Mission US

ART DIRECTION, UI DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION

Client: Electric Funstuff and WNET Thirteen (New York City, USA)
Year: 2010 - 2015

Mission US teaches middle school kids U.S. history through free interactive role-playing games. The project is produced by WNET Thirteen with game production lead by Electric Funstuff (EFS) in New York City and content lead by American Social History Project (ASHP).

I've been involved with this project since it's inception in 2009 where I lead and managed the visual style and direction of the game. I continue to work as lead character illustrator for the project in collaboration with game designers, developers, 2D and 3D artists, educators and the historians on our team.

The historical accuracy of the games are of utmost important so I worked with historians and game designers to ensure that all assets are historically accurate and appropriately enhances the narrative.

The most recent mission Mission 4: City of Immigrants launched January 2015.

Selected Awards
• Nominated for 2016 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Interactive Media
• Spring 2016 Parents' Choice Gold Award
• 2014 Games for Change Award: Most Significant Impact
• 2014 Parents' Choice Gold Award
• 2012 International Serious Play Award: Gold Medal in Education

Mission 1: For Crown or Colony? (2010)

You are Nat Wheeler, a printer's apprentice, starting out in Boston. How will you face the tensions between the Patriots and the Loyalists? What did you see during at the Boston Massacre?

My role: UI Designer and Illustrator
I illustrated 16 out of the 30 characters, 5 of the 7 locations, and designed the map and game interface assets.

Press & Reviews
Living is Learning - "Mission US" Convinced me that Gaming Has a Place in the Classroom

Mission 2: Flight to Freedom (2011)

You are Lucy, a 14-year old slave girl in Kentucky, who struggles for freedom during the introduction of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. Will you find the Underground Railroad and your path to freedom?

My Role: Art Director and Lead Designer
I illustrated all 37 characters, 3 major locations, 5 backgrounds, 4 maps, and additional game interface assets.

Press & Reviews
Kotaku - They Made a Game About Slavery, And It's Actually Good
USA Today - Kids relive history with free role-playing game
History Tech - Flight to Freedom - Awesome History Learning Simulation

Mission 3: A Cheyenne Odyssey (2013)

You are Little Fox, a Northern Cheyenne boy, whose life and community is changed by the encroachment of white settlers, railroads, U.S. military expeditions, and diminishing buffalo. Can you help your tribe survive life on the plains?

My Role: Lead Character Illustrator
I illustrated all 30 characters.

Press & Reviews
Forbes - Let's Get Serious About Video Games
Common Sense Media - "powerful and compelling"
Jay is Games - "an intelligent, thought-provoking work"

Awards
Games for Change Festival 2014 Most Significant Impact Winner

"I am Northern Cheyenne and while I know a great deal about my family's history, I am rather embarrassed to say I don't know nearly as much about the tribe as I wish I did... Teaching about history is such a difficult task already when you need to count for all the perspectives of the different people involved and the society. But, putting a kid in a game where they get to actually be a person and play out their perspective? I am amazed." ~ Lauren, Cheyenne & 6th grade teacher

Mission 4: City of Immigrants (2015)

You are Lena Brodsky, a 14-year-old Jewish immigrant from Russia. You arrive in New York City in 1907 and encounter many other immigrants that are hungry for the opportunities America offers. How will you start your new life in America?

My Role: Lead Character Illustrator
I illustrated all 39 characters and additional game UI assets.