I led the implementation of OpenDyslexic in Knuckle Knockout to improve menu and text accessibility for players with dyslexia. I initiated the idea, conducted playtesting, and refined the font’s integration to ensure its heavier bottoms and distinct letterforms enhanced readability while matching the game’s style. As someone who personally benefits from the font, I aimed to extend that accessibility to others.

Process
• Proposed Feature: Identified readability barriers and introduced OpenDyslexic.

• Collaborated with Design: Coordinated with the UI layout team to align readability and tone.

• Led UX Implementation: Oversaw font integration across menus to ensure consistency.

• Playtested: Conducted focused testing and refined spacing based on player feedback.

I refined Knuckle Knockout’splayer controller through extensive user testing to balance excitement with player comfort. Early builds caused motion sickness and overstimulation from excessive screen shake and rapid feedback. By iterating on camera motion, impact timing, and visual effects, I preserved the game’s energetic “rattling” feel while ensuring players could enjoy fast-paced action without discomfort or sensory overload.

Process
• Identified UX Issue: Observed motion sickness and overstimulation during early playtests.

• Collected Player Feedback: Measured comfort levels and pinpointed visual stress points.

• Refined Feedback Systems: Adjusted camera motion, timing, and screen shake intensity.

• Validated Through Testing: Ensured comfort improvements without losing game energy.

• Balanced Feel and Accessibility: Preserved excitement while minimizing sensory strain.

I selectedBaloo as Knuckle Knockout’s primary UI font to match the game’s bold, rounded character design and express its playful tone. Baloo’s soft curves and thick strokes visually tied the interface to the art direction, creating a cohesive look across menus and gameplay. Its clarity and legibility supported fast-paced readability, while the toggleable OpenDyslexic option ensured style and inclusivity worked together to enhance the overall experience.

Process
• Unified Style: Ensured visual cohesion across both menus and in-game elements.

• Tested Player Preference: Conducted rapid print-based font tests to identify favorites.

• Selected Baloo Typeface: Chose bold, rounded forms to reflect personality and energy.

• Prioritized Readability: Verified font clarity for quick, confident player recognition.

• Qualitative Research: Confirmed Baloo as the most readable and fitting choice.

I designed Knuckle Knockout’scredits menu to reflect the game’s world and energy, avoiding a detached, static list. Each developer’s name and title appeared on in-game elements like platforms and stage props, maintaining visual cohesion with the environments players had just fought in. The result was a playful, high-energy scene that celebrated the team while keeping the UI consistent with the game’s tone and personality.

Process
• Grounded in Gameplay: Integrated credits into interactive, in-world elements.

• Defined Visual Tone: Matched layout energy with the game’s bold aesthetic.

• Maintained Cohesion: Ensured credits aligned with in-game visual language.

• Celebrated Team Spirit: Framed each contributor as part of the playful world.

• Enhanced Experience: Turned a static list into an engaging, stylistically scene.

I redesigned Knuckle Knockout’s pause menu to reduce overstimulation and improve player comfort during intense matches. Early iterations were visually overwhelming, combining bright colors, fast transitions, and heavy motion. Through iterative testing and visual refinement, I created a cleaner, calmer interface that maintained the game’s playful tone.

Process
• Identified UX Issue: Found players overwhelmed by motion and color intensity.

• Conducted Player Testing: Collected feedback to understand comfort preferences.

• Refined Visual Layout: Simplified transitions and reduced competing motion.

• Improved Readability: Adjusted contrast and hues for easier visual scanning.

• Balanced Energy and Clarity: Preserved the game’s lively tone without overstimulation.

I refined screen shake design to balance impact, clarity, and player comfort. Each punch, collision, and stage hazard was tuned to feel powerful without causing motion sickness or visual fatigue. By layering shake intensity, duration, and direction through iterative playtesting, I calibrated the camera to amplify energy while maintaining control and readability.

Process
• Tuned Impact Values: Balanced screen shake intensity, and duration in a custom engine.

• Iterated Through Testing: Adjusted values to align feel with gameplay rhythm.

• User Research: Analyzed player feedback to define comfort thresholds for shake strength.

• Contextual Use: Determined where shake enhanced clarity and where it distracted.

• Final Balance: Ensured every shake felt powerful, readable, and comfortable in-game.

I designed Knuckle Knockout’s emoji system to encourage playful interaction and personality beyond combat. To give players expressive moments amid competition, I added quick emotes like rock-paper-scissors that could trigger mid-match. Each emoji was exaggerated to heighten emotion; triumph, frustration, and mock rage, turning reactions into playful taunts that reinforced the game’s humor, energy, and shared chaos.

Process
• Defined Design Goal: Added mid-match emotes to enhance player expression.
• Mapped Emotional Range: Designed emotes around key highs like victory and frustration.
• Prototyped Interactions: Implemented quick triggers to keep matches flowing.
• Observed Player Behavior: Collected feedback on timing, clarity, and tone.
• Refined Final Set: Balanced humor, competitiveness, and usability across all emojis.

I designed Knuckle Knockout’s facial expressions, bruising, and bandages to make damage feel personal and intuitive. Instead of a health bar, players read their character’s condition through shifting expressions and wear, reinforcing empathy, and impact.

Process
• Defined Design Goal: Replaced numeric health with emotional, character-driven feedback.
• Mapped Player Perception: Identified visuals cues players associated with damage.
• Progressive States: Created layered bruises, bandages, and expression changes over time.
• Iterated Through Testing: Adjusted visual severity based on readability and reaction.
• Balanced Clarity and Emotion: Ensured visual empathy supported gameplay feedback.