Introducing Asian America
Pearl
Timeline: January 2023 – April 2024
Role: Game Designer, UX Designer
Core Responsibilities: Research, Game Concept Development, Interaction Design, Rulebook Instructions Writing, Physical Prototyping
Key results: 2-Week Exhibition, Recipient of UT StartUP Grants (Spring 2024)
Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
As an Interaction designer interested in using Design to do good for humanity, I asked myself:
What might an artifact designed to encourage young Asian Americans to practice more self-compassion look and feel like?
How can I invite other beautiful beings to learn more about the unique, sociocultural, and character-defining elements of growing up Asian in America?
How can I increase awareness of the systems of disadvantages at play in Asian America and promote solidarity among my community?
Curiosity, nostalgia, and pride
Impact
Pearl is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) designed for 1 to 3 players of all backgrounds!!
Experience the rollercoaster of high school as you step into the shoes of diverse Asian American characters. Your choices and dice rolls will shape the narrative, empowering you to create unique stories, build connections with other players, and cultivate empathy for yourself and others.
More on Personal Motivation
Design for community and culture
Coming soon!
Process
Experiential outcome-centric game design
Ah. My research and concepting process was very much non-linear. Organizing my thoughts still!
Reflection
Authenticity shows
So much blood sweat and tears went into the making of Pearl, and I am just so so so thankful for the time and (head)space to work on such an ambitious project.
To all the beautiful people who wanted to buy a copy of Pearl, please want patiently and I’ll get back to you! I really do want to get Pearl published and launch on Kickstarter at some point. Also, heckkkk yes to Pearl: Latinx edition.
