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Inspiration
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Arcade Gaming Culture from Japan in the 1980’s to 2000’s
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Fictional futuristic vision of Neo-Tokyo often associated with the cyberpunk genre of sci-Fi
Designing Akiverse
A case study in arcade storytelling, brand systems & motion design for Web3 culture.
Authored by Akanksha Jain
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Akiverse is a new-age arcade gaming platform. As Art Director, I shaped a modular design language blending nostalgia with futurism. From logo systems to motion cues, every asset echoes arcade intensity while staying adaptable across game, product, and community layers.
Building the soul of Akiverse
Brand Systems & Core Media
Akiverse is a new-age arcade gaming platform. As Art Director, I shaped a modular design language blending nostalgia with futurism. From logo systems to motion cues, every asset echoes arcade intensity while staying adaptable across game, product, and community layers.
Asset
Creation
From animated arcade loops to branded machines and gameplay UIs, I crafted every asset using a modular, layered pipeline. Each visual was built in passes—starting with stills for form and feel, then evolving into motion. This method allowed seamless scaling across platforms, while preserving Akiverse’s bold, kinetic identity.
From animated arcade loops to branded machines and gameplay UIs, I crafted every asset using a modular, layered pipeline. Each visual was built in passes—starting with stills for form and feel, then evolving into motion. This method allowed seamless scaling across platforms, while preserving Akiverse’s bold, kinetic identity.
Arcade Machines
NFTs & Platform Assets
Amplifying Akiverse
I developed a fast-response content system with flexible templates for TikToks, tweets, and NFT drops—allowing for rapid design turnarounds without compromising quality. Paired with an internal zine to align tone and visual culture, this process ensured that every asset—digital or physical—felt arcade-native, on-brand, and instantly shareable.
Culture and Content Systems
I developed a fast-response content system with flexible templates for TikToks, tweets, and NFT drops—allowing for rapid design turnarounds without compromising quality. Paired with an internal zine to align tone and visual culture, this process ensured that every asset—digital or physical—felt arcade-native, on-brand, and instantly shareable.
Launch Teaser
Social Media
UI/UX Creative Direction
I designed a UI/UX system rooted in arcade logic—fast feedback, high contrast, and tactile interfaces. Inspired by vintage coin-op machines and gaming dashboards, each screen was crafted to feel reactive and alive. Wireframes evolved into motion-tested layouts to ensure both functional clarity and immersive energy.
Design that shows up IRL
I designed high-quality merchandise and event assets that translate Akiverse’s digital identity into real-world form. From tactile cards to graphic tees and kiosks, every piece was built to feel collectible, wearable, and immersive—capturing the brand’s arcade energy in physical space.
Merch & Event Collats
I designed high-quality merchandise and event assets that translate Akiverse’s digital identity into real-world form. From tactile cards to graphic tees and kiosks, every piece was built to feel collectible, wearable, and immersive—capturing the brand’s arcade energy in physical space.
IRL Akiverse
Bridging Design & Code
Developer-Facing Design & SDK Support
I created a design system that translated seamlessly into development—ensuring clarity, scalability, and speed. Every asset, from UI components to motion cues, was built with dev constraints in mind. The goal: empower developers to maintain visual fidelity while moving fast, without ever losing the arcade feel.
I created a design system that translated seamlessly into development—ensuring clarity, scalability, and speed. Every asset, from UI components to motion cues, was built with dev constraints in mind. The goal: empower developers to maintain visual fidelity while moving fast, without ever losing the arcade feel.
ODEN Can - SDK Kit Design
To guide game partners, I designed the Oden Can SDK kit—modular and inspired by the modularity of Japanese street food. It was used to package dev tools and UI tokens with clarity and charm. Prototypes and mock gameplay videos captured Akiverse’s arcade-first feel: fast, immersive, and visually focused.
To guide game partners, I designed the Oden Can SDK kit—modular and inspired by the modularity of Japanese street food. It was used to package dev tools and UI tokens with clarity and charm. Prototypes and mock gameplay videos captured Akiverse’s arcade-first feel: fast, immersive, and visually focused.
Game Prototypes
& Gameplay Concepts
To align external game dev teams, I created playable prototypes and video demos of mock games. These highlighted Akiverse’s vision: fast loops, intuitive controls, punchy visuals, and pick-up-and-play mechanics—hallmarks of classic arcade design. Each prototype acted as a creative anchor for gameplay quality, style, and pace.
To align external game dev teams, I created playable prototypes and video demos of mock games. These highlighted Akiverse’s vision: fast loops, intuitive controls, punchy visuals, and pick-up-and-play mechanics—hallmarks of classic arcade design. Each prototype acted as a creative anchor for gameplay quality, style, and pace.
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