Uncommon App

This project is a 2D interface game that the players cast as an admission officer for the Uncommon Academy. Players evaluate applicants by analyzing academic records and financial statements, making impactful admission decisions. Beyond paperwork, they explore the campus to uncover a dynamically changing world.

The screenshot of the game Uncommon App

Brief Introduction

My primary responsibilities is related to illustration and design, specializing in pixel art for both conceptual work and asset creation. I also participated in cross-disciplinary tasks such as narrative design.

Number of team members: 6 people

Tools used: Aseprite, Procreate

Link to this project (itch.io):

https://jiahao-guo.itch.io/uncommon-app-beta

Lounge Scene

Shop Scene

Narrative Design and the World Building

This is my concept design for the five schools of the Uncommon Academy, including examples of their unique majors and courses. While referencing our real world, each school's curriculum and structure incorporate magical elements, blending familiar education with a flavor of fantasy.

Narrative design for schools, majors, and courses of Uncommon Academy

Concept Design and Drawing of the Items in Uncommon Application

I designed supplemental materials, as part of the Uncommon Academy's application process, for each school. The goal of the design was to let the player identify their unique identities instantly.

So, for Center of Alchemy and Life Science, the item features potion-brewing kits and specimens of exotic flora, showcasing a student’s ability to nurture magical organisms. For College of Spells, applicants must submit a certified spell-casting proficiency report, emphasizing the school’s focus on arcane mastery.

CALS

SotA

SHSS

IAMS

CoS

Further Development on the Revised Items

Following the art director’s feedback, I created the contrasting "excellent" and "poor" versions of the portfolio item with clear visual distinction: the "excellent"version tells the excellency of a student in the designated area of studies, and the "poor" version represents the lack of sophistication in the work.

For example, a superior work for IAMS features polished illustrations of constellations with a detailed explanation of the observation. An inferior work for SHSS shows the a carelessly submitted draft with the damage on the writing sample.

CALS

SotA

SHSS

IAMS

CoS

CALS

SotA

SHSS

IAMS

CoS

Banners of the Regions

Based on the world lore, here are illustrations of two nations: Nystal and Unmeiia.

Nystal is a humid, rainy tropical island nation, while Unmeiia is a bright coastal kingdom. Inland near the Gateway Pass, Unmeiia features expansive farmland and ancient structures infused with magic.

Nsytal, a tropical nation in peace and relaxation

Unmeiia, a coastal kingdom where the Uncommon Academy founded

City Image

Here is a series of illustrations featuring various cities across the five nations, highlighting local landmarks.

Aestral

Bertex

Styrden

Cerblar

Tormeli

Cyndrea

Cover Image

I helped in giving drafts and the final product of the cover image for the publication of the work.

The four drafts have different topics, from a focus on the selected students to a general view of the world. We choose the composition of the final product for its emphasis on role of being an admission officer.

Uncommon App cover image, intended for publishing on Steam

Drafts for the cover image

Merchandise

Here are two versions of an illustration on the Uncommon Academy, which was used for Merchandise. The first version depicts the academy on a bright day, while the second version depicts the place rendered by the sunset and magic turbulence.