Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle
Lead UI/UX Designer & 2D Artist
Blue Wizard Digital
iOS / Android / Steam / PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch
2018
Project Overview
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle reimagined the classic horror franchise as a puzzle game, combining strategic gameplay with the series' signature mix of violence, absurdity, and dark humor.
As Lead UI/UX Designer and 2D Artist, I was responsible for the game's visual identity, interface design, menu systems, HUD, logo, iconography, and cross-platform adaptation.
Establishing the Visual Identity
One of the first challenges was finding a visual direction that respected the Friday the 13th license while supporting the game's more playful tone.
I designed the game's logo, selected typography, and created the visual framework used throughout the interface. The goal was to capture the look of classic slasher films while remaining readable and approachable within a puzzle game.
This visual language extended across menus, HUD elements, reward screens, icons, and promotional assets, helping unify the experience from the title screen through gameplay.
Supporting Puzzle Gameplay
This was my first puzzle game project, which required a different approach than the action and RPG titles I had previously worked on.
The interface needed to communicate new mechanics clearly as the game introduced traps, weapons, hazards, enemies, and environmental interactions. I focused on providing clear visual feedback, readable HUD elements, and straightforward navigation so players could understand increasingly complex puzzle scenarios without overwhelming the screen.
The tutorial experience was built around franchise lore, using Pamela Voorhees to guide players through the game's core mechanics and progression systems.
Cross-Platform Adaptation
The game was originally designed for mobile devices before expanding to PC and console platforms.
Adapting the experience required reworking layouts, navigation patterns, and information hierarchy for larger displays and controller input. Menus were redesigned for widescreen presentation, focus states were added for gamepad navigation, and interface elements were adjusted for readability across televisions, monitors, and handheld devices.
Throughout development, maintaining consistency between platforms was a key priority while still respecting the unique requirements of each input method and screen format.
Process & Production
The interface and visual assets were created using Photoshop, Illustrator, and Unity.
My responsibilities included UI design, asset creation, implementation, platform adaptation, and visual QA across all supported platforms. Working closely with engineering, I helped ensure the interface scaled effectively across mobile devices, consoles, and PC hardware.
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle gave me the opportunity to build a complete visual identity around one of horror's most recognizable franchises while learning the unique design challenges of puzzle games.
From the logo and menus to gameplay feedback and platform adaptation, the project established many of the workflows and design approaches that would continue into later titles such as Slayaway Camp 2.
