Tian Hai | ConradWong Portfolio

Tianhai — Mobile Game (Shipped on iOS & Android)

Role: Co-Creator & Lead Visual/Interaction Designer
Platforms: Apple App Store, Google Play (retired)
Category: Mobile Game Design & Product Development

Overview

Tianhai was a mobile game that I co-created, designed, and shipped on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The project blended puzzle mechanics, Chinese character recognition, and responsive interaction into a clean, modern mobile experience. Although the game is no longer in service, it was fully launched, user-tested, and iterated during its time on the market.

Design Challenge

Designing a mobile game around Chinese characters, strokes, and pattern recognition required a UX approach that was:

intuitive for casual players
visually clean and readable
responsive across different screen sizes
supportive of fast gameplay loops

The biggest challenge was creating an interface that communicated meaningful visual language without overwhelming players, while still offering challenge and rhythm.

Approach & Visual System

I built Tianhai’s design using a combination of minimalist UI, cultural visual cues, and game-loop clarity.

Key design decisions included:

Clean, typographic visual identity: A restrained palette and precise line work helped emphasize Chinese characters and stroke patterns.
Gameplay-driven UI: Clear hit areas, responsive states, and animation cues supported quick decision-making during play.
Modular layout: Game screens, score states, menus, and transitions were built as reusable components for consistency across devices.
Ambient motion & sound cues: Light animations and rhythmic feedback reinforced player actions without distracting from gameplay.
Cross-platform execution: UI assets and interactions were optimized for both iOS and Android, including performance considerations and device ratios.

The result was a UI system that supported an addictive, fast-paced game loop while feeling culturally grounded and refined.

Outcome

Tianhai was successfully launched on both mobile platforms, gaining organic traction among players interested in puzzle games and Chinese character learning. Though the game has since been retired, it remains a strong example of:

end-to-end product delivery
mobile game interface design
designer–engineer collaboration
system thinking applied to a shipped interactive experience

This project demonstrates my ability to build polished, responsive mobile experiences from concept to release.

Tools & Skills

Tools: Adobe Suite, Unity/Engine Collaboration Assets, Prototyping Tools
Skills: Game UI/UX, Visual System Design, Interaction Design, Mobile Product Development

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