Graphic design

inspiration:
Monument Valley
A stunning piece of artwork
 Lecturer Student Subject
Nguyen Thi Bich Van Pham Thi Tuong Vy Contextual Studies
 01 Table of contents
Introduction

02
Graphic design in
Monument Valley
03
Conclusion
 01
Introduction
1.1 About Monument Valley
1.2 Purpose of the investigation
1.1 About Monument Valley: The most beautiful mobile game in 2017

Quite possibly one of the most calming and hypnotic

games we’ve come across lately, Monument Valley is in a
league of its own when it comes to trippy graphic.
Stemming from a singular piece of artwork by lead
designer Ken Wong, a building in isometric view, this
game is all about impossible architecture, fantastical
worlds of geometry and M.C, Escher style optical illusions.

Monument Valley. continues recognized by numerous

valuable awards such as the 2014 Apple Design Award,
iPad game of the year 2014, BAFTA Video Game Awards
for Best British Game and Mobile/Handheld Game 2015,
Best Mobile Game in The Game Awards 2017, Unity Award
for Best Mobile Game 2017 and Webby Awards for Best
Puzzle Game in 2018 (According to ustwo).
Genre: Puzzle
Developer: ustwo
Price: $3.99
Game play in Monument Valley :

● The game operates under the premise of the lead character Princess Ida, journeying through isometric
mazes of sacred geometry; which are objects and illusions that defy conventional laws of physics. She
must solve each puzzle, to go ahead in her constant search for forgiveness.

● While putting the game on the computer, many players may feel confused when they first open the
game. The "Units" app in the bottom of the screen may not be intuitive at all. This is because, each
element has its own properties, and it is important to understand how these properties can be used in
designing more complex elements. For example, when we create buildings in Monument Valley,
usually we are thinking about creating a bigger structure with more angles. But if we think about
these properties carefully, we can actually design a more complex structures by manipulating their
design parameters.
1.2 Purpose of the investigation
At the first time playing Monument Valley, I
thought that this was the most beautiful game
I’ve ever seen - Wonderful and unique.
The unique graphic design can be seen in the
structures made of isometric 3D architecture in
Monument Valley, a game developed by Ustwo
Games. The art style can be characterized as an
innovative modern art.

The game design is inspired by the surrealism and

minimalism aesthetics of late 19th to early 20th
century art. Monument Valley gives a whole new
perspective on puzzle games. With a few swipes
and taps in the right places, you'll be turning
impossible architecture into something possible.
You'll have to explore every monument, unearth
every secret, and rediscover three ancient
languages based on optical illusions to reach your
goal - bringing together mother and child,
completing an unfinished circle.
F or all the amazing of the Monument Valley got, I
highly recommend this game for everyone,
especially who interest in design. I believe this video
game definitely will be an unprecedented
inspiration as a designer. In this presentation, I will
perform and point out the reason.
 Graphic design in
02
Monument Valley
2.1 What did experts evaluate Monument Valley ?
2.2 Graphic design in Monument Valley
2.3 Works were inspired by Monument Valley
2.1 What did reviewers
evaluate Monument Valley ?
“ One of the very finest hours, and the value
of such a thing is incalculable “

Kotaku
“Brilliant design... stayed with me like
a dream I didn't want to forget…“

Polygon
 2.2 Graphic design in
Monument Valley
2.2.1 Isometric
2.2.2 Secrets behind the success of
Monument Valley
 A n isometric drawing is a 3D representation of an object, room,
building or design on a 2D surface. One of the defining characteristics
of an isometric drawing, compared to other types of 3D representation,
is that the final image is not distorted. This is due to the fact that the
foreshortening of the axes is equal. The word isometric comes from
Greek to mean 'equal measure'.

2.2.1 Isometric

Image 1) Flat icons can blend in making it Image 2) Clear, easily identifiable isometric
unclear where to click. Source DesignerMill. icons. Source : all-free-download.com.
 2.2.2 Secrets behind the
success of Monument Valley
“ Other games feature architecture in the
background, but I wanted to make the
architecture into the main character — into the
”
thing that you actually interact with.

—KEN WONG
The Lead designer
 A key source of inspiration for Monument
Valley was Ken’s interest in architecture
While he was looking for inspiration, he happened to come
across an image called Ascending and Descending, a 1960
optical illusion drawn by Dutch artist M.C. Escher (1898-1972)
that shows a never-ending stairway.

“It just clicked with me straightaway,” Wong says. “I thought

that if you could guide a figure from the bottom of a
building to the top by actually moving bits of the
architecture, that could be a really compelling game.”

Image 3 Ascending and Descending

drawn by M.C.Erscher
The Surprising Inspiration Behind
Monument Valley’s Most Beautiful Levels
Inspired by the drawings of M. C. Escher, the
core gameplay revolves around solving
puzzles by exploring isometric
“monuments” filled with impossible
geometry and optical illusions.
But as David Fernández Huerta (art director
on Monument Valley 2) explains, each of
these levels had its own inspiration.
Image 4 Water Fall by M.C Escher
Image 5 This level was inspired by Kim Chi from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Image 6 Non-Objective Composition by Olga Rozanova
 Graphic and sound

● In case you haven’t noticed yet, graphics are by far the most impressive aspect of
this game.They are not flashy or cutting-edge, but they way they have been done is what
makes this game special and unique. As previously said, each level has its own unique
character and setting.

● Animations are extremely fluid and meticulous, while Ida’s movements are limited but fluid.
Notable is the attention to detail by the developer, which can be easily seen thanks to the
intricacies of each stage. This game is proof that you don’t need Need for Speed or Modern
Combat graphics to create a visually appealing game.

