ChemCrafter
Game Design
UI / UX
AnimationWith ChemCrafter, CHF wanted to harken back to chemistry sets of the 50’s and 60’s, and create something that would be fun for the modern kid. With that, I conceptualized a scientifically accurate crafting game that could look great, be fun, and teach kids.
This app garnered numerous awards, and accomplished over 400,000 downloads.
Client: Chemical Heritage Foundation | Agency: Bluecadet
Role: Lead Visual Design | Interactive / Product Design | Illustration | Motion Design | Animation
Awards: Webby Winner
Gamifying a Chem SetOne of the primary challenges with this app was to gamify the old chemistry sets we were paying homage to, while staying true to the scientific principles and education behind these reactions. While working with the Chemical Heritage Foundation, they had a team of scientists to verify the validity of the reactions.
While this presented a challenge to the progress and rewards of a game, it also created unique opportunities to introduce scientific tools, allow items to break, and use Unity to create a robust system of reactions, colors, and sometimes explosions.
Nostalgic DesignThe prime era of these chemistry sets was primarily during the 50’s and 60’s. That created an irresistible opportunity to really dive into the visual and illustrative approaches of that time, while still implementing a modernity to it.
As the lead designer, I was beyond excited to try and imbue that classic sense of texture and illustration, while making the UI still feel modern, with a skeuomorphic touch to give the whole app an illustrative feel.
Everything from the typefaces, assets, and the environments inspired every element to be meticulously crafted.
“They were wonderful… It was a very collaborative experience”
— Shelley Wilks Geerh; Director CHF