index_welcometobrakebills.jpg

Welcome to Brakebills

In late 2015 my team worked with UNIT9 on this fun introduction to the fantastical world of new series The Magicians. Taking the form of an entrance exam to Brakebills University, the elite magical educational institution in which the show takes place, users are presented with a series of challenges designed to assess their capability as magicians. I oversaw much of the visual direction and the team at UNIT9 delivered a stunning and super-engaging execution.

 
pixel_black.png

01 | Introduction

The user was brought into the experience by an immersive video sequence in which Dean Fogg prepares them for the intro exam that will make or break their entry into Brakebills. Then straight into the exam – sink or swim!

 
 
welcometobrakebills_open.jpg
 
 
pixel_black.png

02 | Lessons

A nicely animated card-motif carousel guided users through a series of lessons. With each week’s episode a new lesson was unlocked, designed to evaluate if users were up to the task the characters faced on the show. These minigames tested both knowledge and reflexes. How’s your Welters game? And are you ready to face the Beast?

 
 
welcometobrakebills_lesson_safe.jpg
welcometobrakebills_cooperativemagic.jpg
 
 
pixel_black.png

03 | Character Guide

Another carousel allowed users to navigate qualifications of their prospective classmates, filterable and color-coded by acceptance status, a clever touch. A parallax effect on scroll added a nice physical feel and a few unique visual details to biographies that helped tell each magician’s individual story.

 
 
 
 
pixel_black.png

Credits

Role
Sr. Designer (client side)

Agency
Unit 9

pixel_black.png

Recognition

Shorty Awards 2016
Silver, Art Direction

W3 Awards 2016
6x Gold – Television Website | Structure and Navigation, Website | Visual Design (Aesthetic), Website | Video or Motion Graphics, Website | User Experience, Mobile Site or App | Visual Design (Aesthetic), Mobile Site or App

4x Silver – User Experience, Website | User Interface, Website | Visual Design (Function), Mobile Site or App | User Interface, Mobile Site or App