Lapü

This 3D open-world videogame case study documents the visual direction and creative pipeline for Lapü: El Espíritu de los Sueños, an entry within the broader Tejesueños transmedia universe. The third-person title is deeply inspired by Wayuu culture and mythology. Players embody Malia, a Wayuu woman gifted by the spirit of dreams to seamlessly switch between the arid reality of La Guajira and a surreal dream dimension. The core gameplay integrates real-time healing combat using traditional instruments (flauta and tambor) against the evil of Wanülu, quest systems across ancestral clans, and spiritual dungeon exploration.

As the Art Director and Lead Character Designer, I coordinated the end-to-end visual identity, supervising all 2D concepts, 3D character models, and environmental assets. I established an AI-assisted 3D workflow using Meshy AI for rapid character prototyping, ensuring every visual element, from clan totems to desert environments, honored cultural authenticity while remaining optimized for Unity. My role focused on steering the visual pipeline to align with complex technical mechanics, including custom shaders for world-switching, motion-capture animation pipelines, and overall ambient storytelling within the Tejesueños narrative ecosystem.