Crafting Game UX for the Amazon Glow
Summary
Amazon Glow was an experimental device that combined video calling with a tactile, projected surface for interactive play. In partnership with Amazon, I led the UX and visual design for a National Geographic-branded edutainment game that let kids explore global ecosystems through storytelling and touch-based gameplay.
As a product of the COVID pandemic, the device was eventually discontinued, but to me, the project remains a meaningful and interesting deep dive into emerging tech, kids’ education, and UX geared toward a young audience.
My contributions
-
Collaborated on gameplay and storyline structure, refining flow and narrative cohesion
-
Worked closely with Amazon devs to review builds and refine interactions
-
Crafted visual branding in line with National Geographic guidelines
-
Provided UI specs and screen details
-
Guided the expansion of content to improve replayability
-
Led internal user testing and adjusted design based on behavior patterns
The process
1 - Understanding the audience
The game was designed for kids ages 5–12 and their long-distance relatives, turning video calls into shared educational adventures. I advocated for a kid-friendly UI from the start: larger buttons, bigger fonts, simplified layouts, minimal text, and clear visual cues. The goal was to make everything easy to tap, trace, and follow, even without help from an adult.
2 - Structuring the experience
I created user flows that mapped out how kids would explore habitats, gather facts, and complete missions with a virtual scientist. The storyline was designed to encourage curiosity while weaving in core educational goals about biodiversity and ecosystems.
Mapping out gameplay
3 - Designing a new interface
Glow’s unique projection mat (12" x 16") required rethinking traditional screen UX. I worked closely with Amazon developers to refine how kids interacted with the surface, adjusting gestural UI and game mechanics to feel natural on a tactile mat.
4 - Solving for replayability
User testing revealed a drop-off after one or two sessions. To address this, I guided the expansion of the database of animal facts, images, and games so each session felt fresh and worth returning to.
Animal facts needed a larger database
5 - Visual branding and consistency
I designed the visual experience based on National Geographic’s brand system, blending their iconic look with a tone that felt adventurous, approachable, and age-appropriate. Every element was reviewed and approved by their internal brand team.
Reflections
This project was a creative joy. I got to design for a brand I love, work on emerging hardware, and explore the future of educational play. While the game didn’t ship due to Amazon Glow’s discontinuation, the experience deepened my passion for edutainment and sharpened my skills in product storytelling, tactile UX, and collaborative iteration.