Propella is my design for a side-scrolling endless runner mobile game.

My design intent was to create a look and feel for the game that would be both fun and sophisticated. The greatest strength for the Infinite Runner genre is that its pick-up-and-play simplicity pretty much eliminates any barrier of entry. With this in mind I wanted to make sure that the game would be appealing to any age group. It is bright and colorful with fun aesthetics and characters, but it is not overly goofy or childish so as to dissuade adults from playing.

The game takes place in a world above the clouds with the player assuming control of the titular character Propella as she bounds across platforms collecting crystallized stars and feathers, while trying to rack up as much distance as she can without falling beneath the clouds or being struck by a hazard along the course. 

As she runs, her hair will trail behind her in the wind, while her shawl flows in rhythm with her steps (I also designed her shawl to have other uses, such as functioning as a make-shift parachute). If Propella is able to collect a feather pickup, she will be assisted by her winged companion Avy, who will grant her a ride that rockets her forward, allowing her to skip a few tricky jumps and rack up some big distance points.

The look of the game blends elements of traditional cartoons with touches of fine art. The characters and platforms all have a nice outline around them, mimicking the cel animation look of old cartoons and helping them to stand out from the backgrounds, which all have a hand-drawn pastel feel to them. While designing Propella, I made use of bold geometric shapes so that she could read at a distance. Keeping her simple and distinct ensures that she will be visible on mobile devices of all screen sizes without appearing too visually busy or confusing. All of this is tied together through the use of color, drop shadow and a scrolling paper/grain effect.