● Sure, those games look outstanding and it is sometimes even hard to believe that they’re
being rendered by a mobile phone, but Monument Valley manages to look absolutely superb
with its charming approach to graphic design.

● Regarding sound, it tries to maintain the same tone set by the graphics and gameplay.
Soothing music and simple sound effects are all you will hear in Monument Valley, and they
do a superb job in not disrupting what is achieved by the other elements of the game.
2.3 Works were inspired by Monument Valley
 2.3 Works were inspired by Monument Valley

Patrick Soong – Modeler and texturer

Most of Patrick Soong’s popular projects are
Minecraft-converted models. This is a vanilla
stepwell build in Dragonfall temple project
with a fantasy element mixed in. The work was
an inspiration from the game Journey and
Monument Valley. We can see that in each
structure of the temple.

Image 7 https://twitter.com/patrixcraft/status/1247894086335385609
 2.3 Works were inspired by Monument Valley

Claudia Mussett – Creative art director and digital designer

With Alphabet Valley, designer Claudia Mussett wanted to try building a typeface based upon the game’s
beautiful level designs. Mussett created her typeface, one letter at a time, using Adobe Illustrator,
recreating elements of individual game levels as components of each letter
.
She said she loved the art direction of the game and the level design/user experience. It was a aesthetically
beautiful game. She had enjoyed playing it a lot and just looking at each level colors and layout.

Image 8 https://clauaskee.com/works/alphabet-valley
 Land’s End, An Immersive Virtual Reality Game From the
Creators of ‘Monument Valley’

Land’s End, A Video Game by the Developer of ‘Monument Valley’ for the
Samsung Gear VR Headset. This is a new virtual reality game by ustwo (Software
development company), the creators of Monument Valley. The game gives
players the challenge of awakening an ancient civilization in an immersive world.

Describe here your task 1

03 Conclusion
T here are nothing more amazing than we can contemplate
impressive and intelligent graphics as enjoying playing game.
There’s no timer, score, or anything related to competition. This
game is meant to be as relaxing as possible to bring users a real
relaxing vibe.
It is also a chance that we can indirectly approach the brilliant
thinking of talented designers – who created the game.
THANKS
 REFERENCES In-text example Reference list example

Company report (Monument Valley Monument Valley Mobile Game, 2017, ustwo report. Available from
Mobile Game 2017) <https://www.ustwo.com/work/monument-valley-mobile-games/>

Rob Hooks, 2019, ‘Isometric design: everything you need to know about the
design trend.’ Available from: <https://99designs.com/blog/trends/isometric-
Blog (Rob Hooks 2019)
design-trend/>

Luke Dormehl, 2014, ‘Inside Monument Valley: How ‘Impossible’ Sketches

Became An Amazing Game’, Cult of Mac. Available from:
Newspaper : From
(Luke Dormehl 2014) <https://www.cultofmac.com/273790/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=soc
a website
ial>

Ollie Campbell n.d.,The Surprising Inspiration Behind Monument Valley’s Most

(Ollie Campbell, n.d.) Beautiful Levels. Available from: <https://milanote.com/the-work/the-surprising-
Website
inspiration-behind-monument-valleys-most-beautiful-levels>

Jonh Brownlee, 2015, The Escher-esque Design Of “Monument Valley” Inspires A

Typeface. Available from: <https://www.fastcompany.com/3041038/the-escher-
Website (John Brownlee 2015)
esque-design-of-monument-valley-inspires-a-typeface>
 IMAGE
In text - example Reference list example
NUMBER

(Isometric design: everything

1-2 Isometric design: everything you need to know about the design trend ,2019.
you need to know about the
Available from : <https://99designs.com/blog/trends/isometric-design-trend/>
design trend 2019)

(Inside Monument Valley: How Inside Monument Valley: How ‘Impossible’ Sketches Became An Amazing Game,
‘Impossible’ Sketches Became 2014. Available from :
3
An Amazing Game 2014) <https://www.cultofmac.com/273790/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=s
ociaL>

Ollie Campbell n.d.,The Surprising Inspiration Behind Monument Valley’s Most

(Ollie Campbell, n.d.) Beautiful Levels. Available from: <https://milanote.com/the-work/the-
4-6
surprising-inspiration-behind-monument-valleys-most-beautiful-levels>

7 Patrick Soong, 2020, Dragonfall Temple. Available from :

(Patrick Soong 2020)
<https://twitter.com/patrixcraft/status/1247894086335385609>

Claudia Musset, 2014, Alphabet Valley. Available from:

8 (Claudia Mussett 2014)
<https://clauaskee.com/works/alphabet-valley>
VIDEO In text - example Reference list example

(Monument Valley 2 -
Official Release Trailer - Monument Valley 2 - Official Release Trailer - out now 2017, ustwo games.
1
out now 2017) Available from : <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW2KUxyq8Vg>

Ollie Campbell, n.d.,The Surprising Inspiration Behind Monument Valley’s Most

2 (Ollie Campbell, n.d.) Beautiful Levels. Available from: <https://milanote.com/the-work/the-surprising-
inspiration-behind-monument-valleys-most-beautiful-levels>

(Land's End Release

Trailer: A VR Adventure Land's End Release Trailer: A VR Adventure From the Creators of Monument Valley,
3 From the Creators of WELCOME TO THE 0800-TALKY-TIME SHOW. Available from:
Monument Valley 2015) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCoR35sXM2w&t=2s>