Thomas McAuley

Creative Director; Game Designer; UI Expert; and AI/Generative Whiz

Overflowing with experience and mad motivation.

Thomas McAuley: The Design Process

Video Game Design

I’ve honed a specialized set of video game design skills that spans the creation of immersive UI/UX and custom visuals for a broad range of game types, from casual mobile games to immersive first-person shooters and target demographics.

I design video game interfaces and visuals that captivate players and wow clients.

 

  • Full Game UI Creation
  • Custom Graphics & Asset Design
  • Player-Centric Design Thinking
  • Prototyping and Interactive Design
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Responsive and Accessible Design
  • Brand Identity Integration

Crossy-Roads-Type Casino Game

(In Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: i.e.- spiciness-based difficulty levels.
  • Brand game.
  • Chicken states: Well, Concerned, Panicked, and Dead.

PROJECT

Crossy-roads-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. 

TIMELINE

Aug – Oct 2024
Crossy-Roads-Type Game: Splash
Crossy Roads-type game, Cluckin' Cross, Winner
Crossy Roads-type game, Cluckin' Cross, gameplay
Crossy Roads-type game, Cluckin' Cross, impending fail
Crossy Roads-type game, Cluckin' Cross, fail

Slots Casino Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: American Old West, bounty hunter
  • Brand game.

PROJECT

Slots-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. Queued for development.

TIMELINE

Aug – Oct 2024
Slots game, Tumbleweed, gameplay
Slots game, Tumbleweed, gameplay
Slots game, Tumbleweed, Bonus game
Slots game, Tumbleweed, info screen, Paylines

Crash-Type Casino Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: Rocket traveling over a cratered moon scape
  • Unique felt-styled assets.

PROJECT

Crash-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. Queued for development.

TIMELINE

Sep 2024 – Present
Crash-type game, Moonshot Mogul, gameplay
Crash-type game, Moonshot Mogul, cashout/win
Crash-type game, Moonshot Mogul, crash/fail

Friendly Plinko-Style Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: Backyard friendly squirrel sorting nuts for winter
  • Brand game.

PROJECT

Plinko-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. Queued for development.

TIMELINE

Oct 2024 – Present
Plinko-Type Game: Back Yard: Splash
Plinko-type game, Sparky's Stash, gameplay

Golf-Themed Plinko-Style Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: Putting balls on an elite course’s practice green
  • Brand game.

PROJECT

Plinko-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. Queued for development.

TIMELINE

Aug 2024 – Present
Plinko-Type Game: Golf: Splash
Plinko-type game, Putting Green, gameplay

Futuristic Plinko-Style Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT

  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Develop theme: Ultra-futuristic corporate greed / income disparity
  • Brand game.

PROJECT

Plinko-style wagering game for desktop and casino kiosks. Queued for development.

TIMELINE

Sep 2024 – Present
Plinko-Type Game: Futuristic: Splash
Plinko-type game, Quantum Cash, gameplay

Casual Tile Drop Game

(Queued for Development)

ABOUT:

  • Develop 80s-style theme.
  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Brand game.
  • Leverage AI for graphical inspiration.

PROJECT

Drop-style casual mobile game. In development.

TIMELINE

Aug 2024 – Present
Casual Game, DropX, gameplay, level end, settings

Card Combat/Trading (Concept)

ABOUT:

  • Develop dinosaur-style theme.
  • Create original vibrant visuals.
  • Brand game.
  • Leverage AI for graphical inspiration.

PROJECT

Trading card battler geared for 10-15-year-olds. In development.

TIMELINE

Jun 2024 – Present
Card Battler/Trader: Splash
DinoDex, Desktop card combat/trading video game: Card Builder
Card Battler/Trader: Card Design
DinoDex, Desktop card combat/trading video game: Card Detail

Minigame Concepts

(For Pitch Presentation)

ABOUT:

  • 1-week turnaround
  • AI-generated and manually modified background and game assets

PROJECT

Multiplayer first-person shooter targeted to 13-30-year-olds.

TIMELINE

Jan 2024 – Jun 2024
Game Concept: Splash
Game Concept: Splash
Game Concept: Splash

First-person Shooter (UI)

(Images to come)

ABOUT:

  • Create original vibrant supercell-style UI graphics.
  • Develop consistent minimal and comprehensive game UI

PROJECT

Multiplayer first-person shooter targeted to 13-30-year-olds.

TIMELINE

Jan 2024 – Jun 2024

Virtual Information Modeling Simulation

(Images to come)

ABOUT:

  • UI/UX Design: Developed intuitive and accessible user interfaces tailored for rapid navigation and interaction within virtual environments.
  • Interaction Design: Integrated interactive elements that allow users to manipulate 3D models and access detailed information efficiently.
  • User-Centric Enhancements: Implemented design improvements based on user feedback to enhance ease of use and functionality.
  • Accessibility Compliance: Ensured the interface met accessibility standards to accommodate all users, including those with disabilities.
  • Visual Design: Crafted a cohesive visual style that supports the functional aspects of LifeMap while enhancing user engagement.
  • Prototyping and Testing: Led the prototyping efforts, conducted extensive user testing, and iterated designs based on real-world user interactions and feedback.

