Brackish Rising

Art Direction, Illustration & 2D Animation

Role: Art Lead / Illustrator / Spine 2D Animator / Visual Designer
Engagement: Paid client project
Work: Character & Environment Art, UI, Effects, Animation
Game: Real-time strategy
Engine: Godot
Tools: Spine 2D
Started: Early 2026
Status: In development · Early access targeted for 2027

Visual Direction

Fiona was brought in to replace the game's asset pack visuals. She proposed a stronger identity drawing on pre-First World War technology, Fallout, The Thing and Resident Evil. The result is a world of military outposts, coral salt plains and whale-like creatures formed by an infection from the deep.

Fiona's first concept image set the direction for the human units, infected enemies, buildings and landscape. The designs mix old industrial machinery and field equipment with fleshy, marine shapes.

She creates all of the game's artwork, from units and environments to the interface, effects and Spine 2D animation, and works in Godot to bring it into the game.

Original Brackish Rising concept art with a ruined house, rifleman and infected creature

First Brackish Rising rifleman and shambler designs

Current Brackish Rising game scene with a beacon, lumber yard, buildings and riflemen

Early designs for Brackish Rising units, enemies, buildings and terrain

Brackish Rising production design sheet showing units, enemies, buildings and environments

The first atmospheric illustration that established the project’s uneasy world.

An early rifleman and shambler explored the contrast between human forces and the infection.

Current Brackish Rising scene with infected rubble, a shambler and a rifleman