seashell buttons~

Hey folks! its a smallish update, but the news is pretty interesting!

This morning I spent making a small short/reel/tiktok thingy Before getting to work, checking back later, I saw it's doing really well on instagram! I have been trying to figure out the instagram algorithm for about a year now, and this is the first time anything has gone semi-viral. I have no idea what really kicked it off, but its exciting!

Anyway, later in the day I got cracking on some of the ui. I tried a lot of different formats, until I ended up with this purplish seashell themed one.

The interactive menu elements will be really simple; you can see there's a console at the bottom for you to type your words, a bag so you can view your inventory (you will collect treasures throughout the game) and a pause button.

I really want the aesthetics of the game to match the girly fantasy styles of the 90s and early 2000s, with lots of spiraling, undulating shapes. just dropping some inspo below so you get the vibe:

I believe this is winx club and barbie movie concept art!

some playsets; I LOVE that blocky plasticky shape and texture with the spiraling vine thingies!

and an illustration from a barbie mermadia book

Once I start illustrating the environment, you're definitely gonna start seeing more of the shape languages here get incorporated, but for now, I want even the UI to feel slightly organic.

That's all for tonight! Here's your sign-off joke:

Q: What are the dentists for sharks called?

A: Brave