Detective Academy
UX/UI / Illustration
Project Overview
Detective Academy is a point-and-click observation game where players advance through detective ranks by analyzing busy scenes and finding items. The game was designed and prototyped entirely in Figma, exploring an unconventional approach to game creation.
This project was featured at Game Y’all in Austin, TX.
Software
Clip Studio Paint
Figma
Illustrator
Photoshop
concept
How it works
Play the full game
Storyboards
Wireframes
Initial Design
This game was first built as a typing game meant to test your speed and accuracy.
UI assets are bright pinks, while illustrations are in muted tones.
Font choices are meant to mimic a handwritten style.
Findings & Concerns
Becomes too challenging as a high speed typing game, especially for younger audiences and casual gamers.
This game is meant to be cozy and relaxing but the design styles clash, which overwhelms players.
visual guide
Improved Design
The final game is a point-and-click experience, meant to challenge player's speed, memory, and observation skills.
Type, characters, and UI assets are done in a pixel art style while the level backgrounds are fully rendered illustrations.
New Features
On each level, players are shown a detailed scene with objects hidden in plain sight.
An item list guides players so they know which items to find, and in which order.
Instructions can be reviewed at any time.
Character
Backgrounds
UI assets
Assets are made to fit within the detective theme and visual rules. Each level is shown as a file. Clear levels are ready to play, locked levels have a lock, and completed levels have a badge. Meanwhile the instructions and learn more buttons are shown as a magnifying glass.
Other buttons use simple, clean shapes to make them easy to find and click within the language of the game.
Levels Items
Each level is filled with items and visual distractions, paired with an item list for players to follow. After finding all the objects, players complete the level by selecting the finish button, which records their score.
Scoring
Each level has a timer with a set duration. The score is determined by the amount of time remaining when the finish button is clicked. The goal is to achieve the highest possible score by completing the level as quickly as possible.
For example, level 1 has a 30 second timer. A player finds all the objects within 25 seconds, leaving 5 seconds on the timer. Their score is 5.
mockups
Full game
Figma Prototype
The full game is available to play in Figma. For the best experience, playing on desktop is recommended.
Play the full game
Game y'all
Game Y'all is a monthly event where indie game designers showcase and test their games to a professional audience. Detective Academy is featured in the November 2025 Meetup. It was an honor to share my game with the Austin game dev community.
