Breakaway was an incredible project I had the opportunity to lead as Art Director for Amazon Game Studios in 2015, shortly after moving to California. Initially conceived as a casual team game, the project quickly evolved into a more competitive experience with strong broadcast potential, developed in collaboration with Twitch, which had recently been acquired by Amazon.
One of the highlights of this project was the privilege of working alongside an exceptionally talented team, while also bringing in new talent from diverse backgrounds, including industry leaders like Riot Games, Blizzard, and Naughty Dog.
Breakaway was one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, both as a creative leader and collaborator, and it remains a project I look back on with pride and gratitude for the lessons learned and the incredible people I worked with.
Illustration used for the Game Home Screen
User Interface
This section highlights some of the screens I had the privilege of designing and art directing while collaborating closely with the talented UI team on Breakaway. My role focused on defining the overall look and feel of the game’s user interface, ensuring it aligned with the competitive, fast-paced nature of the gameplay.
The goal was to balance functionality with strong visual appeal, creating layouts that were clean, intuitive, and engaging for players. I explored color schemes, typography, and iconography to maintain a cohesive style while enhancing clarity and usability.
An exciting challenge was optimizing the character selection screen. I worked on creating settings that showcased the intricate details of the models—details that might be missed during gameplay due to the camera’s distance and the game’s rapid pace. This involved careful consideration of lighting, angles, and presentation.
Another rewarding aspect was designing icons for the game. These ranged from minimalistic, graphic styles for in-game readability to more polished and illustrated designs for the shop, ensuring they were visually appealing and desirable to players.
Working on Breakaway was a fulfilling experience that combined creativity, technical problem-solving, and collaboration with an incredible team to deliver a seamless and dynamic player experience.
Characters
More to come soon...