Make the grid readable
Used color, tile states, and simple character silhouettes to help players understand where they could move and what might block a path.
Case study / 05
Toadally In Love
A playful puzzle game about clearing a path, pulling objects, and bringing two unlikely characters together.
RoleArt Direction Lead · UX LeadDuration4 daysToolsGodot · Game jam build
Play Toadally In Love ↗I led art direction and UX for Toadally In Love, a grid-based puzzle game built with a programmer during the Girly Game Jam.
Build a complete, learnable interaction in four days—then make the playful idea feel immediately legible.
Players click or drag across a grid to extend the toad’s tongue, clear a route, and pull objects toward the goal. I shaped the visual direction, information hierarchy, interaction cues, and game feel around that core mechanic.
Make the interaction visible
Designed the tongue path as direct visual feedback, connecting the player’s drag gesture to the puzzle outcome.
Keep play light and expressive
Built a distinct floral visual world that supports the romantic, humorous premise without getting in the way of the puzzle.
Interaction design
A puzzle loop players can read, then play.
The interface uses simple tiles, character placement, and the tongue path to make each move understandable. The remaining gameplay screens show how those interaction cues stay clear as the puzzle changes.
Recognition & reach
A fast build with a real audience response.
Toadally In Love ranked third overall among 73 game-jam entries, including second place for gameplay and audio. Its itch.io analytics later recorded 980 views, 436 browser plays, 25 collections, five ratings, and four comments.
A complete, public HTML5 puzzle game that combined clear interaction design with a memorable visual world under a four-day deadline.