MARIA KÜNNE Game Designer

Left Out  Juniper  Purple Hour 
Made in SZ
 
more coming soon
Thanks for hanging out!





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Left Out

Platform: PC
Technology: Unity, C#, Blender, Maya, Photoshop
Development: 4 months



Master Thesis, 2025
Focus on gameplay mechanics, interactions and storytelling.
Awarded with the Ostfalia Media Price for Master Projects.



Left Out
is a video game controlled through Leap Motion hand tracking that conveys the experience of left-handedness in a world shaped by right-handed norms. Players move the character solely through real hand movements and solve tasks using deliberate gestures. In this demo version of the game, historical backgrounds of handedness and societal expectations are indirectly reflected within a fictional world, while existing right-handed design norms and the resulting invisible discrimination are brought to light. Through deliberately irritating interactions, mirroring elements and unconventional controls, the game creates a new awareness of one’s own handedness and draws attention to how everyday design standards can subtly disadvantage people.
 
This game is still work in progress




 
Level 1 This level addresses a basic perception pattern in games, where the right side is usually associated with progress. In this case, however, the right side is not treated as the goal: 
While approaching, the door closes and players have to turn back in order to advance.


The next part of the first level is intended to address the confrontation with objects that are oriented towards only a specific handedness. The mixed control scheme and level design further illustrate how design standards can force a certain way of operating, sometimes resulting in uncomfortable interactions. 
 



LEVEL 2




Level 2 represents society and the history of left-handedness, which has often been accompanied by discrimination and a lack of acceptance. Due to the social pressure, people frequently exert on one another, there is often no choice but to adapt. 
The character is thus indirectly forced to conform to the right side. Although she tries to remain true to herself, she must turn back and reluctantly adapt to right-handed norms in order to be accepted.




LEVEL 3




Due to rigid societal structures, people are often forced to adapt, even if they wish to resist. This level emphasizes this issue, while also presenting topics of self-reflection and acceptance.






Additional work
Posters, Idea sketches and Behind The Scenes in Unity, UI drafts, Character designs, Stickers,  Representation at the “Endpräse”
Interested in reading my master’s thesis or a more detailed documentation of this project? 
Feel free to contact me! :)









Juniper

Platform: PC
Technology: Unity, C#, Maya, Photoshop, Adobe XD
Development: 3 months




3rd Semester Master Project, 2024
Focus on world building and storytelling.


Juniper
is an atmospheric horror game that interactively reinterprets a lesser-known story by the Brothers Grimm, “The Juniper Tree.” Through collecting objects and triggering short, partly surreal sequences, a narrative about loss, violence and family secrets unfolds - never fully spelled out, but instead pieced together by the players themselves.






Additional work
Sketches and Ideas, 3D prototyping and modeling in Maya, UI drafts, Texturing collactable items, Modelling and 3D printed keys, Behind The Scenes in Unity
Purple Hour

Platform: Mental Health App for Android
Technology: Unity, Blender, Maya, Adobe XD, Illustrator
Development: 4 months




Bachelor Thesis, 2021
Awarded with the Ostfalia Media Price in the category “Interactive Design”.


Purple Hour
is a mindfulness card set designed to offer people a short break from their stressful everyday lives. Whenever a moment of encouragement or simply a brief pause to breathe is needed, Purple Hour is always within reach. The concept goes beyond its analog format as a physical card set and has also been adapted into a digital mental health app for smartphones. The app likewise incorporates playful elements and thoughtfully written texts that support the affirmations, helping users briefly refocus on themselves and find a sense of calm.








Additional work
Sketches and Ideas in Adobe XD, 3D modeling in Maya, Behind The Scenes in Unity, Mobile mockups, 
Printed cards as well as packaging, booklet and instructions, Website ideas

Made in SZ

Corporate Identity Ostfalia Salzgitter
2022 - february 2026



MADE IN SZ
is Ostfalias’ in-house design agency at the Salzgitter campus, dedicated to redesigning the cross-media visual identity of the local faculty. In collaboration with the project team, a new communication concept for the campus was developed. As part of this process, a wide range of informational and promotional materials - including trade fair stands, roll-ups, different giveaways, posters, flyers, invitation cards, animations and more - were revised, modernized and newly designed.