O.B.L.I.V.I.O.N.
Role: Art Director, Lead Visual Designer
Team: Innovators for Purpose
Phase: Early Production
Team: Innovators for Purpose
Phase: Early Production
Project Overview
O.B.L.V.I.O.N. is an original narrative-driven video game developed at Innovators for Purpose. Set in a divided futuristic world, the game explores power, control, and choice through the lens of artificial intelligence.
The story follows Alex, a young rebel from the Outer City, where an AI system called O.B.L.V.I.O.N. is used by the Inner City to manipulate and suppress the population. As Alex joins a rebellion to fight back, players must confront the central question: Can AI be reimagined as a force for good, or is it destined to be a tool of control?
Through this story, O.B.L.V.I.O.N. challenges players to reflect on the technology's potential to empower or oppress, and the human choices that shape its outcome.
My Role
As Art Director, I lead all visual development for O.B.L.V.I.O.N., including:
- Logo design and core brand identity
- Visual direction for environments, characters, and UI
- Moodboards and concept exploration to guide the creative team
- Art mentorship, directing students through Innovators for Purpose’s design process
Visual Direction
The world of O.B.L.V.I.O.N. contrasts the grime and resistance of the Outer City with the sterile opulence of the Inner City. My goal is to create a visual language of duality — blending cyberpunk influences with painterly textures and emotional depth.
Visual references draw inspiration from Arcane, Ghost in the Shell, and Blade Runner, merging grunge realism with moments of surreal digital decay.
Process & Development
Following Innovators for Purpose’s design framework: Question It. Understand It. (Re)imagine It. Build It," our team explored:
1. Question It.
What does control look like in a world run by AI?
How does oppression become normalized through technology?
What does control look like in a world run by AI?
How does oppression become normalized through technology?
2. Understand It.
As part of our larger AI initiative, we researched real-world examples of algorithmic bias and uses of AI, from facial recognition to silly filters on social media, and used this to ground the narrative in truth.
As part of our larger AI initiative, we researched real-world examples of algorithmic bias and uses of AI, from facial recognition to silly filters on social media, and used this to ground the narrative in truth.
3. (Re)imagine It.
Through art direction, I helped translate these questions into a visual story, with atmospherical elements like, light, architecture, and tone.
Through art direction, I helped translate these questions into a visual story, with atmospherical elements like, light, architecture, and tone.
4. Build It.
The coding team has begun implementing early prototypes while my art team develops key visuals and environmental assets.
The coding team has begun implementing early prototypes while my art team develops key visuals and environmental assets.
Logo & Identity
The O.B.L.V.I.O.N. logo was created inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics and media, using bright neon and grungey textures. The design is text-focused with a symbolic element embedded in the game story, and hints at the themes of looming digital surveillance and rebellion.
I iterated on type choices as well as color, shifting from textured red to a glowing, neon green.
Early concept.
The final.