PROJECT

Multiplayer game-like map emersion for first responders.

TIMELINE

Jan 2024 – Jun 2024
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web app: Session Type Menu
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web app: Session Detail
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web app: Birds-eye View
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web app: Sidebar Info
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web app: Walking View
Virtual Information Modeling Simulation: Game-like web application: Settings

App Design

I design user-centered applications that deliver functionality, visual appeal, and accessibility that address each of a client’s objectives. I give equal attention to detail to every app regardless of industry or client size—from enterprise-level to personalized user experiences.

The necessary skills include:

  • User Experience (UX) Design

  • User Interface (UI) Design

  • SaaS Application Development

  • Wireframing and Prototyping

  • Cross-Platform Design

  • Accessibility and Responsiveness

  • Collaboration with Development Teams

  • Iterative Testing and Refinement

Feature Pic: The Harris Center website redesign and mobile app

HARRIS CENTER APP & SITE

ABOUT:

  • Behavioral Health industry
  • Enterprise-level client
  • Largest behavioral health provider in Texas
  • 3rd largest healthcare provider in Texas

PROJECT

Simultaneous mobile app design and website redesign

TIMELINE

Aug 2023 – Present
GO
Feature Pic: Mixabl app

MIXABL APP

ABOUT:

  • SaaS software
  • COVID-19-era
  • Virtual trade show, speaking engagements, meetings, musical performance

PROJECT

Custom SaaS software

TIMELINE

Sep 2020 – Mar 2021
GO
Feature Pic: Brenda app

BRENDA APP

ABOUT:

  • Appointment-setting and management app
  • “Like Uber for Hair”

PROJECT

Custom SaaS software

TIMELINE

Aug 2020 – Oct 2021
GO
Feature Pic: Waltr app

WALTR APP

ABOUT:

  • COVID-19-era
  • Elder care for patients, family, caregivers, and facility management
  • Bridge the gap between patients and their families and friends
  • Feature-rich patient experience

PROJECT

Custom SaaS software

TIMELINE

Sep 2020 – Mar 2021
GO
Feature picture: Yoga Notes app based on the popular Yoga title

YOGA NOTES APP

ABOUT:

  • German Yoga instructor, practicioner and illustrator
  • Book-to-app
  • Pro-bono

PROJECT

Book into mobile app 

TIMELINE

Nov 19
GO
Feature picture: Rivl school engagement app during COVID-19 restrictions

RIVL APP

ABOUT:

  • COVID-19-era
  • SaaS custom software
  • School engagement and motivation

PROJECT

Custom SaaS app

TIMELINE

Sep 20 – Jan 21
Feature picture: ICTV broadcast app

ICTV MOBILE/TV APP

ABOUT:

  • Original African-American-centric programming
  • Live event streaming / PPV 
  • Live add placement, adjustment, and trackign

PROJECT

Mobile and TV channel/app

TIMELINE

Nov 20 – Mar 21

Campaigns & Other Design

My experience in campaign and multi-platform design has allowed me to create cohesive and impactful visuals that resonate with target audiences across diverse media. I work to ensure that each campaign or design project not only meets aesthetic standards but also delivers strategic results that drive brand perception, engagement, and customer loyalty across various channels.

Key skills include:

 

  • Brand Development

  • Graphic Design for Print and Digital

  • Web Design

  • Social Media Campaigns

  • Multi-Outlet Marketing Campaigns

  • Custom Document Design

  • Collaborative Planning and Execution

Feature picture: TwelveStone Health

TwelveStone Health

Packaging meds for convenience

Feature picture: Bexar County's "Your County. Be Counted." campaign

Bexar County (TX)

Making voters aware of key voting changes
Feature picture: Montana Air National Guard (MTANG) social media campaign

Montana Air National Guard (MTANG)

Getting out the word to serve
Feature picture: YMCA of Greater San Antonio

YMCA of Greater San Antonio

Celebrating 150 Years San Antonio

Cleared / NDA

I am cleared for secure work. Read about the process related to my cleared work: past and present.

Feature image: Secure work: USAF
Feature image: Secure work: NGA

Websites

It was an unconventional way to get to app UX/UI Design, but I’ve designed 200+ sites of nearly every size and about every industry, including military, federal, B2B, and commercial.

Feature picture: Delicious Tamales (website)

Delicious Tamales Website

San Antonio-based tamale makers e-commerce
Feature picture: HUD Housing and Urban Development

HUD Certification Website

Guiding users through important certifications