Virtual career simulations
Designing interactive career simulations that let teenagers experience a profession through real-world tasks.
Role: Product / UX/UI Designer
Scope: UX flows, game mechanics, UI design, prototyping
Platform: Classroom use, desktop-only
Learn a profession by doing it
Instead of introducing professions through descriptions or quizzes, the platform lets teenagers step into a professional role and experience the work firsthand by solving simplified versions of real-world tasks. Each simulation combines theory, interactive tasks, hands-on practice, and a final challenge into one guided experience. To keep these scenarios grounded in reality, every flow was designed based on insights gathered through interviews with professionals working in the respective fields.
One profession = one journey
The mechanic had to explain the process rather than simply test the player’s existing knowledge. The Biomedical Engineer flow demonstrates this approach in action. The player joins Timur, a young scientist, and helps him develop a device designed to stimulate tissue regeneration.
The mechanic had to explain the process rather than simply test the player’s existing knowledge. The Biomedical Engineer flow demonstrates this approach in action. The player joins Timur, a young scientist, and helps him develop a device designed to stimulate tissue regeneration.
Introduction
Step 1. Learn terminology
The process begins with selecting a suitable biomaterial for the regenerative medicine that will be incorporated into the device. I introduced professional terminology through interaction, so the player learns the concepts in the context where they will later be used.
Step 2. Compare and choose
Once the player understands the criteria, those same properties become tools for evaluating and comparing real options. I designed the UX of each mechanic around the nature of the task—whether it involves reading, comparing, selecting, or experimenting—while varying the interactions throughout the experience to keep the gameplay engaging and prevent repetition.
Step 3. Experiment
Laboratory testing became a visual interaction. Instead of asking which solution is toxic as a simple quiz, the player observes experimental results and makes the conclusion.
The game not only helps players understand the essence of a profession but also builds relevant knowledge and skills along the way.
Step 4. Make the process interactive
Some professional processes could be translated into direct manipulation. Here, the player changes particle charges and filters the cell culture until the impurities are removed, and later checks the toxicity level using fluorescent lamp.
Step 5. Choose the perfect Device Design
Once the medical gel is ready, the player chooses the optimal device design by balancing efficiency, comfort, and safety.
Step 6. Final
Each interaction reflects a different stage of the professional workflow, while together they form a continuous journey from process to outcome.
One framework. Different professions. Different ways of thinking.
Scalability
The UI followed the same structure across all games: a header, instructions on the left, and an interactive area on the right. This consistency helped players navigate each new simulation faster while also simplifying design and development.
For mechanics that could work across multiple professions—such as matching terms with definitions or selecting cards in a quiz—I created reusable templates. At the same time, I designed unique mechanics where needed to better reflect real professional workflows and keep the gameplay varied and engaging.
The UI followed the same structure across all games: a header, instructions on the left, and an interactive area on the right. This consistency helped players navigate each new simulation faster while also simplifying design and development.
For mechanics that could work across multiple professions—such as matching terms with definitions or selecting cards in a quiz—I created reusable templates. At the same time, I designed unique mechanics where needed to better reflect real professional workflows and keep the gameplay varied and engaging.
I designed game flows for a wide range of professions, from genetic scientist to economist. The platform was introduced in schools across the country as a career guidance tool and received positive feedback from both students and teachers.
The goal wasn't to make work look like a game. It was to find the part of the work that could become one.
Designing these simulations taught me to look beyond interface patterns and start with the logic of the profession itself: what people observe, manipulate, calculate and decide — and how those actions can become meaningful interactions.
