Alyssa
Hurst
I combine game elements and visual design to develop engaging learning experiences.
My Work
Function Factory
Interactive Algebra Learning Game
This game uses exploration and play to help algebra students create mental models of functions.
Number City
Illustrated storybook resource
This picture book features a character for each digit to help young learners memorize numbers through visual mnemonics.
General Health
A Quick-Reference Infographic
This infographic summarizes a chapter from Period Repair Manual for easy reference.
Function Factory
Interactive Algebra Learning Game (Prototype)
(Doesn't work on phones)
Audience
8th and 9th graders
Responsibilities
Instructional design
Visual and UI Design
Programming
Illustration and Animation
Game Design
Tools
Godot Game Engine
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Animate
Adobe Premiere
Inquiry-Based
Guided exploration helps learners create their own mental models for functions
Engaging Visuals, Animations and Interactions
Uses custom game-style graphics, animations, and interactions to keep learners engaged while making math feel approachable and enjoyable
Scaffolded
Challenges progress in difficulty to support gradual skill development and confidence
Project Overview
Function Factory is an educational game for algebra students. The experience uses function machines as a visual and interactive framework to help learners understand the core process of mathematical functions through exploration and play. It was designed to support classroom instruction to help learners transition to more abstract representations such as equations and graphs.Learners help a character named Leo repair his dilapidated factory by labeling machines based on their input–output behavior. As learners progress through the rooms, the complexity of the functions gradually increases.
The Learning Problem
Many students struggle with algebra because functions are often introduced as symbols and equations before conceptual understanding is established. This can lead to:
Memorization without comprehension
Difficulty connecting graphs, tables, and expressions
Math anxiety and low confidence
The goal of this project was to create a learning experience that:
Makes the abstract idea of functions concrete
Encourages experimentation without fear of failure
Builds intuition before formal notation is introduced
Learning Objectives
By completing the game, students will be able to:
Identify the rule a function applies based on input–output examples
Explain a function as a process, not just an equation
Key Design Features
Function Machine
The game centers on the function machine as a visual framework for representing functions as a consistent input→process→output system. This supports constructivist learning by helping learners actively build a mental model of how functions work before engaging with formal notation.
Narrative Elements
Function Factory introduces a light narrative centered on Leo, who needs help repairing his inherited factory. The story and visual language work together to establish context and immersion, supporting situated learning by giving abstract math concepts a meaningful and engaging setting.
Progressive Difficulty
The game has two levels, each progressing through three stages to create lots of small wins. This structure uses scaffolding to gradually reduce support and help learners build confidence and independence.
Rewards and Feedback
Learners receive immediate, contextual feedback each time they label a machine, supporting formative assessment and exploration. Unlimited retries reduce performance pressure, and mastery is indicated by earning a star after three correct responses, providing a clear signal of progress and reinforcing motivation.
Intrinsic motivation
Rather than relying heavily on extrinsic rewards, the game turns the math itself into the core gameplay, promoting intrinsic motivation. Learners are encouraged to engage for understanding and completion, while the freedom to move between rooms and levels supports Self-Determination Theory by reinforcing autonomy.
Reflection
Future Direction
If I were to continue this project future improvements would include:
User testing with target learners
Bug fixes and overall polish
Accessibility considerations
Additional levels and a clear completion point
Improved availability for teachers
Supporting lesson plans for classroom use
What This Project Demonstrates
Function Factory demonstrates my ability to incorporate intrinsic motivation and gamification into learning experiences. It also shows how I can take challenging or intimidating subjects, like algebra, and make them approachable, interactive, and enjoyable, while still teaching what is needed.
Number City
Illustrated storybook resource
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Responsibilities
Instructional design
Illustration
Writing
Tools
Procreate
Adobe InDesign
PowerPoint
Visual Mnemonics
Each number is paired with a character whose shape mirrors the number
Story-based
Each number character has an original limericks that tells their story
Multiple Formats
The core content is repurposed into flashcards, posters, slideshows, matching cards, and coloring pages
Project Overview
Number City is a collection of illustrations and poems that pair each digit with a character. It was designed to help early learners, particularly those with dyscalculia, who struggle to recognize and recall the visual shapes of numbers. These students often find traditional rote memorization ineffective and frustrating, and respond better to engaging visual mnemonics. The pictures were adapted into multiple formats, including a storybook, posters, flashcards, slideshows, matching cards, and coloring pages. This enables teachers and parents to use the material in a multitude of ways.
Learning Objectives
Using this resource, students will be able to:
Identify the numbers 0-9
Write the numbers 0-9 when prompted
Reflection
What This Project Demonstrates
Number City demonstrates my ability to use visual storytelling and mnemonics to support learning. It shows how I can approach foundational memorization in a way that moves beyond rote repetition while maintaining clear learning goals.
"This was just what I needed to get my homeschooled child to learn numbers. I suspect he may have dyscalculia. No matter how many drills we did over and over, he just could not recognize numbers 6-9 for the whole school year. I looked around, hoping to find something like Letterland characters, but for numbers, and this is it. He is now, after just a few times going through these cards, able to recognize the numbers. He still struggles remembering when writing, but when he asks what does an 8 look like, I am able to tell him "it looks like a spider". Then he can write it. Brilliant. Thank you for creating this resource."
- Amy Hughes
General Health
A Quick-Reference Infographic
Audience
Women Reader of
Period Repair Manual
Responsibilities
Instructional design
Graphic Design
Illustration
Writing
Tools
Procreate
Canva
Infographic
Condenses foundational general health guidance into a single visual job aid
Cohesive Visuals
Consistent color palette, illustration style, and tone to support quick scanning
Book to Job Aid
Transforms a dense chapter into an everyday quick-reference resource
Project Overview
Period Repair Manual includes a detailed chapter on general health practices that support menstrual health, but its depth makes it difficult to reference once read. This project translates the most relevant guidance into a concise visual job aid designed for everyday use.The infographic was intentionally tailored for a specific learner, omitting recommendations that did not apply to her situation. Designed to live on a refrigerator, it prioritizes scannability, visual warmth, and repeated exposure to support recall and habit reinforcement.
Reflection
What This Project Demonstrates
This project demonstrates my ability to summarize information and create job aids.