The Puzzle Trap
I wanted to explore the idea of frustration as a central theme in our pursuit of quick rewards. By designing a site that’s difficult to navigate, I aimed to reflect how we often desire instant gratification, yet how the process of overcoming challenges can be just as valuable as the reward. The home page features a hidden star system on a board game, where each star leads to a new page, encouraging exploration. The goal was to make the user feel a sense of accomplishment each time they uncovered a new part of the site.
Time
5 weeks
Deliverables
Website Design
Website Design
Design Overview 🎨
Game board path: The winding trail reflects the ups and downs of puzzle-solving—progress isn’t always straightforward, just like personal growth.
Color choices: Bright reds, blues, and purples highlight different emotional moments—fun, frustration, and reflection.
Retro game vibe: The bold title (“Ready, Set, Go!”) and blocky fonts give a nostalgic board game feel, connecting to the idea of childhood play vs. adult impatience.
Unlock feature: The idea of “unlocking” sections mirrors how we uncover meaning and insight slowly—not all at once.
Playful yet thoughtful: The dotted background, rounded edges, and simple layout make it approachable, while the content asks for deeper thinking.
Challenges
Reflect emotional frustration: Capture the feeling of impatience and tension experienced while building a puzzle.
Challenge instant gratification: Highlight how people often seek fast results, even in activities meant to be slow and thoughtful.
Use playful design to explore deeper themes: Create a light, game-like visual that contrasts with the seriousness of its message.
Encourage user reflection: Prompt viewers to notice their own reactions to slow progress, mistakes, and non-linear paths.
Blend concept and interaction: Design an experience that feels engaging and familiar while subtly guiding users toward introspection.
The core idea stemmed from a real-life moment of frustration while working on a puzzle. I realized how uncomfortable it can be to not “win” quickly and how that discomfort mirrors a broader desire for fast results in life. The challenge was turning this abstract feeling into an engaging visual experience with a distinct emotional “vibe.” It was challenging at times to balance the feeling that still allowed for a fun experience.
The Goal
Reflection
This project became a visual metaphor for how we often avoid slow, imperfect processes. It challenged me to communicate a feeling, not just a message, and to do so in a format that invited interaction, not just observation. Through design, I turned a moment of irritation into an engaging tool for reflection and self-awareness.